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CoopZone News, by Hazel Corcoran
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1) Strategic Planning
The Board of the CoopZone Developers' Network embarked several months ago on an important journey to create a new CoopZone Strategic Plan; the Plan is nearing completion. A core theme throughout this process has been to strengthen the link between CoopZone and its members.
The new objectives, in summary and draft form, are as follows:
1) To Strengthen Relationships with members and other co-op developers
2) To Strengthen And Enhance CoopZone's Unique Position, possibly including re-branding.
3) To Grow The Financial & Human Capacity.
4) To Develop A Plan To Develop The Training Program.
5) To Improve And Renew Connections With Other Co-Op Development Organizations.
Members will have a chance in the fall to deliberate on the final version of this Strategic Plan. Watch this space for more details.
2) Webinars
CoopZone members are invited to attend two Webinars offered by CWCF in the fall.
- Good Governance in a Worker Co-op with Lynn Hannley September 20 at 12:00 pm ET), and
- Conflict Management with Brian Scott (Oct 11 at 1:00 pm ET).
Watch for more details later in the summer.
3) Co-op Development Training
This year, CoopZone will offer two levels of its highly rated on-line co-op development program: Introduction, and Advanced. There will be free information webinars held in August with the Course Director, Eric Tusz-King. For more information, see:
www.coopzone.coop/Courses.
4) AGM Announcement : The AGM of CoopZone will take place on Thursday, Sept. 21st, at 1 pm Eastern Time for up to 90 minutes, by Adobe Connect/ conference call. As in previous years, if there are significant questions and comments, it may go slightly longer.
This notice is so that you can mark your calendars.
Please RSVP,
by email to Kaye Grant:
[email protected]
, as soon as possible and in any case by 9 am Eastern Time on Wednesday, Sept. 20th.
Seeking CoopZone Board Candidates
There is one three-year seat up for election at the upcoming AGM on the CoopZone Board of Directors, for an at-large seat, meaning that members from any region are eligible to run.
Resolutions deadline:
The deadline for AGM resolutions from members is September 1st.
More information about the AGM will follow soon.
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CoopZone Tele-Learning Sessions 2012-2016
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Have you ever wanted to refer to a CoopZone tele-learning session that we have held in the past? Or wonder if a topic has been covered? Here is a list of topics with links to the relevant information on our website.
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2017 CWCF - CoopZone Conference, with the Quebec RÉSEAU
Congrès 2017 FCCT - CoopZone, avec le RÉSEAU
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***Le français suit.***
Ottawa/Gatineau, Nov. 2nd - 4th, 2017
Theme:
Radical Roots/ Radical Routes of Worker Co-operation /
Nous avons le pouvoir. Vivons l'évolution coopérative!
The movement for workplace democracy has always had a radical, transformative vision. These radical roots also call us to new radical routes, i.e., what is our way forward as a movement of solidarity economics based on ownership and control instead of capital? The world needs workplace democracy now more than ever; it needs people and planet before profits. Come to our Conference to help us map out these radical routes, to build this new and better world.
We are thrilled to welcome two Senators as co-keynote speakers, Senator Lucie Moncion, a committed life-long co-operator and Past President of Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada; and Senator Murray Sinclair, who chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
November 2: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Announcing the Co-op Developer Intensive Day, designed by the CoopZone Board for Co-op Developers, at Four Points Sheraton, Gatineau.
November 3 & 4: Main Conference Program.
The program is available here: www.canadianworker.coop. Registration, with a link there, will open by the end of July.
Le français:
Ottawa / Gatineau, du 2 au 4 novembre 2017
Thème:
Radical Roots/ Radical Routes of Worker Co-operation /
Nous avons le pouvoir. Vivons l'évolution coopérative!
Le mouvement pour la démocratie au lieu de travail a toujours eu une vision radicale et évolutive. Ces racines nous appellent également à de nouvelles routes évolutives, c'est à dire, quelle est notre voie à suivre en tant que mouvement d'économie solidaire basé sur la propriété et le contrôle au lieu du capital? Le monde a besoin de démocratie sur les lieux de travail maintenant plus que jamais; il faut des gens et une planète avant les profits. Venez à notre conférence pour nous aider à tracer ces pistes, pour construire ce monde nouveau et meilleur. Nous avons le pouvoir. Vivons l'évolution coopérative!
