Elevating the performance of co-operative enterprises through customized business education and research\

In this edition
  • New online course: Excellence in Member-centric Governance and Management
  • Now accepting applications for 2021 Master's, Graduate Diploma and Certificate Cohorts! New easy online application process.
  • Welcome to the 2020 Students
  • Free Webinars - Strategic Co-operative Leadership
  • New publications: staff, faculty and alumni
  • Coops4JustEconomy campaign winners and podcast
  • Congratulations to 2020 graduating class! 
Course: Excellence in Member-centric Governance and Management

Choose to participate virtually December 9-10, 2020 or February 17-18, 2021 
This short course is designed for long-standing and emerging leaders in the co-operative economy, across all sectors and membership types (worker, producer, consumer including credit unions, multi-stakeholder). All will benefit from this knowledge-rich and participatory course.     
 
This education experience focuses on enhancing your knowledge and building your network. Discuss and debate the many facets of the membership aspect of co-operatives, including: people-centred management, ownership and control, and democratic governance. Grapple with the unique challenges inherent in leading and managing co-operatives while including voice, representation, participation, and engagement of people at the core.   
 
The course leads will be Karen Miner, Managing Director of the International Centre for Co-operative Management, Vice Chair of Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada, researcher and instructor and Dr. Sonja Novkovic, Co-operative Economist, Academic Director of the International Centre for Co-operative Management, Chair of the International Co-operative Alliance Committee on Co-operative Research, researcher and professor.  The course will also feature presentations on Mondragon by Fred Freundlich (LANKI, University of Mondragon) and Erbin Crowell, Master's graduate, Executive Director of the Neighboring Food Co-op Association and Board Chair of the National Co-operative Business Association.   
 
$300 CAD + tax/person (5 registrations from one organization for $1000 CAD + tax) 
   
Register here. 
More on the course can be found here. 
ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR 2021OPEN NOW - Master's, Graduate Diploma, Certificate in Co-operative and Credit Union Management
 
Online, part-time programs for co-operative and credit union professionals:
- Master of Management, Co-operatives and Credit Unions (3 years) 
- Graduate Diploma in Co-operative Management (20 months) 
- Certificate in Co-operative Management (10 months)

Students will join a growing network of leading co-operative practitioners, educators and academics from around the world and experience education in a co-operative learning environment. Students will deepen their understanding of the co-operative business model and develop tools to maximize its impact and their leadership performance, all while continuing to work full-time.

Applying is easier than ever! 
Learn about our programs and our new streamlined admissions process! 

Attend one of our informational webinars to get a better understanding of our programs and opportunities. Register for one of our upcoming webinars:
October 28 1PM ADT
November 10 1:30PM AST
November 24 1:00PM AST
Visit our website for future webinars (2/month) or contact Erin Hancock for a 1-on-1 call. 
Master's student featured in #HumansOfCoopHousing
Pictured: Michelle Cooper-Iversen taken by CHF Canada

"Michelle Cooper-Iversen, as chief operating officer of the Co-operative Housing Federation of British Columbia (CHF BC), has a lot on her desk this year. Not only is she overseeing work to keep CHF BC and its subsidiaries strong and active during the pandemic (including COHO Management Services Society and British Columbia's Community Land Trust),  but she's also pursuing her Master of Management, Co-operatives and Credit Unions, from Saint Mary's University" (Adapted from CHF Canada, 06/23/20). Read it here 
WELCOME STUDENTS! 
We want to offer the warmest welcome to our Master's, Graduate Diploma and Certificate students! We are so grateful that our community is growing to include these dynamic, bright and passionate co-operators.  There is so much history, experience and talent coming to the table and we're excited to grow together. 
Strategic Co-operative Leadership - 
Free Webinars

We host free webinars offered by sector leaders on special topics in co-operative business, management, governance, economics and social movements. Register now for the Fall 2020 Series!
 
RECORDINGS:
September 9: Another Way? How about Business Conversions to Co-operatives (hosted by Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada) featuring two of our faculty members - Dr. Marcelo Vieta and Dr. Fiona Duguid  - Find the recording and the slides here

October 2: The Co-operative Model - Its Contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and New Economic Paradigms with Sonja Novkovic (hosted by the ICA Coop Academy #coops4dev) - Find the recording here

October 15: Co-operatives and New Economic Paradigms with Sonja Novkovic - Find the recording here

COMING UP:
November 3, 1pm ADT (12pm EDT): The Co-operative Advantage with Dr. Daniel Côté -

November 18, 1:30-3pm EST (2:30pm AST): Passing the Torch - Propelling Co-ops Forward with Erin Hancock (Centre's Program Manager, Education), Iva Jankovic (Master's student), Josh Noble (Graduate Diploma graduate), Tim Ross (This webinar is hosted by Canada's Emerging Co-operators, Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada) - Register here

