PREMISES ‘TALKING CO-OP’
We will be holding our premises ‘Talking Co-Op’ on September 14th from 6.30 to 8 pm at the Fumbally Stables. We will have an update on our premise situation and will discuss our HELP US GROW fundraising campaign, new volunteer roles and the next steps for the organisation. Please do try and make it along, this is going to be a very special meeting!
HELP US GROW! FUNDRAISING UPDATES
We have had an amazing response from Co-op members and supporters since we launched our ‘Help Us Grow’ campaign two weeks ago.
We have received €3,000 in donations and members purchasing lifetime memberships, we have had over €20,000 pledged to us in member loans so far. Many thanks to our members and supports that have donated and loaned, you really have helped to change the history of our Co-op.
Reaching our targets – Gofundme launch!
Our target is to raise €40,000 in member loans and €20,000 in donations and although we are doing very well we still have a long way to go!
We have just launched our Co-op Gofund me page to make it easier for people to donate. If you have not donated please visit our Gofund me and Website fundraising page links here and donate what you can here
If you are interested in helping fund the Co-op’s transition through a member loan, please email our Secretary at secretary@dublinfood.coop. Our fundraising team will email you an information pack relating to how you can make a loan to the Co-op.
We have extended our fundraising deadline until the 30th of September so there is still time to donate and to spread the word, tell your friends, family, everyone you know to support the coop and Help Us Grow!
VOLUNTEERING
Experienced shop volunteers needed for cover
Two of our staff members are injured at present so we will need all hands on deck from experienced volunteers over the next few weeks. The shifts that most need to be covered are Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays – if you can do a few hours on any of these days over the coming weeks please email amy@dubinfood.coop to let her know your availability.
Manual handling training for new volunteers
We have not taken on any new volunteers since the transition to our Market layout due to lack of space and resources. We are now in a position to train volunteers again and the next training will be manual handling training on the 18th of September at 6.40 – 8.30. If you are interested in volunteering in the shop but have not done the training please email helprota@dublinfood.coop to book a place on the course. All volunteers must be trained in manual handling before they begin to volunteer in the shop.
Bloggers wanted!
We are looking for experienced bloggers and writers to be involved in our communications team. If you would be interested in writing blog posts for our website on the themes of sustainability, food sovereignty, the zero waste movement, cooperatives and community please email info@dublinfood.coop.
Event organiser wanted!
We are looking for an experienced event organiser to help us organise two events as part of our ‘Help Us Grow’ campaign. If you would like to take on organising a dinner for the Co-op or a Co-op night out at the end of September then please contact Aoife at info@dublinfood.coop.
TÚS SCHEME INITIATIVE
The DFC is now a participant in the Tús community employment scheme. The Tús initiative is a community work placement scheme providing short-term working opportunities for unemployed people. We have been working with our local Area partnership in the past months to organise a scheme that is suitable for the Co-op and our members.
We have 2 positions available starting in October and November, the positions will be in our Co-op shop and in administration. All positions are for 19.5 hours a week. The contract is for 12 months.
If you have been unemployed and in receipt of social welfare payments for 12 months and are interested in this position and able to begin work in October please contact info@dublinfood.coop for more information.
SPECIAL THANKS TO SHOP STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
Lastly, we would like to say a big thank you to our shop team, they have been run off their feet the past few months. The shop staff and volunteers have managed to keep going under an incredible amount of pressure and are always able to keep upbeat and in good humour!
Yours in Cooperation,
The Co-op team