Nous sommes très heureux d'accueillir deux sénateurs en tant que conférenciers principaux, la sénatrice Lucie Moncion, une coopératrice convaincue et ancienne présidente de Coopératives et Mutuelles Canada; et le sénateur Murray Sinclair, qui a présidé la Commission de vérité et de réconciliation.
Le 2 novembre: de 9 h à 16 h. Une Journée intensive pour les développeurs de coopératives, conçue par le conseil d'administratino de CoopZone pour les développeurs, au Four Points Sheraton, à Gatineau.
Le 3 et 4 novembre: Le programme principal du Congrès.
Le Programme est disponible ici: www.canadianworker.coop. L'inscription sera ouverte par la fin de juillet, au même site web.
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Motion M-100 Adopted in Unanimity by House of Commons / La motion M-100 est adoptée à l'unanimité par la Chambre des communes
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**Le français suit**
The Parliament of Canada voted unanimously this spring to adopt Motion M-100, sending a clear message and mandate to the Government of Canada. M-100 is a Private Member's Motion, tabled by Liberal M.P. Alexandra Mendès (Brossard - St-Lambert), to establish a framework that will promote the recognition and development of co-operatives in Canada. Read more here.
**Le Français**
Le Parlement du Canada a voté à l'unanimité au printemps pour adopter la motion M-100, en envoyant un message et un mandat clairs au gouvernement du Canada. M-100 est une motion d'initiative parlementaire, déposée par la députée libérale Alexandra Mendès (Brossard - St-Lambert), afin d'établir un cadre qui favorisera la reconnaissance et le développement des coopératives au Canada. Lire la suite
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Congrès de Coopératives et Mutuelles Canada / Congress
of Cooperatives and Mutuals Canada
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by Pascal Billard, président
**English follows**
L'Assemblée Générale Annuelle de Coopératives et Mutuelles Canada a eu lieu du 20 au 22 juin dernier à Ottawa. Un des principaux sujets discutés a été l'importance de l'adoption de la Motion par le gouvernement canadien, concernant la reconnaissance et le rôle des coopératives dans l'économie canadienne, M-100.
Personnellement, le point fort de cette AGA a été les visites de coopératives innovantes. De mon côté j'ai visité la Fromagerie St-Albert, qui regroupe 35 membres producteurs. En 2013, suite à un incendie la fromagerie a été reconstruite et lors de la réouverture en 2015, une activité agrotouristique a été ajouté. La fromagerie comprend maintenant un restaurant où l'on peut déguster entre autre, une excellente poutine, et un magasin d'aliments locaux. Cette activité a attiré 500 000 visiteurs en 2016...
Dans la même région, la coopérative agricole d'Embrun démontre un dynamisme étonnant en diversifiant ses activités. En plus d'offrir des services aux producteurs agricoles, tels que mise en marché des céréales et fournitures d'intrants, elle possède un garage (entretien de véhicules), un lave-auto, un magasin d'alimentation Independant (affilié à Loblaw's), une quincaillerie Rona, et une station-service.
Toutefois, une petite déception lors de cette AGA, notre vice-président Ben Prunty n'a pas été élu au conseil d'administration de CMC malgré une belle présentation. Les membres ont élu les candidat-es suivant-es : Jim Bettcher (UFA, Alberta), Karen Miner (CASC- Nouvelle-écosse), et Tim Ross (FHCC - Ontario) au CA de CMC.
**English**
The Annual General Meeting of Cooperatives and Mutuals Canada was held June 20-22, 2017 in Ottawa. One of the main issues discussed was the importance of the Government of Canada's adoption of the Motion regarding the recognition and role of co-operatives in the Canadian economy, M-100.
Personally, the high point of this AGM for me was the visits to innovative cooperatives. I visited the St-Albert Cheese Co-op, which has 35 producer members. In 2013, following a devastating fire the cheese dairy was rebuilt and at the reopening in 2015, an agro-tourism activity was added. The cheese dairy now includes a restaurant where one can taste among other things, an excellent poutine, and there's also a local food store. This activity attracted 500,000 visitors in 2016.
In the same region, the Embrun Agricultural Cooperative demonstrates an astonishing dynamism by diversifying its activities. In addition to providing services to agricultural producers such as marketing grain and input supplies, it has a garage (vehicle maintenance), a car wash, an Independent grocery store (affiliated with Loblaw's), a Rona hardware store, and a service station.
