> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://organisation.signalise.coop/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://organisation.signalise.coop/glossary.md).

# Glossary

**Agenda**: A list of items and topics for discussion during a meeting.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/zlmBF6uizAk>" %}

**Annual General Meeting (AGM)**: A yearly meeting to discuss important co-operative matters.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/hDzkZ9TvhPQ>" %}

**Articles of Association**: Legal documents outlining the structure and rules governing a company.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/1RlilZNsulQ>" %}

**Autonomy**: The co-operative's ability to operate independently to achieve its aims.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/Xiix3DYf-x4>" %}

**Board Director**: A board member responsible for overseeing the co-operative's management.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/RhgMF4tGw7w>" %}

**Board Handbook**: A document outlining guidelines and responsibilities for board members.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/9WhARb9_fI4>" %}

**Board of Directors**: The governing body overseeing the co-operative's operations.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/1RVQBqV0p6E>" %}

**Bylaws**: Rules that explain how we run the co-operative and govern operations and decision-making processes.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/ldXWoQyDS0E>" %}

**Circle Meetings**: Meetings involving specific groups within the co-operative.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/mnnWJn4iqa8>" %}

**Circles**: Alternative word for groups within the co-operative representing different membership categories and functions (e.g. general members, workers, users or purpose circles).

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/ujJRHhO0yzk>" %}

**Code of Conduct**: Established guidelines and expectations for members' behaviour within the co-operative.

**Co-op**: Short for co-operative, an organisation emphasising cooperation and shared ownership.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/-viuOzAIwqU>" %}

**Co-operatives**: People-centred enterprises owned, controlled and run by and for their members to realise their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations.

**Co-operative Principles**: Guiding principles emphasising democratic member control and one member, one vote.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/qNbZa_m_Njw>" %}

**Co-operative Society**: A specific type of co-operative with shared ownership.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/1HBffSp267Y>" %}

**Co-ops UK**: An organisation or resource related to co-operative businesses in the United Kingdom.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/-biHitMmzDg>" %}

**Companies House**: Agency for registering companies.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/YWTljnuNSo4>" %}

**Conflict of Interest**: Situations where personal interests conflict with co-operative duties.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/31e3OauqGR4>" %}

**Decentralised**: Where decision-making authority and resources are dispersed among members or entities rather than centralised in one location or authority (e.g. the board).

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/l5hc1HbKsPc>" %}

**Democratic Control**: The co-operative is governed by its members, who make the decisions.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/WEnrKNUWbAw>" %}

**Directors**: Individuals overseeing and managing specific areas of work within the co-operative.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/jWeyM3voomo>" %}

**Eligibility Criteria**: Requirements for co-operative membership.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/4kFI2hMqwYE>" %}

**Equity**: Money invested in a business by members or investors.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/snrEVS7QUvg>" %}

**Extraordinary Resolution**: A vote requiring a 75% majority to pass, used for important decisions.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/PrbDjqVkS_s>" %}

**Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)**: Regulator for financial organisations, including co-operatives, to ensure compliance with financial regulations.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/FRYRLzHqjPQ>" %}

**General Members Meetings**: Regular meetings of co-operative members to discuss various aspects of co-operative business.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/9RoJM6z7WgE>" %}

**Interpreting**: Live translating of spoken language to sign language or vice versa.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/MijJS9uASf8>" %}

**Investor Members**: Members who have invested in the co-operative.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/ZjhkW-qTZp8>" %}

**Member Economic Participation**: Members contributing and benefiting economically.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/u8OLeWqV0CY>" %}

**Membership**: Being a co-operative member with specific rights and responsibilities.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/3_gfYsBDo1k>" %}

**Members**: Individuals or organisations with co-operative rights.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/vuxm-a-5bKw>" %}

**Multi-stakeholder Co-operative**: A co-operative with different membership categories.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/HXSlDG2Vaqk>" %}

**NRCPD**: The National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD) is a national voluntary regulator of over 1,700 language service professionals.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/Fp6UANbdhMQ>" %}

**Ordinary Resolution**: A vote requiring a simple majority (51% or more) to pass.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/bOOCMSsgMMU>" %}

**Proposal**: A formal suggestion or idea on how we operate presented for discussion and voting during a meeting.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/CA3e4zQRsEE>" %}

**Reserves**: Funds set aside for specific purposes, such as financial stability or community initiatives.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/usBml9uXxms>" %}

**RBSLI**: The Regulatory Body for Sign Language Interpreters and Translators (RBSLI) is an independent, voluntary regulator.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/zhGBYa97kzI>" %}

**Rules**: The co-operative term for Articles of Association, the comprehensive legal document that guides and explains how we run the co-operative.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/YB15gYjL14w>" %}

**Secondary Rules**: The rules for the day-to-day governance of how we run the co-operative.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/GpZx7mPabYE>" %}

**Shares**: Members or investors buy shares in a co-operative to become a member.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/Bu0T6A4s9tU>" %}

**Society Law**: Legal regulations ensuring co-operatives are managed and run properly.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/AvzjpaZd3DY>" %}

**Sociocracy**: Where everyone can say what they think and be involved in discussions to make decisions together.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/qXwjs2HTYuk>" %}

**Transparency**: Open and honest communication and decision-making.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/JDby4rUKE_w>" %}

**User members**: Deaf individuals in the co-operative.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/27lO6meZojg>" %}

**Voting**: The process by which members participate in decision-making.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/xN4Fa6ugL_M>" %}

**Worker Members**: Communication professionals providing services within the co-operative.

<br>


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://organisation.signalise.coop/glossary.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.