This blog charts the path to our creation of valid and relevant Memorandum and Articles of Association for a Social Enterprise.
Most of us with an entrepreneurial spirit will trawl the internet to unearth an absolute goldmine of resources helpfully posted by a range of people and organisations.
Memorandums and Articles of Association are necessary to incorporate your new company – to define the scope of your organisation and form your company’s constitution.
October 2009 saw the final implementation of the Companies Act 2006, and this led to a problem. (This blog does not intend to identify the different changes that were implemented, you can find that here).
The problem was that I couldn’t find post-October model M&A’s for a Social Enterprise anywhere.
What Is A Social Enterprise
To track back slightly, to be a Social Enterprise consisted, in reality, of two main actions:
- Stating your social or community beneficiary in your Memorandum
- Stating that any assets left over from dissolving the company will be gifted to a similar organisation
This was easily understood when working with pre-Oct 09 model M&A’s available all over the internet (not least Social Enterprise East Midlands’ very own available straight from their website); it was easy to cut and paste these parts in worded for your own purposes, so long as the legal clauses weren’t changed.
So, I embarked on an extraordinarily lengthy process of discovery to my ultimate endpoint.
Can I Have Model Articles Please?
Firstly, I contacted the commercial organisations that offer incorporation, normally along with free this and that such as a bank account (example). As a Social Enterprise was not an ‘off-the shelf’ product I was invited to spend £250 to have a bespoke incorporation package. No thanks. NEXT!
Then I scoured the Business Link website to see if they offered model M&A’s. NOPE!
I spoke to seventeen (yes, that’s right 17) different so-called Social Enterprise and Third Sector advice or associated service organisations. The sum total of the expertise that I could muster through them amounted to either being pointed back to Business Link, or the humble admission that they didn’t know how to reflect a Social Enterprise in M&A’s post-Oct 09. The worst aspect of this was that no-one was able to offer a signpost to the right place.
Finally, I was able to get hold of a ‘Consultant’ who said that he would look over what I had cobbled together to see if it met the Social Enterprise needs and was legal. He then submitted an entirely different format for both M&A’s claiming that this was ‘easier’ yet they were based on the pre-Oct models.
Along the way I have had an assortment of ‘pay me’ options offered, but ethically I felt it was my duty to a) understand this process by being directly involved in it, and b) reduce the expenses burden on the Social Enterprise that I was setting up.
Companies House Saved The Day
I struggled on with two sets of documents, one being what I had cobbled together from Companies House models plus the Social Enterprise insertions; and the other being the Consultant’s Choice. I mapped every clause of each set out on paper, compared and contrasted, and finally settled on a final version.
Still wary of the legal implications of my home-made Articles (the main part of this task) I called Companies House to find out what the process would be if they rejected the M&A’s. Why make this call? Because that was the resoundingly repetitive warning that I heard throughout this whole information gathering exercise – ‘if you get them wrong Companies House will throw them back at you’. WRONG!
Companies House stated ‘we do not check them’. I was aghast!
The Ethical Kicker
Some may say that this means that I didn’t need to be so ‘anal’ about the M&A’s and that I could get away with just submitting standard Private Limited By Guarantee M&A’s. But my point is this: surely all businesses, and especially Third Sector and Social Firms and Enterprises should govern themselves by their M&A’s. This way they can display them as evidence of their ‘Social’ status, and be used as a guiding mandate, and universally understood by all Directors?
This may seem desperately simplistic, and you may even guffaw incredulously to even consider that Directors don’t already know the ins and outs of their M&A’s. I humbly submit that many don’t, and furthermore that some operate wide of their mandated aims.
This has been an incredible exercise and I feel informed, confident, and capable now that it is complete.
The new Social Enterprise is on it’s way to becoming incorporated, and the hope is that many will benefit from it’s activities.
Sometimes the long route is long, but definitely worth the journey.
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Is it possible to share articles of memorandum. We are starting a social enterprise and feel this is our ethical duty to get rigth from thr start.
Thanks
Mike
these have been sent to you Mike
It looks like you put in a lot of hard work forming your social enterprise! I hope its going well? Many Company Formation agents don’t deal with social enterprises or community interest companies much. So they don’t know what’s involved. At The Company Warehouse, we’ve helped many people get a social enterprise started and we know what’s required. Our specialist team are up to date on the changes made by the Companies Act 2006, so we’re a good alternative to trying (and struggling) to do it yourself. Take a look at our services:
http://www.thecompanywarehouse.co.uk/social-enterprise.asp
http://www.thecompanywarehouse.co.uk/community-interest-company.asp
Have you given thought to the new “Charitable Incorporated Organisation” body which will soon be available as an option for those setting up for the benefit of the public? Seems like it might be a good alternative. 🙂
It’s great that you commented and offered your services – thank you. We did look at the CIC, but we didn’t want the burden of additonal reporting in the early stages when every penny counts.
Well done on getting your social enterprise off the ground, I hope it is going well? Would it be possible to see a copy of the M&A?
Many thanks.
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
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Genial post and this enter helped me alot in my college assignement. Thanks you as your information.