However, a small disappointment at this AGM, our Vice President Ben Prunty was not elected to the CMC Board of Directors. despite a good presentation.
Members elected Jim Bettcher (UFA, Alberta), Karen Miner (CASC-Nova Scotia), and Tim Ross (CHF Canada-Ontario) to the CMC Board.
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Partner with Canada's Emerging Co-operators! /
Conseils des associations provinciales - Pourquoi participer à la campagne Coop 150?
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**Le français suit**
Sharing Stories of Co-operation - #Coop150 Campaign
Celebrating Canada's 150th Anniversary of Confederation
Canada's Emerging Co-operators is embarking on a social media campaign to profile the diverse and powerful co-operative movement in every region of Canada.
Can you help us put out the call? We'd love to share stories from your member co-ops!
Team up with Canada's Emerging Co-operators to:
- Demonstrate active participation in youth engagement initiatives to your members
- Invite discussion on co-operatives, and share engaging stories
- Showcase the co-operative advantages unique to your communities
- Get inspiring testimonials you can share on your own Facebook pages
- Gain a greater online audience, with just a like, comment, share or hashtag
In the spirit of Canada's 150th, we're asking you - co-operators throughout Canada - to tell us your co-op story in 150 words!
- How did you get into co-ops?
- What do co-ops mean to you?
- What is innovative about your co-op?
You can share your 150-word co-op post with us over Instagram or Facebook with an image of your choosing using the hashtag #coops150. We will share your post with all of Canada. You can also send your story and a photo to
[email protected]
for us to post on your behalf.
**Le français**
Récits de coopération - Campagne #Coop150
150e anniversaire de la Confédération canadienne
Les Coopérateurs émergents du Canada s'apprêtent à lancer une campagne sur les médias sociaux pour mettre en valeur la force et la diversité du mouvement coopératif d'un bout à l'autre du pays.
Alors, quels captivants récits aimeriez-vous raconter?
Aidez-nous à faire connaître cette initiative! Nous espérons lire et transmettre les histoires de vos membres.
Joignez-vous aux Coopérateurs émergents du Canada pour :
- Montrer activement à vos membres votre volonté de mobiliser la jeunesse
- Encourager les discussions et la transmission d'expériences inspirantes
- Faire valoir la spécificité coopérative de vos communautés
- Obtenir des témoignages évocateurs que vous pourrez partager sur votre page ou profil
- Élargir la portée de votre présence en ligne à l'aide d'un « J'aime », d'un commentaire, d'un partage ou d'un mot-clic
Dans l'esprit du 150e, nous demandons aux coopérateurs canadiens de décrire
leur vécu coopératif en 150 mots.
- Comment êtes-vous venus à vous intéresser au modèle coopératif?
- Que représente une coopérative pour vous?
- Qu'est-ce qui distingue votre coopérative?
Utilisez le mot-clic #coop150
pour nous transmettre sur Instagram ou Facebook votre récit coopératif de 150 mots ou moins accompagné de l'image de votre choix. Votre publication sera partagée en ligne à l'échelle pancanadienne. Vous pouvez également nous envoyer votre texte et votre image par courriel à l'adresse
[email protected]
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nous les publierons en ligne pour vous.
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Yellowknifer looks to transform Hudson's Bay store into art school
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The Yellowknife Artists Co-operative is looking to transform the old Hudson's Bay Company building into an art school.
Matthew Grogono is the self-appointed champion for the project in Yellowknife's Old Town. He says he's been working on getting an art school established in Yellowknife for 23 years.
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Health Care Co-ops:
Airdrie and Area Health Benefits Cooperative
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This is an article regarding recent support being provided and activities being undertaken by this co-op.
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Co-operatives First: Course on Co-op Governance
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The Centre for Study of Cooperatives, University of Saskatchewan, has collaborated with
Co-operatives First to create a new online course titled Governance in Co-operatives. It will run for six weeks from 16 October to 24 November 2017 and will be freely available to anyone in the world. Governance in Co-operatives is being hosted on
canvas.net and will be live beginning 2 October 2017 for registration. Six weeks, six modules, as follows:
- What Is Governance?
