TRESA is a Community Interest Company dedicated to two aims:
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to secure for the benefit of Totterdown residents the preservation, protection and improvement of the built and natural environment in the area of Totterdown in Bristol
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to encourage, support and promote social events and activity within Totterdown and the involvement of Totterdown Residents in such activities
Join Us
Membership is open to any resident of Totterdown over the age of 18.
If you're over 18 and you live within the Totterdown boundary you can join. The benefits of joining include: 
A chance to get involved with your neighbours in local activities
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A greater say in what happens to our neighbourhood
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That warm fuzzy glow of being part of the community
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What more do you want? It's only two quid a year.
So - what are you waiting for? Print out the form (pdf 813KB) and pop it with £2 for each new member into either the mailbox in Patco on Wells Road or the one at the Post Office counter in Tesco.
If you live outside the area, you may still get involved in our public meetings, events and campaigns but will not be eligible to become a member, vote or have a say on TRESAcic policy.
History of TRESA
TRESA was formed in November 2005 by a small group of Totterdown residents keen to bring together residents in Totterdown to the benefit of the environment we live in and the things we do in it. In May 2008, TRESA became a Community Interest Company.
Annual reports for TRESA and TRESAcic are available for the following years:
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2006 (pdf format 29KB).
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2007 (pdf format 65KB).
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2008/09 (pdf format 167KB). Combined years due to change to become a Community Interest Company
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2009/10 (pdf format 293KB).
What is a CIC?
A 'community interest company' (CIC) is a new type of company introduced by the United Kingdom government in 2005 under The Community Interest Act 2004, designed for social enterprises that want to use their profits and assets for the public good. CICs are intended to be easy to set up, with all the flexibility and certainty of the company form, but with some special features to ensure they are working for the benefit of the community.
A social enterprise is a business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners. Social enterprises tackle a wide range of social and environmental issues and operate in all parts of the economy. By using business solutions to achieve public good, it is believed that social enterprises have a distinct and valuable role to play in helping create a strong, sustainable and socially inclusive economy.
Social enterprises are diverse. They include local community enterprises, social firms, mutual organisations such as co-operatives, and large-scale organisations operating nationally or internationally. There is no single legal model for social enterprise. They include companies limited by guarantee, industrial and provident societies, and companies limited by shares; some organisations are unincorporated associations and others are registered charities. Read more at Wikipedia....
TRESA's Organisation
The way TRESAcic works is by enabling local residents to be active members of the community. TRESAcic can offer publicity for an event or campaign both on its website and through the quarterly newsletter Talk of Totterdown; by bringing people together it helps to share experience and knowledge; and by presenting a collective voice it gives added weight to local opinion.
While the committee and directors may lead on particular issues or events that are close to their own hearts, the organisation is most effective when other people join in.
The members elect 10 directors on an annual basis at the Annual General Meeting. There are five specific posts specified in the Memorandum of Association:
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CHAIR: The chair oversees running of the organisation, chairs the committee and general meetings and rules on points of order.
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VICE CHAIR: The vice-chair shadows the Chair's activity stepping into that role in the Chair's absence.
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COMPANY SECRETARY: The Secretary has the job of keeping the records of the organisation, including the notes of meetings held.
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TREASURER: Looks after the money - straightforward, really.
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MEMBERSHIP SECRTARY: Gets new members on board, welcomes them when they arrive and takes their dues.
In addition, there are a further five 'ordinary' directors. They include the Talk of Totterdown editor and Web-site editor. Our other directors monitor planning and/or other issues. Occasionally sub-groups will be formed within the organisation to run specific events or activities. These are open to any member to run or support.
The current directors of the committee are listed on the committee page.
For an insight into what happens at our meetings, visit the meetings page.
Memorandum of Association
TRESAcic is a Community Interest Company (number 6586130). The organisation's Memorandum of Association defines the rules by which it operates. A copy of our certificate of incorporation is available here...