Glad it helped. Good luck on the assignment.
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So…..these documents, can I see a copy, can I use them and adapt to my purpose instead of cobbling my own together?
Hope you got the document through and it was useful.
Can I please have a copy of your document as well…We are starting a social enterprise in Africa and want to compare different governance schemes. Thank you.
Of course, sent this morning. Hope they help.
I’ve been undertaking a similar exercise and still not able to find model M & A’s. Would you mind sending yours over as a starting point for me?
Of course – these have been sent.
Hi,
I found your article heartening to say the least. What would really realy help is that you could make your final articles of association available to others in the same position. It would make a huge difference.
My intentions are basically the same as yours. To set up a social enterprise and to understand the nuts and bolts of it in the process.
Even if you remove parts of the document that you would rather people not copy verbatim and insert headings like add objects here etc it would be so helpful.
More than happy to – I’ll send them through to your email address.
Dear struggler – so glad you got throgh it all and successfully. Often people charge to do stuff
Please can I have a copy too. You will save me so much trawling!
Thank you
Shula
Not too keen to be called a struggler, but thank you I guess! Email me your email address and I’ll send you a copy.
Like others I am struggling to get a good handle on the articles of association for Social Enterpise companies as there seems to be a dearth of such stuff. As I don’t like reinventing the wheel could you send me a copy of yours as they could be the answer to my prayers. I also want to set up an ethical company where things are transparent and understandable by all concerend.
They have just been sent – any more help, feel free to get in touch via the website.
We seem to be going on the same journey that you have completed. In the end we decided to do something similar to what you did. We are in the process of setting up a social enterprise limited by guarantee to provide information advice and training on social welfare law. Would be very grateful if you could send us a copy of your articles and memorandums to help us on our way.
Best wishes…..
Ali and Emma
These have been sent – hope they are of use.
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would it be possible to see a copy of your articles & memo of association? I’m currently trying to set up as a social enterprise as well and finding it hard to get any useful advice. Your help would be very much appreciated!!
Delighted to, I have emailed them to you.
Hello, I would also really appreciate a copy of your articles and memorandums if possible please. I am setting up a new social enterprise and having a look at your work woud be a great help. Many thanks.
Hello Andrew. Has been emailed to you. Any thing else I can do – please do get in touch.
Very interesting journey you’ve been on. I’ve found myself in a similar situation setting up a SocEnt with a colleague. In the end we just went for standard Limited Company Mem and Arts, but we want to change them to make our work transparent. So could we have a look at what you came up with so we can adapt it for our purposes?
Thanks.
Thank you for asking – sending it now.
Hi, I’d also be grateful for a copy of the documents
Thanks in advance
Emma
sent 🙂
Hi, I recently set up a social enterprise in the form of a Community Benefit Society, but am now looking into doing a socail enterprise for a company. Would be great to see what you ended up with.
And thanks for sharing.
Danni
Hi Danni
I am not too sure if the M&As is or needs to be the same for a Society, as these are specifically tailored for a Limited Company.
I would recommend taking a look at this link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1077475850&type=RESOURCES
The main issue for us was that the Social Enterprise M&As hadn’t been widely available in template form before or after the implementation of the Companies Act, but I think that you would be able to find more examples of M&As for a BenComs/IPS.
Best wishes to you though, and I have sent our to you on email.
Regards
Hello TCM,
I hope all’s going well. It looks like you’ve managed to write an article that ‘s relevant to a lot of people. Truly the Holy Grail of blogging! As a blogger myself I have to say excellent work!
I too am looking for M & As. I want to repurpose an old registered company which never got off the ground into a non-profit company limited by guarantee. As I understand it I only have to change the M & A, I haven’t searched much, but your website is right at the top of the search results. Just like all the above commenters, I would appreciate a copy to tailor for my use.
Thanks in advance. Joe.
Hello Joe – thanks for getting in touch and your kind words, you made my day! It’s great to know that a little bit of info can be so helpful. The M&As have been sent. Kind regards.
I have just read your great blog with a nervous smile, I have all this to come too. This page is the perfect starting point though with input from similar starters. Hopefully it will continue to expand with further useful comments.
Please could you do the honours with your M&A’s?
Very much appreciated TCM =)
That is very nice of you to say, M&As on their way to you. Best, TCM 🙂
Hi i’m just on that mission as we speak, would it be possible for you send a copy of the M&A over? Many thanks, much respect and best of luck for your venture.
Hi – this has been sent. Best wishes for your venture too.
I would be so greatfull if you could send me M & a’s. I like you did have been trying to get some advice on this for setting up a social enterprise but haven’t been very successful. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
My pleasure – these have been sent.
Hi TCM
A google search on articles social enterprise led me to your post
I think I’ve been on a similar journey whilst preparing to launch a company limited by guarantee with a social purpose
I too would be grateful if you could email me your M & A over – let me know if you have a charity you would like me to make a donation to in return
With regards
That is very kind of you indeed. I have sent you an email with the M&As. Best wishes.
