Submitting an expense: Difference between revisions
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Social.coop is run through a system of open contributions. There are no employees, but the cooperative strives to recognize its contributors through stipends. Operating costs for the co-op also often occur through reimbursement of members. All expenses must be approved by: | Social.coop is run through a system of open contributions. There are no employees, but the cooperative strives to recognize its contributors through stipends. Operating costs for the co-op also often occur through reimbursement of members. All expenses must be approved by: | ||
* | * A members of the [[Finance Working Group]], which oversees the co-op’s economic activities; and | ||
* Platform 6, our fiscal sponsor, which carries out all payments | * [https://opencollective.com/platform6-coop Platform 6 Development Co-operative Limited], our fiscal sponsor, which carries out all payments. | ||
The annual budget approved by the membership is the guideline for expenses. The Finance Working Group will typically approve any expense submitted by a working group member that falls within the approved budget. Smaller, reasonable, and well-documented expenses outside the budget are also likely to be quickly approved. Significant or questionable expenses clearly outside the budget and that are not obviously necessary may be denied or presented to the membership for an approval vote. | The annual budget approved by the membership is the guideline for expenses. The Finance Working Group will typically approve any expense submitted by a working group member that falls within the approved budget. Smaller, reasonable, and well-documented expenses outside the budget are also likely to be quickly approved. Significant or questionable expenses clearly outside the budget and that are not obviously necessary may be denied or presented to the membership for an approval vote. | ||
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If possible, any expense outside the approved budget should be presented in Loomio to the Finance Working Group or the broader membership ahead of time, before the relevant activity is done. | If possible, any expense outside the approved budget should be presented in Loomio to the Finance Working Group or the broader membership ahead of time, before the relevant activity is done. | ||
== | === Submit an Expense === | ||
A member or other approved recipient can '''[https://opencollective.com/socialcoop/expenses submit an expense using Open Collective].''' | |||
Expense submission must include: | |||
* the expense amount in GBP (or the settled currency of the transaction) | |||
* a clear description of the nature of the expense and its relationship to the current annual budget | |||
* an expense tag with the relevant working group (if known) | |||
* | * a receipt of the payment made (for expense reimbursements), a detailed line-item (for stipends), or an invoice. | ||
While general budgeting decisions are | The Finance Working Group (FWG) will then review the expense, ensuring it fits within the approved budget. If there are any concerns, FWG will share them with the member. Budgeted expenses require the approval of one (1) member of FWG. Unbudgeted expenses require approval from the Organizing Circle. Approved expenses are automatically directed to our fiscal host [https://opencollective.com/platform6-coop Platform 6] for final approval and payment (usually on a monthly basis). | ||
While general budgeting decisions or annual budgets are approved by all members, individual members are invited to monitor [expenses on Open Collective](https://opencollective.com/socialcoop/expenses), monitor the Finance Working Group, or join to help maintain transparency and accountability. | |||
=== '''Expenses on Open Collective''' === | |||
[https://opencollective.com/socialcoop/expenses '''Submit Expense'''] | |||
[https://opencollective.com/socialcoop/expenses All Expenses] | |||
[https://opencollective.com/socialcoop/expenses?sort%5Bfield%5D=CREATED_AT&sort%5Bdirection%5D=DESC&status=APPROVED&status=PAID&direction=RECEIVED Approved Expenses] | |||
Latest revision as of 19:24, 17 July 2025
Social.coop is run through a system of open contributions. There are no employees, but the cooperative strives to recognize its contributors through stipends. Operating costs for the co-op also often occur through reimbursement of members. All expenses must be approved by:
- A members of the Finance Working Group, which oversees the co-op’s economic activities; and
- Platform 6 Development Co-operative Limited, our fiscal sponsor, which carries out all payments.
The annual budget approved by the membership is the guideline for expenses. The Finance Working Group will typically approve any expense submitted by a working group member that falls within the approved budget. Smaller, reasonable, and well-documented expenses outside the budget are also likely to be quickly approved. Significant or questionable expenses clearly outside the budget and that are not obviously necessary may be denied or presented to the membership for an approval vote.
If possible, any expense outside the approved budget should be presented in Loomio to the Finance Working Group or the broader membership ahead of time, before the relevant activity is done.
Submit an Expense
A member or other approved recipient can submit an expense using Open Collective.
Expense submission must include:
- the expense amount in GBP (or the settled currency of the transaction)
- a clear description of the nature of the expense and its relationship to the current annual budget
- an expense tag with the relevant working group (if known)
- a receipt of the payment made (for expense reimbursements), a detailed line-item (for stipends), or an invoice.
The Finance Working Group (FWG) will then review the expense, ensuring it fits within the approved budget. If there are any concerns, FWG will share them with the member. Budgeted expenses require the approval of one (1) member of FWG. Unbudgeted expenses require approval from the Organizing Circle. Approved expenses are automatically directed to our fiscal host Platform 6 for final approval and payment (usually on a monthly basis).
While general budgeting decisions or annual budgets are approved by all members, individual members are invited to monitor [expenses on Open Collective](https://opencollective.com/socialcoop/expenses), monitor the Finance Working Group, or join to help maintain transparency and accountability.