BCCA CO-OPS IN SCHOOL PROGRAM SUMMER UPDATE

It may be summer but the BCCA is still beavering away at Co-ops in Schools.

We are expanding the program into Victoria, partnering there with UVic and Mount Douglas Secondary, thanks to new funding from Federated Co-operatives Ltd. We are also bringing Langara College and Burnaby Mountain Secondary, Hugh McRoberts Secondary and North Surrey Secondary into CIS. It’s a busy time laying the groundwork to burst purposefully into the new school year.

Some of you may remember Russell Liu (photo above) of the Kwantlen-Surrey CIS team from his video presentation at the AGM. Russell can be found at the BCCA this summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays, working his magic on documentation and preparation for the CIS program. We are thrilled he is putting his skills to good use at the BCCA!  

BCCA MEMBER STOCKSY UNITED CO-OP FEATURED IN THE NY TIMES

A New Wrinkle in the Gig Economy: Workers Get Most of the Money

Stocksy United Co-op, a stock photo co-operative located in Victoria, has recently been featured in a NY Times article discussing the sharing economy, and how co-ops play an important role. For the full article, click the link below:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/21/business/smallbusiness/a-new-wrinkle-in-the-gig-economy-workers-get-most-of-the-money.html

CO-OP CAFÉ PROMOTES PRINCIPLE 6  

It’s been proven that co-op vitality and sustainability is enhanced when co-operatives practice Principle 6: Co-operation Amongst Co-operatives.

This grassroots initiative is a great place to ask questions, exchange information, discuss current events through a co-op lens, jam on ideas, and build the local co-op community.  BCCA is pleased to support this open discussion where all are welcome.

The next Co-op Café will be held July 27 from 8-9.30 am at Nelson the Seagull, 315 Carrall St, Vancouver. For more information on the Co-op Café series, email Hilary Henegar.

LIST OF CREDIT UNIONS FOR CCA WOMEN’S MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

The Women’s Mentorship Program (WMP) is an annual training program for women managers of overseas financial co-operatives which provides a unique opportunity for professional development.  Every year since 2002, the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) has delivered a Women’s Mentorship Program (WMP) for women credit union managers from Africa, Asia and the Americas where CCA works in partnership with credit union movements. Since the program began, there have been 16 cohorts of participants with a total of 215 women from 19 countries (average cohort size of 14).

Names of the credit union hosts from BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba who are hosting this year’s women’s mentorship program (WMP) participants from June 9-18, 2016.  Attached is the list of CU hosts as well as a photo of the 2016 cohort.

COOPZONE TRAINING PROGRAM – INTRODUCTORY LEVEL

THE INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT OF CO-OPERATIVES

THE INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT OF CO-OPERATIVES is an international conference, held biennially in Quebec. From October 11-13, 2016 international experts will share their vision, knowledge, perspective on challenges and future prospects facing co-operative and mutual enterprises with participants from more than 90 countries.

Co-op, credit union and sector leaders and stakeholders are encouraged to attend. Click HERE to view the Summit program. More information on the Summit including online registration is HERE.

To celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives, the Alliance and Summit have launched an online platform where cooperatives can make pledges to show the world how they help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations.

Click here for more information:

https://www.sommetinter.coop/en/medias/news/win-your-2016-pass-summit

COMMUNITIES IN FULL COLOR

The effort to help Fort McMurray residents rebuild their homes and community received a colourful boost from Co-op today. Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) donated 400 cans of paint to restore buildings that were damaged or are being rebuilt.

“Co-op is fundamentally committed to serving and caring for western Canadian communities—it’s part of our identity,” said Ron Healey, Associate Vice-President Ag and Home. “We’re glad that we can play a small part in helping Fort McMurray, a community in need right now, with resources and encouragement so that it can thrive again.”

The donation was made at the Saskatoon Co-op Home Centre on Circle Drive. To celebrate the donation, representatives from FCL, Saskatoon Co-op and the mayor of Saskatoon began painting a mural and writing messages of encouragement to Fort McMurray. Saskatoon residents are being invited to help paint the mural and send their own messages throughout the week.

“Most people in Western Canada have a connection with Fort McMurray through friends or family. I believe we are all looking for an opportunity to provide support to that community,” said Grant Wicks, General Manager of Saskatoon Co-op.

For the full story click here: