ICOS welcomes enquiries from agricultural and rural related co-operatives who feel that they might benefit from the services provided by our organisation.

See the ‘Summary of Services’ section below, which gives a brief explanation of the services offered by ICOS Ltd. to co-operative societies who become affiliated members.

If you feel that your Society would be interested in the services offered to co-operative societies by ICOS Ltd., please bring the information to the attention of your Board/Committee of Management and ask them to complete FORM A to apply for membership of ICOS Ltd.

Should you require further information please call 01 6131316 or e-mail info@icos.ie

Summary of Services

Membership of ICOS entitles co-operatives to a range of services, which are designed to assist co-operatives run their activities in a legally correct and efficient business manner. Since ICOS derives its income from annual affiliation fees, the level of service provided to an individual co-operative must bear a relationship to the amount of fee paid.  The level of affiliation fee to be paid is determined by the delegates from the member societies at the ICOS Annual General Meeting each year.  In general, fees are related to the level of business carried on by the co-operative and, as a result, larger co-operatives paying large fees obtain all the services of ICOS on the basis of their annual affiliation fee.

Clearly in the case of smaller co-operatives, it would not be economically viable to provide the full range of services available from ICOS on payment of the minimum annual fee, which for 2009 has been fixed at €570.00. The minimum fee entitles the member co-operative to a number of the services, which ICOS provides. Such services include dealing with requests for advice or guidance by telephone, letter, fax or e-mail on the following matters:

-      General enquiries relating to start-up and organisation.

-      Procedural issues in relation to Board Meetings and General Meetings of

     Members.

-      Advice on drafting of and processing of straightforward amendments to

    society’s rules.

-      Interpretation of and changes to the Industrial and Provident Societies Act

    1893 -1987.

-      Advice on the interpretation of the society’s rule book.

-      Advice on interpretation and completion of statutory forms.

-      Advice on shares, share transfers and the share register.

-      Information and advice on the role and responsibilities of the chairman,

    secretary, treasurer and chief executive.

-      Availability of and application processes for various government and EU

    grant schemes.

-      Advice on Financial matters/Business Planning/Taxation.

-      Assistance with the organisation and design of co-operative leadership

    and business training programmes for Boards and Management.

-      Policy Advice for the different co-operative sectors.

In general, new co-operatives are admitted to membership on the basis of paying the minimum annual fee (i.e. €570 for 2009). Nevertheless, if the co-operative’s activities are substantial to begin with and/or if the co-operative requires more than the minimum service, a higher affiliation fee can be negotiated by the new member society or if a particular task or demand is not likely to recur, an agreed consultancy fee can be negotiated. Typically, a request by a co-operative for any of the following services would require a negotiated extra fee payment:

-       Attendance at committee and general meetings.

-       Participation in the delivery of training programmes.

-       Detailed research and analysis work on a project or proposal.

-       Drafting of complex partial or complete rule amendments (simple partial

     amendments will not attract an extra fee).

-       Customised business planning/financial budgeting.

-       Customised report writing.

-       Project analysis.

Societies who choose not to affiliate to ICOS are charged a full commercial consultancy rate for the use of our services based on the time and expertise committed.