iNet Interpreting Ltd

What is a Co-operative

The first iteration of iNet Interpreting was in 2011 under the umbrella of Signing Network CIC. The model used was that of a cooperative as it was felt that this would best represent its members. A cooperative emphasises collective bargaining power, equity in having a voice about how it is run and utilises social capital.  

A key part of a cooperative is the equity that members have in voting rights. The Directors of iNet Interpreting Ltd are all non-remunerated volunteers. All members of the cooperative have given their time, energy, and skills pro bono to the cooperative and to the community. In return, they get a share of the paid work in the form of bookings that are generated from the work done by the cooperative. One such example of this is the contract we service to the University Hospitals of Leicester. No decisions are taken without a full vote undertaken by all members of the coop and the majority vote is always followed.  

iNet Interpreting is a not-for-profit company and, although the interpreters are all freelance professionals and are paid for the work they do, the surplus that is generated by iNet is put back into the community and goes towards keeping the centre open, offering employment opportunities and specific projects/worthy causes. 

Social capital can be defined as the network of relationships among people who live and work in a particular community and who enable that community to function effectively.   

It involves the effective functioning of social groups through interpersonal relationships, a shared sense of identity, a shared understanding, shared norms, shared values, trust, cooperation, and reciprocity.  

Social capital is a measure of the value of the resources, both tangible (e.g., public spaces, private property) and intangible (e.g., human capital, people, volunteered time, pro bono work), and the impact that these relationships have on the resources involved in each relationship, and on larger groups. It is generally seen as a form of capital that produces public goods for a common purpose. In our case this common purpose is the Deaf Community and striving to remove the barriers that society puts in their way.