1st Steering Committee Meeting
Read this material beforehand, but complete it as soon as possible after the meeting
This meeting should tackle key issues, such as:
An example of this is the charter process of the SEAI’s Sustainable Energy Community Program (SEC), which you can find HERE.
The example of the Energy Co-operative on the Aran Islands (Comharchuman Fuinnimh Oiléain Árainn) are a good example of a set of aims for a community energy organisation.
Key questions to be answered are:
Some decisions can only provisionally made but the geography, the focus, and the degree of openness are key and should be made at the initial meeting. Bear in mind that trusted community organisations are open to all, have a clear focus and a defined geography.
The meeting should identify two people who will put in the time to examine the two appropriate structures of Community Organisation: Company Limited by Guarantee, and Co-operative. There is a good resource for community groups to help decide on appropriate corporate structures – HERE
This is a guide from The Wheel for proper governance of community organisations – HERE
The meeting should also recruit members to bring its membership up to a minimum of seven adults. These will have to commit to participating at meetings once a month.
Similarly, identify someone to prepare for a stakeholder map at the next meeting. This is a process whereby the committee members find out who else they know who has relevant skills, has a policy or decision-making role in the area, or is connected with other community groups: there is a useful stakeholder mapping tool – HERE