How are we going to create the cooperative in a meaningful and tangible way? What is the purpose of the cooperative and what will it do, what will members do within it? How will the cooperative operate, the protocols, the functions, and the rules and regulations?
Definition from wiki pedia: Steering Committee
A
steering committee is a body within an enterprise that supports the
steering of its actions. Its main concern is making strategic decisions
concerning future realization of the enterprise’s investment projects.
It makes decisions about which of the presented projects will be
realized, and which will not. It is responsible for the management and
monitoring of a long-term project, which means that it controls the
realization of the project at the strategic level, verifies the
project’s coherence with established aims, and keeps established frames
such as range, costs and deadlines. Should any changes in the project
happen, they must be first presented and accepted by a member of the
steering committee. Only in the case of acceptance are the changes
introduced to the project. The steering committee assesses and accepts
the changes by means of consensus. It deals also with coordination and
coherence with other realized projects. The steering committee creates
working groups and chooses experts, with whom the enterprise will work
to realize the project. The manager of a project is accountable for a
project in front of the committee.
How long will it take for the steering committee to actually codify the cooperative? That depends on who is doing the work and what communication is going on. It could go at a slow pace or the pace could be quickened if we wish. We decide. It could take 6 months or take a year! It could take a week, or a month! Let's find out. Can we set a deadline? To give some sort of schedule and to set the pace, a goal to accomplish this within a set amount of time. Do we not need this cooperative as soon as possible? Reasons for this, in a separate post.
Let's use this post as the thread for comments and work of the steering committe. I can think of no better function for it...........
What Is the Function of a Steering Committee?
Quick Answer reference.com
The function of a steering committee is to provide support, advocacy and enablement for the projects which they oversee. A steering committee is not designed to actually manage or run a project, and should be kept from doing so. Rather, the steering committee should facilitate the project manager's ability to plan and direct a given project, giving advice and support along the way.Full Answer
Steering committees function best when the scope of their responsibilities and purposes are clearly defined. They often function as a decision-making body, determining the budgets, time lines and personnel for the projects they oversee. A steering committee should not be loaded up with members who are not needed; instead, every member on the committee should have a specific function tied to oversight, recording of decisions, budgeting or other specific skills needed depending on the project.At times, steering committees have been known to get too involved with the projects they are supposed to be providing oversight for, and they begin to take an overly active role in the management of the project. When this occurs, someone on or off the committee must remind the steering committee of its advisory role in the project, directing the focus back onto the project itself and what needs to be done to bring it to a successful conclusion.