Hello TCM,
I am soo glad I found your blog, It has been realy helpful 🙂 Searching for articles and things on how to st up a social enterprise has been doing my head in!
I would be very greatful if you could send me a copy of your M&A
I pray that you prosper in your ventures 🙂
Many thanks!
My pleasure – will send them vis email to you straight away.
I cannot begin to explain how much your blog has expressed my situation right now in exact words. I am going completely insane with this and also that every company I have been to for advice, has been saying one thing or the other – in all, everyone is saying something different and wanting to charge £250 for it.
Similar to yourself, I don’t have that kind of money to spend. I will be EXTREMELY grateful if you can send me the Articles you have developed.
We are looking at setting up a not-for-proft social enterprise, ltd by guarantee. Is that the same as yours?
My email is geetasarcar@gmail.com.
Thanks for getting in touch, and this has been sent. And yes, we are an Ltd by guarantee. So glad to be able to help out.
I sent you a previous mesg which didn’t go through. I have struggled like yourself with the post Oct09 model and am finding no help but being charged with £250 instead.
I have drafted something but I don’t have a clue if thats acceptable.Pls can you send me a copy of your Articles to geetasarcar@gmail.com.
I wish you all the very best with your venture!
Would you be kind enough to help me out too with a copy of your M&A’s. We are also battling trying to register our no profit SE, by community interst by garauntee… I would be more than happy to receive a copy.. My email is info@inhabit263.org
Good luck mate!
Of course – have sent them on email. Thank you for getting in touch. Hope the doc is of use to you.
Thank you for the information. Please could I also have a copy of the articles of association for a social enterprise. I am told by Co House, in order to omit ‘ltd’ I must state: a non profit distribution clause, a dissolution clause and the company’s objects must be of an assisting or charitable nature. Do yours cover these 3 requirements?
Many thanks for your help
Hi, have sent these and yes – they cover the 3 points 🙂
Could you please send me a copy of your Articles? I’m setting up a social enterprise and not sure of where to insert the Objects as these have to appear in the Articles of Association and not in the Memorandum as in the past. Many thanks. Julia.
More than happy to but I will need your email address 🙂
we are starting up a social enterprise and would really appreciate a copy of your M&As. are you aware of any differences that need to be considered in scotland?
Hi – I have sent them to you. The Companies Act 2006 affects ‘bodies incorporated in the UK’ so includes Scotland. There is a provision just for Scotland that you can read here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/part/4/crossheading/formalities-of-doing-business-under-the-law-of-scotland Hope this helps. TCM
Hello TCM,
Like many before; A google search on articles social enterprise led me to your post & the information you have given out is truly fantastic.
I started out with an idea back in May 2012 & am still trying to get to grips with the M & A, so your blog post is perfect for me. I am disabled & don’t have the money to employ a professional to help.
Your help is very much appreciated & I too would be grateful if you could email me your M & A
Many thanks, Bruce
thanks – these have been sent
TCM,
Thank you for all this information. Please could I also have a copy of the articles of association for a social enterprise. As with annabel I need a ‘non profit distribution clause, a dissolution clause and to make the company’s objects of an assisting or charitable nature. Please coud I also get a copy of your articles?
Thank you
Thank you, I have sent this. Best wishes.
can i also have an emailed copy?
Of course – sent one to you.
Hi, like everyone else, I would be very grateful if you could send me a copy of the M & A’s? It’s been a nightmare trying to sort this out over the last couple of weeks, until I stumbled across your blog. Many thanks, Chris
Thanks Chris, this has been sent along with an invitation to the LinkedIn group. It seems you and I aren’t the only ones who have found support and information lacking.
I have recently set up a social enterprise in the heritage sector, ltd by guarantee. I set it up with the model articles from Companies House but really need to amend these to our actual aims as a social enterprise. It was really interesting to find so many others in the same situation, and I’m still amazed that there is no real provision of advice for social enterprise from places such as business link and Scottish Enterprise (when I was first looking into it all I was just sent back and forth between the two…). I was wondering therefore if it would be possible to see a copy of your articles in order to update and improve ours? Great to see there are still people out there who really want to help others. Best wishes, Ian
Thanks for getting in touch Ian. I have sent these to you. You are absolutely right that the provision is lacking. As I suggested to another poster, maybe we could all keep in touch and offer each other advice and support as we all get to different stages in our Social Enterprises. I’ve set up a group on LinkedIn – you should get an invite soon.
Hello,
I’m so glad I came across this post! In the process of starting up a social enterprise myself, I have struggled to get practical advice from the various 3rd sector agencies and I want to make sure I have the right accountability measures in from the start. Could I please have a copy of your memorandums and articles of association?
Much appreciated!
Vidya
On their way to you. I think that it is better to keep in touch with a group of like-minded individuals or entrepreneurs that are at various stages themselves. The agencies haven’t been great in supporting many people that I talk to. You are welcome to keep in touch, I’d love to know how you get on.
Hi – like so many others, the work you’ve done to prepare model M&As for a social enterprise could well be the answer for a new social enterprise that we’re setting-up. We don’t really want to be a cic, but we do have strong social objectives. If you could send us a copy of them, we’d much appreciate it.