- Governance in Business
- Governance in Co-ops and Nonprofits
- Working Together
- A View of the Future
- Legitimacy
Each module is based on a case study hand picked and prepared especially for this course. There is also an orientation session prior to Module 1 and a concluding section after Module 6.
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Investment Capital for Worker Cooperatives
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While the impact investing field has taken off in recent years and has influenced mainstream banking priorities, worker cooperatives are not yet a viable option for a typical impact investor interested in 'investing with purpose.' In these two publications, we address the question: What would it take for an investor to be able to easily target part of their investment portfolio to worker-owned cooperatives, to 'mainstream' the practice of investing in worker cooperatives?
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Steps to Starting a Cooperative: An In-Depth Guide for co-op Start-ups and Conversions
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by Margaret M. Bau, USDA Rural Development
New cooperative businesses can be started by eventual member-owners or be incubated by a development group. Existing businesses can be converted to member-ownership (either of employees or the community). Regardless of who organizes a co-op, this webinar identifies the key steps in the development process.
Regardless of who organized a co-op, this webinar identifies the key steps in the development process...Click here to access the webinar.
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ICA Director Ariel Guarco presented Argentine co-operativism in Africa
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The President of Cooperar and Board member of the International Co-operative Alliance shared the experiences of consumers, work and public services co-operatives. He w
as accompanied by the ICA youth director, Gabriela Buffa.
Guarco explained the Argentine co-operative experience in the areas of public services, consumption and work during the Alliance Africa Co-operative Ministerial Conference Midterm Review, organized with the objective of discussing with the leaders of the Region and from other parts of the world about the role of co-operatives regarding the end of poverty in all its forms.
During the activity, that took place in Casablanca, Morocco, Guarco established exchanges with representatives of some co-operative entities in that continent - particularly with colleagues from the Regional Board Japheth Magomere and Mike Duru- on how the movement is positioning itself with regard to the Global Financial Crisis and how the Alliance should respond in that scenario.
He also had meetings with the Zimbabwe Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises, Sithembiso Nyoni; with his South African counterpart, Nomathemba November; and the economist of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Simel Esim, among other officials.
His presentation, framed in a panel on the role of co-operatives in the development of regional economies, addressed the history and potential of worker co-operatives, including those arising from the recovery of failed capital companies; those of consumption, with the Cooperativa Obrera as an emblematic example of this model; and public services co-operatives, which exemplify the diversification of local development opportunities for over a thousand cities in our country. At the end of the presentation, Guarco answered questions from the audience and gave an interview to local television.
"It was a great opportunity to bring the rich experience of co-operative integration in Argentina to colleagues from other countries and also to listen them about the problems and visions they have of co-operativism as a global movement. We also had the chance to understand their expectations and asks regarding the role of the Alliance in this scenario", he said.
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Registrations open and program unveiled for the Social Cooperatives International School
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Only 2 months left to register for the 2017 edition of the social cooperative international school!
THE TOPICS OF THE 3rd EDITON ARE OUT!
The #SCIS2017 foresees four thematic sessions and one seminar. Each training session will include a theoretic introduction on the topic, the presentation of best practices and a workshop to deepen different aspects of activities of social cooperatives.
Session 1 - Introduction: social cooperatives normative framework and best practices in the international context
Session 2 - How to communicate about social cooperatives
Session 3 - Social farming: social inclusion, work, educational services and more
Session 4 - Management and leadership in social cooperatives
Seminar - Work, sharing economy, platforms - towards a cooperative approach?
During the sessions, the presentation of best practices will focus on the analysis of the role of cooperative groups and consortia in the life of social cooperatives, and how they promote development and partnership among cooperatives themselves and among cooperatives and non-cooperative enterprises.
SPREAD THE WORD AMONG YOUR AFFILIATED COOPERATIVES AND REGISTER!
Complete the REGISTRATION FORM and send it together with the payment proof [email protected]
Deadline for registration: 6th September 2017
Do not wait until the last moment, places are limited!
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| The Co-operative Society:
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...the rest of the world and many American states, cities, businesses, and other institutions announced that "they were still in," and in a number of cases that they would redouble their efforts to achieve the 2030 climate-change goals. Many signs point to their ability to pull it off.
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CoopZone is a network of people and organizations which help others to start and develop co-operatives.
Please send any comments, suggestions and ideas for articles to:
Editor of CoopZone Newsletter
Phone: 204-257-
1198
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