November 23, 2:00-3:15pm AST (1pm EST): Indigenous Rights and Inclusion in Co-operatives with Dr. Priscilla Settee & Dr. Isobel Findlay- Register here

November 30, 1:00-2:00pm AST (12pm EST): Indigenous Rights and Inclusion in Co-operatives with Mary Nirlungayuk (Arctic Co-operatives Ltd.), Joanne Stone-Campbell (Vancity Credit Union) and Lisa Clatney (Saskatoon Community Clinic) - Register here

BE A SPEAKER FOR THE NEXT SERIES:
If you have a suggestion for a future webinar, we are currently in progress of planning for the Winter 2021 series. Contact Erin Hancock to step forward or share an idea (we feature researchers, practitioners and movement builders).
NEW PUBLICATIONS - ICCM COMMUNITY
 
Miner, K and Novkovic S. (Fall 2020). Diversity in Governance - a cooperative model for deeper, more meaningful impact. Cooperative Business Journal. Read it here
 
Trott, A. (2020). Co-operative associations in North America. International Centre for Co-operative Management Working Paper Series 02/2020. Read it here
 
International Journal of Co-operative Accounting & Management  (IJCAM)
Vol 3 No 2 Special Issue, Social and Environmental Performance of Co-operatives:
 
IJCAM Vol 3 No 2 - Bickford The Centrality of Environmental Sustainability for the Co-operative Movement and the World 
 
IJCAM Vol 3 No 2 - Duguid Are Co-operatives Embracing the SDGs and Sustainability? A Content Analysis of Annual Reports, Reports, and Websites 
 
IJCAM Vol 3 No 2 - Rowlston & Duguid Co-operative Sustainability Performance Measurement: The Role of the Co-op Principles and UN Sustainability Development Goals in the Reporting Model
What role can co-operatives play to energize a just economy post-pandemic?

Thanks to all who participated in our #Coops4JustEconomy campaign by answering the question, what role can co-operatives play to energize a just economy? We are excited to share our campaign winners: 

Loralyn Milcarek (left) 1st year MMCCU
Shyde-El Diakhi (centre) 1st year MMCCU 
Adam Trott (right) MMCCU Graduate and Instructor
 
 
RADIO FEATURE/PODCAST: Adam Trott was a featured guest on Each For All Co-op Radio exploring how co-operatives can support a just economy post-pandemic (interviewed by Robin Puga, graduate of the Certificate in Co-operative Management program). Listen here.
Photo taken from SaveMEC/SauvonsMEC
SAVE MEC 
 
Co-operators across Canada are reeling after the private sale of the assets of Mountain Equipment Co-operative (MEC): Canada's largest retail co-operative, without consultation of the membership.
 
Learn more:
1) Listen to the Each for All co-op radio feature program on the topic, and one of the guest speakers is our Centre's very own Karen Miner (a former MEC board member). You can browse their site for additional related episodes as well. 
 
2) View the recording from the Town Hall on the matter that was hosted by Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada on October 19. The recording should be posted in short order to their facebook page. 
 
3) Join SaveMEC/SauvonsMEC and learn what members are doing now and how you can join in the effort. 
CONGRATS TO THE FALL 2020 GRADUATING CLASS
Master's & Graduate Diploma Orientation 2017
Congratulations to the 2020 Graduating Class! We hope your virtual graduation and our virtual party was meaningful. You have enriched our learning community deeply and we are proud to consider you alumni and friends. The co-operative movement is stronger for your leadership! Thank you making this education part of your journey. Your Master of Management, Co-operatives and Credit Unions (MMCCU) and your Graduate Diploma in Co-operative Management are achievements, but also launching pads for further impact.  
 
Nicolas Bickford, MMCCU, Buffalo NY Co-operator in Various Roles (USA)
Me'Lea Connelly, MMCCU, Various Roles in Co-operatives (forthcoming graduation, January 2021) (USA)
Collin Ferguson, Graduate Diploma, Routes Maker/Keep Cascadia Weird (USA)
Lisa Furfaro, Graduate Diploma, BC Eco Food Coop (Canada)
Andrew Gansenberg, MMCCU, Vermont State Employees Credit Union (USA)
Ashley Grewal, MMCCU, Vancity (Canada)
Venkat Kondam, MMCCU, The Co-operators (Canada)
Heather McCann, MMCCU, The Co-operators (Canada)
Chhoan Sokchiveneath, MMCCU, La Federation des Cooperatives du Nouveau Quebec (forthcoming graduation, January 2021) (Canada)
Jennifer Tan, MMCCU, Vancity (Canada)
Aaron Walker, MMCCU, Vancity (Canada)