Hi Jules, thanks for getting in touch. The docs have been sent. I hope that a Social Enterprise works for you. Let me know if I can be of any further help.
Can you send me a copy of your articles and memorandums
Hi, like everyone else, I would be very grateful if you could send me a copy of the M & A’s? not a lot of info out there, until I stumbled across your blog. Many thanks, James
Hi James, thank you for getting in touch – these have been sent.
Thank you for getting in touch – these have been sent.
Hi, I have read your article with interest as I am also investigating the process for setting up a social enterprise. I would be grateful if you could send me a copy of the mems and arts that you finally decided on.
thanks for sharing your experience with us it is very helpful.
Mark
Hi Mark, these have been sent – I hope they help.
Hi, we are in the process of setting up a young adults with disabilities social enterprise and we also are having a trying time finding M & As. Everyone thinks we are loaded and want to charge us for help setting up but we would rather spend what little money we have on activities for our members. We would be grateful if you could email us a copy. Thank you. Regards Andy
Hi Andy, thanks for the request – these have been sent. Best wishes for your SE.
Hi TCM
An excellent piece! Thank you for sharing so generously. We’re starting up as a social enterprise reconnecting Londoners with the great outdoors – education, ecology, creativity and more. We would be very grateful for a copy of your M&A too if you won’t mind sending them! Business Link should employ you as a consultant!
Two Penny’s in a row! That was confusing 🙂 If you are harbingers I am happy. Have sent you an email. Thank you for being so complimentary, I am delighted to help.
(oops, I hit comment before finishing with…)
Thank you,
Penny
Hi TCM
Really great piece! We are (like everyone else) struggling with the same thing. I would really appreciate a copy of your M&As to compare with what we have so far. Thank you for being so generous.
All the best,
Penny
Thanks for getting in touch, and the lovely compliment – I have emailed you.
Hi TCM
I see a long list of SE’s struggling with this – the same as I am. You appear to be the saviour in terms of M&A’s. Would you be so kind as to send me a copy for reference?
Best Regards
Andy
haha – you are very kind and complimentary, thank you. (As a Christian I can’t accept your honour though) Email has been sent, I hope they are of use, have a great day.
What an interesting article. I was searching the internet for the very said document. Would it be possible to send me a copy also. I was just studying my current M&A to see how I could add to it, I trust your dociment will help. Best wishes
Thank you! Have sent it to you, hope it helps.
Had been struggling, a good friend showed me this article. Please, if possible could I have a copy so I can fine tune the doc we had come up with, which by the way we have been advised would not be accepted…..
Sent – hope they are of use. Say thanks to your friend for me!
Hi TCM,
Would you mind sending me a copy of your articles of association for your social enterprise.
Thanks very much!
Eric
Hey Eric – have just sent this to you. Best wishes
Hi, like so many others above, I have been having a similar journey and feel almost relieved to have read this blogpost (which helpfully google found for me!) I’d really appreciate a copy of the articles you produced if you wouldn’t mind sharing – I am in the process of setting up a social enterprise and this would really help me a lot.
Hi Mary, readers like you and Google have made this post easy t find so thank you! I have sent the doc by email. best wishes.
Hello
I am also setting up a social enterprise that has been formed as a limited company. I would be extremely grateful if you could share your articles of association. Thanks so much!
Saffron
Hi, thanks for getting in touch – this has been sent by email. Best wishes
Hello TCM
I am in the process of setting up a social enterprise for equine assisted learning for trauma sufferers….have been cobbling together a M&A from private ltd co and CIC model rules then found this blog. Would really appreciate seeing where you got to.
Thanks & Regards,
Sun Tui
What an interesting line of work! I have sent the doc – hope it helps.
Hi
Thank you for your extensive work. I am struggling to set up a CIC. I’ve downloaded a template for M&A from http://www.bis.gov.uk/cicregulator/website and have started adapting it to suit our purpose. While the Articles seems comprehensive, the Memorandum is under a page long and incomplete. Could you pass me your template, please? Thank you!
Thanks for getting in touch – this has been sent, hope it is of use.
Hello,
We are trying to set up a Social Enterprise Limited by Guarantee and I’ve spent all week trying to put our documents together (without much success!). Please could we also request a copy of your template?
Many thanks,
Sue
Hello Sue, this has been sent to you. All the best.
Another one here! Researching the options for setting up a se and keen to see how this looks in m and A’s. Would be great to have a look at what you have put together. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure – sent! Best wishes
Hello
I have found your blog through google. I have also been struggling to put together the proper Memorandum and Articles for the social enterprise that I am about to start. Despite many days of research I have been unable to find any real help. It is very frustrating as I just want to get on with the social enterprise. I would be most grateful if you would share a copy of your template.
Done! Have a great day, and thanks for getting in touch.
Hi,
As everyone else on this blog I have been struggling with M&A’s for a while. And very similar situation with yourself I have gone through asking for help for a while with no luck. As we are already set up as an unincorp org. & we want to grow. I am so glad that I have come across your site & would be very grateful if I may also have a copy of your M&A’s.
Also want to thank you for helping with the information from above & that I am not the only one struggling.
I hope I will be able to help others too, so thank you again.
My pleasure – this has been sent. Keep in touch and let me know how it goes.
I am looking to establish a social enterprise providing small communities of Extra Care homes to older and frail people. The opportunity to read and learn from your M&As would be invaluable.
This has been sent – hope it helps, it sounds very much like a worthy cause.
Hi,
We’re just in the process of changing our existing ltd co into a social enterprise and need to amend our M&As. Could you please email a copy so I have a basis for our amends.
Many thanks
This has been sent – hope it helps.
Hi
I’m setting up a social enterprise limited by guarantee and would very much appreciate a copy of your M&A’s as am struggling to find much in the way of help
Many thanks
This has been sent – hope it helps.
As everyone else on this site, I have trawled the web trying to look for example mem & arts for a social enterprise and came up with nothing of any use. I am trying to setup a social enterprise (company limited by guarantee) that offers gardening and arts activities to people with long term health conditions and in particular those with mild to moderate mental health problems.
Would it be possible to to send me a copy of your m & As please. It would be much appreciated.
Tracey
This has been sent – thank you for getting in touch, hope it helps.
Please could you send me a copy too? I am setting up a social enterprise working with young people in music. I too am struggling and being offered “help” for £120. Would be much appreciated. Regards Kirsty
Please could you send me a copy too? I am setting up a social enterprise working with young people in music and have been offered “help” for £120. Would be much appreciated.
Regards
Kirsty
Of course – have sent them. £120? Crazy.
Hi, I’m in the process of setting up a social enterprise (CLG) with charitable aims to work with young people in London. I want different classifications of membership which will ensure 50% of the Directors are young people aged between 26 – 21. I also want 50% of the Directors to ‘stand down’ annually but be eligible for re-election
I wonder if your articles would lead me some way to achieving this? If so I would be really grateful for a copy
Many thanks in advance
Mike
Sounds like a great project. Hope this helps. I have sent the document to you and you can amend the way your organisation works within the articles.
Hi,
I’m setting up a social enterprise- an independent housing developer that seek to work in partnership with other private, non-profits and public sector organisations to deliver low-cost housing. I would very much appreciate a copy of your M&A’s. My private email is mauricent@hotmail.com.
this has been sent – hope it is useful 🙂
Hiya TCM, my story is the same as most of those above and so glad to find your fabbo site! I am about to set up a local Community driven Org to assist in arts, training and inspiration and to aim to give something back to others (not that I have much myself:) Could you please be so kind as to send us a copy of your M&As please?
this has been sent – hope it is of use 🙂
As many others, I’d be grateful for copy of M&As please.
Also did you investigate advantages/disadvantages of CIC route? Curious about any conclusions. Thanks.
Hi, this has been sent. Regarding CIC – we made a decision that the amount of admin required was counter-intuitive to us as we are doing this in spare time. Also, there is a tide turning (*in a good way) in terms of Social Enterprises as Ltd Co.’s being recognised as true Social Enterprises based on their activities and M&As as more and more corporates include Social Enterprise in their portfolio.
Thanks TCM for reply. Apols pls re-send to davo@ruthvenstuart.co.uk.
brilliant, thanks – these have been sent
this just came back as undelivered so I will need an email address from you.
You journey is becoming a shared journey.Looking for social enterprise information and draw to your journey would be so greatful if you could send me the M & As you developed.
I like your authentic journey which has been educational for many who have written you.I have been trying to get some advice on r setting up a social enterprise but haven’t been very successful. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
TK
This has been sent – and if I can be of any more help, do let me know.
We are just another formative Social Enterprise following the well trodden path to your door regarding Mem’s and Art’s! Our project is health based targeting urban areas and ethnic groups in the West Midlands. May I request a copy of your documents. Thank you for providing a valuable testimony and real help to so many.
Thank you for getting in touch – these have been sent 🙂
Hi Emma, thanks for your lateral thinking. I am willing to change my m&A to officially state our remit – supporting women social entrepreneurs – and yet keeping the freedom that company limited by shares offers. Really eager to read your m&a to see how it fits. Did you know as well that Social Enterprise Mark was also open to out of the box M&A’s (to a certain degree..!) and charitable founders such as Esmee Fairbairn as well? Another structure worth looking at is Buzzbnk, the first LLP social enterprise! How cool is that!..
thanks for all that info – hope that M&As fit for you
Have just read your blog and 18 months later there is still a dearth of information about Social Enterprise M&As. We are setting up a Social Enterprise for counselling parents whose children have died, could I have a copy of your M&As pleasde.
I know! It drives me a little to distraction – surely it is exactly this type of thing that is needed right at the start! I’ve sent these. I hope they are of use.
Could you send me a copy of your documents. I am trying to setup a Social Enterprise to help carers and adults with learning difficulties. It would be extremely helpful if you could send the above having scoured the web for examples.
Absolutely! Happy to help. These have been sent.
May I have a copy too please? A pound a time and you would be at least a round of drinks better off 🙂
What a great idea! We have been trawling around to find information and would be grateful if you could send a copy to our new and up and coming Social Enterprise. I would be very grateful.
Many thanks
Marguerite
thank you! glad it is of use, they have been sent. Apologies for the delay TCM
Hi TCM, I left a request earlier. I am now acutely jealous of the other people that have been enlightened! 🙂 Could you email me them again as an attachment. This is a great creative commons contribution you have made, thank you!
These have been sent. Hope they are of use.
We are turning out Ltd. company into a Social Enterprise and could really use some help, could we also have a copy?
many thanks!
Best wishes for that! These have been sent. Hope they are of use.
Great article and still meeting a need 2.5 years after writing which is eons in blogging timescales!
I’ve been searching for information on this topic for days and not come up with anything that gives me great confidence and I’m still not even sure whether the Objects clause should be in the Memorandum or the Articles of Association. So would be very grateful if you could send me your M&A documents. Many thanks.
Hi – these have been sent. I hope they are of use, and thank you for your kind words.
Hello Sir, I am from Nigeria. I have been scouring the internet looking for sample of article and memorandum of a social enterprise. I want to set up one in my community. Can you be kind enough to send me a copy of your own. my email is a.motaj@gmail.com
Thanks wole
hello, these have been sent.
HI, could you send me a copy of yor M&A documents. We are in the process of setting up a social enterprise and we could not find M&A document which we can use as a sample. Thank you.
Hi, these have been sent
Another request for a copy of the MOA here please! I’ve been struggling with this for months, and it’s especially important that we get our MOA’s right as we are going down the SEIS/EIS route with a ridiculously short time to secure the funding, that we can’t afford not to get things right first time. :S
Thanks in advance!
These have been sent, apologies for the delay – hope they are still of use.
pls send me the smaple article and meof of asso.
ths hv bn snt 😉
Hello, I would also like to convey my thanks for all your hard work that has smoothed the way forwards for so many people. Like the others could I please ask for copy of the M & As when you have the time to send them please? My email is robveater@hotmail.com
you’re very kind to say, thank you. I have sent them just now.
Hi, we wish to establish ourselves as a Social Enterprise and I have just come across your blog in my research. You have helped so many people and I’d be grateful to see a copy of the M&As you came up with. Many Thanks
Hi, these have been sent, with pleasure.
Hi TCM
I have a limited company I’m looking to turn into a social enterprise. Joining a long queue of people who would love to have a look at your final articles to work from in drafting mine if at all possible.
As an aside, has anyone ever asked to see your AoA, e.g. when seeking funding etc.? I’m just wondering whether they are ever actually needed externally.
Thanks so much
Paul
Hi, thanks for getting in touch. These have been sent and I have given you a glimpse of our experiences too. Hope it helps. Best, TCM
Hi TCM, I left a request earlier. I am now acutely jealous of the other people that have been enlightened! Could you email me them again as an attachment. This is a great creative commons contribution you have made, thank you!
Thank you – good idea. Want to start? 🙂 I’ve just sent them. Apologies for the delay.
It has been so helpful to read through this discussion – thank you so much. If you could send a copy of your M&As to me that would be really helpful too.
thank you for saying! these have been sent 🙂
Fantastic. Four months of umming and ahhing through a bog of councils, advice agencies, national gurus and even my accountant ducked this one – ha! Please may we also have a copy of your M&A’s so we can get close to what we want with confidence. Thank you and well done on a great article …. would you mind if I shared it on my blog/facebook?
hi Mal – so glad to be able to help, it sounds as if you hit the same blocks as me. Feel free to share, this is by far my most popular blog because we are all in the same position!
Due to a technical hitch we have lost the copy of the articles that you kindly sent and we would like to have another emailed over please.
Thank you for your help, we are most grateful.
Hi great topic. Like you I have been talking to organisations about how to start a social enterprise. One organisation said that their help was free if I was a social enterprise, but as I was not as yet they would charge me £2500 to help get me started, then once up and running any further help would be free.
Anyway would you be prepare to share to articles please?
Thanks William
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
@TCM. Wow you have been busy. I have just read your article and all the above comments, i have the same issues, its hard to find a format for the M&A’s. I didnt realise there were so many other people with similar issues, you have helped alot of peeps. I am alos in the process of incorporating a SE, would it be possible you sent me your version for me to tailor at dannymak@dirtfactory.org . Regards
thanks – these have been sent
@TCM. Great article, cant believe there are so many people with similar issues. Im also in the process of setting up a SE and came accross similar problems, lack of guidance/format. I searched for help and this was at top of search listings. I would be so grateful if you could share your m&a’s.
Regards
Danny
thanks – these have been sent
So lucky to have found your site and I would really appreciate it if you could send me a copy of the M&A for social enterprise. We have just set up a trading company and we want to ensure it is a model social enterprise.
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
I would really appreciate if you could send copy of Social Enterprise M&A, thank you for providing, it is a real help to our charity as we start out on the road of setting up a new trading sub.
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Hi TCM
Your Blog certainly gives the clearest insights I have found when looking to find suitable M&As by searching the internet. I’m in the process of founding a Social Enterprise music and arts company in England and need to get the M&As right, so would be so grateful if you could please send me a copy.
Many Thanks
Barry
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Hi, Well as with others, struggling through the mire of setting up a social enterprise. Would really appreciate it if you could email a copy of your model articles, it would save a significant ammount of time and hassle going through the same process and straight line learning curve.
Happy to add in anything we learn in the process if that would be of use.
Thanks in anticipation,
Roy.
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Wow you have hit the nail right on the head with this issue, just the same as all the others can I please have a copy of your m&a’s?
heathmonaghan@yahoo.com
Thanks
Thank you! You are very kind. These have been sent.
HI there, I’d be very greatful if you could please send me a copy of your M & A. This is exactly what we’re looking for too.
many thanks
Have sent these – thanks for getting in touch.
Hi, Thanks for writing this blog. I’m starting a social enterprise but as everyone has discovered, it’s really hard to find templates for M&As. Could I also have a copy of what you’ve produce please? Thanks in advance.
You are most welcome – and they are on their way to you
Hi there, please could you send us a copy of your M & A too? Thank you so much for running this useful blog. Much appreciated.
Of course! On their way 🙂
I too have been struggling with this issue. I’ve had a business advisor who has set up SEs before (or so he claims) but still uses the same old forms. I’ve been over and over these, written and discarded my own, twice, searched the net, found loads of information but am still unsure. We are supposed to be signing the Companies House forms on Friday but I would welcome looking over your M&A if possible, Truly glad I found this blog. I thought I was going mad!
Hi – great blog! If you could please send a copy of the Articles, that would be much appreciated? Many thanks!
These have been sent – thank you for getting in touch.
I thought I was in the 9th circle of business research hell! … 2013 and still no SE Mems & Articles with example social objects in. I’m reasonably bright, I can do research – and object paying for a SE set up, but still no one’s telling me what I need to do! Sheesh. It would make my day if you sent over yours so I could check them out.
hahahaaaa – this made me laugh XD I’ve just sent them to you.
Hi there. Am sure you must be tired of being asked for copies of your M&As by now, but we’d be very grateful if you could forward us a copy of your templates. Many thanks!
Of course, will send this shortly.
Hi TCM. I’m not sure how you have time to do anything else but send out copies of your M&A?! Seems as though everyone needs a copy. At the risk of perpetuating your task, please could I have a copy as well? We are still debating whether to set up a CLS or CLG? I take it that your M&A relates to the latter, but I suspect I would be able to adapt to either case.
Hi, thanks for getting in touch. This has been sent. Hope it goes well.
Hi there, we went though a similar process 3 years ago.
It was tortuous. With the millions spent on all the ‘bodies’ and ‘advisors’ we found they were at best ‘talking shops’. We managed to cobble something together as well.
We’re currently trying to get Rate exemption (Northern Ireland) where it’s applied by the Rates Agency rather than local council.
This will be a first if it happens, apparently.
The Rates Agency have decided our articles aren’t specific enough. The Judge has decided that we have a case but must change our Articles to satisfy that Rates Agency.
We’re sort of back are square one.
Could we have a quick look through your M&A – it might help.
S
I can’t believe that these ‘talking shops’ are still ongoing and that they haven’t been forced to deliver something more tangible. Hope the doc I have sent you is of some use.
Dear TCM, it does seem there are a lot of us out there needing this support and guidance. I certainly do, I have been in touch with Companies House, local Business advisers and trawled the internet but with few results. Am very pleased I came across you blog and found that I am not alone. It would be great if I could please have a copy of your M&A to refer to in developing our own. Thank you very much in advance.
Hi TCM, I’m right at the beginning of this process and not sure which way to go just yet, would you mind if I took a look at your M&As too, to try and inform the process?!
Amazing blog post – so great to find something so clear and helpful with such simple generosity throughout all of your replies – I hope karma’s being very good to you 😉
Thanks for all of the above, much appreciated.
You are very kind, I have sent this and hope it is of some use to you.
Dear TCM, Having found your blog at the start of my Social Enterprise journey last year it seems your work is the resource that most of us need, and struggle to find elsewhere. Thank you and … could I see a copy please! …. and do pop into the Mendip Hub when we open July 2013.
Hi, these have been sent.
Thank you so much for getting in touch.
Do let me know when you are open – any excuse to visit that part of the world is always welcome 🙂
Please could you send them to me too? It would be greatly appreciated 🙂
Hi, hope they were of use. Thanks for getting in touch.
And I thought it was just me! We are turning our business into a social enterprise (although just found out that we could have called ourselves a social enterprise for years!) but want to make sure we get the M&A correct. I have been ringing, searching, talking, blogging etc etc to try and get a definitive answer to what needs to be in M&As for a social enterprise – no-one seems to know. I too would be eternally grateful if you could send over a copy. I really think that one of the Social Enterprise orgs should have several examples and make them readily accessible. In the meantime thanks very much for providing this invaluable service!
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
hello
same problem for me! any chance I could possibly see a copy of yours too?!
many thanks!
bd
Hi, hope they were of use. Thanks for getting in touch.
Hi TCM,
I have been researching about M&A and I am so glad I came across your blog! I started to worry that Social Enterprises are almost impossible to set up! Would you be so kind and email me a copy of M&A please? Much appreciated.
Sorry for the delay – these have been sent.
Hi,
I have just started a process of forming not a social enterprise, but a Social Enterprise Association in my country in Africa. Confirm, as I understand it the social enterprise and the social enterprise association are different, if so an idea how best I can structure the association. Here I am looking at two main objectives, first advocacy of social enterprises and then logistical support for those requiring to set up social enterprises. Eventually once well established we want to knock on doors of non social enterprises to pay meaningful support on corporate social responsibility unlike current lip service models that I see in my country just to pacify society and appear if much is done by corporates yet nothing meaningfull is done.
Thank you very much for your post. Its so relevant to what I am working on. I hope you will derect me to someone who has just set up a Social Enterprise Association in their country. or someone might read my post and help. The beauty of blogging.
Hi
Thank you for getting in touch.
As far as I am aware, you can still use the M&As as they are relevant to the legal status – and if you ensure that your objectives are ‘social’ then you can claim the status. I removed a lot of reference to ‘membership’ from my M&As as we weren’t operating in that manner, but it seems that this may be a viable option for you.
In the UK, we can choose (as a legal status): limited company; charity; co-operative; industrial and provident society; or community interest company.
Hope this helps.
TCM
hi. Is it possible to share your articles of association? We are starting our social enterprise here in Malaysia, and there is no information available that will help us in the process.
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Hi, I would really appreciate seeing your M&As as well – I want to alter my existing articles to better reflect my company’s social mission and it would be huge help to see yours. Thanks.
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Hello,
I have been going round and round in circles about the M&As for weeks and I can’t believe my luck in stumbling across this bog.
Is there any chance you could send me a copy? hbrittaine@yahoo.co.uk
Many, many thanks in advance! 🙂
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Hi TCM, may I have a copy too? Just going through the same process…
Thanks,
Zoe
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Hi there. Like many others have come across your useful blog and would really like to see a copy of your M+A please? Many thanks, Andy
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Hi
I would be so very grateful if I could see a copy of your articles. Thank you very very much.
Best Regards,
Alice
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Any chance you could share the MOA? Starting a social enteprise and having a hard time with the Moa
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Hello, Many thanks for your post from a couple of years ago, the situation out there is still the same. Why cannot one of the support bodies provide templates?! I am also trying to set up a social enterprise, would prefer a limited company, with clear clauses so a minimum of 51% of profit is reinvested, with openness for future equity investors. Please may I also receive a copy!
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Great post, many thanks.
Like many who’ve replied here, I’m about to do this for my social enterprise. If you could share your M&A with me, I would really appreciate it!
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Hello, I came across your very-useful blog post while searching for information on incorporation of a social enterprise. I would appreciate it if you could send me a copy of your M&A for reference when putting together the incorporation documents for our company.
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Hi there
Loved your article and in the process of pulling together all these things. It would be brilliant if I could get a copy of your M&A which I could then modify for our own uses. Would you mind sending me a copy?
Kirsten
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Dear TCM,
Thank you for providing such a comprehensive resource.
I am in the process of setting up my social enterprise Articles of Association and Shareholders Agreements.
Would it be possible to have copies of yours which we can then amend to suit our needs?
Many thanks,
Alexander
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Hi TCM,
Just stumbled upon your site along with its advice and have spent an hour reading the timeline of comments and requests which makes inspiring reading. If it’s not too late I would be eternally grateful if you would forward me anything you have in respect of setting out M&As for a community wood recycling project that I’m trying to get off the ground. . Best regards, Bob
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Hello TCM,
I am also just about to incorporate my UK social enterprise. I would very much appreciate it if you would send me a copy of your M&As. Thanks in advance.
Helen
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Hi
I really appreciate this blog and am in the process of supporting the development of a social enterprise.I would like to compare a CIC with a social enterprise company ltd by guarantee in terms of governance and would like a copy of your Mems and Articles.This would be greatly appreciated – I echo many of the comments above that it is hard to find straightforward answers from many sources.. MP
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Hi TCM,
Thank you for writing this post. I am setting up a Social Enterprise down here in Kent that will provide Digital Apprenticeships for aspiring software developers and would love to have a look at the Articles of Association and Memoranda that you have discuss here.
The company will be limited by shares, but we want to qualify for the Social Enterprise Mark and need to ensure that we get our constitution correct and it sounds like you might be able to provide a good starting point to what we need to do to achieve this.
this has been sent – hope it’s of use 🙂
Thanks very much for this TCM, great article and more helpful than anything else the mighty google returned. Please may I request a cop of the M&A’s also as I am in the process of setting up a social enterprise for digital magazines in the community. Thanks again
This has been sent – best wishes for your SE.