Kuala Lumpur, 16 November 2017 – The International Co-operative Alliance and Euricse, the European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises, published its sixth annual World Co-operative Monitor in the framework of the Global cooperative Conference in Malaysia. The publication reports on the world’s largest cooperative and mutual organisations, providing a ranking of the Top 300 and sectorial analysis based on 2015 financial data. The 2017 World Co-operative Monitor collected data for 2,379 organisations from 8 sectors of activity, 1,436 of which had a turnover of more than USD100m. The Top 300 cooperatives and mutuals report a total turnover of 2.16 billion USD.

The world’s top 300 cooperatives operate in different sectors: insurance (41%), agriculture (30%), wholesale and retail trade (19%), banking and financial services (6%), industry and utilities (1%), health, education and social care (1%) and other services (1%).

New this year is the trend analysis on the top cooperatives and mutuals by sector of activity. The analysis shows the performance of the largest cooperatives and mutuals from 2011 to 2015 showing the strength and stability of the cooperative movement throughout the crisis when many shareholder business were suffering losses.

Another addition to this year’s report is the analysis of the capital structure of not only the Top 300 but also a sample of smaller cooperatives and mutuals, allowing for comparison of different types of co-operative business. The results of this research show that large cooperatives and mutuals do not have specific problems raising capital related to the cooperative business model, though smaller cooperatives do have some challenges mostly related to obtaining internal capital and long-term debt.

“The financial statement data of the Top 300 reveals a situation that does not support the traditional theory of cooperative capital”, concludes the report. “Rather, the analysis shows a sector with good capitalization, in financial equilibrium and with sufficient profitability to support growth.” In their recommendations, the authors of the report add: “Given these results, for the large cooperatives a possible and important policy would be to stimulate, using the new internally generated capital resources as well, investments in research and development, i.e. in innovation.”

Read the World Co-operative Monitor here.

Enhancing Business Performance through Cooperative Management Practices: How to Strengthen Identity, Loyalty and Participation

Timeline : December 15th, 2017 to September 30th, 2018
Deadline : November 29th, 2017, 6:00 PM Eastern Time

The annual ACE Institute is the only annual conference in north America dedicated solely to highlighting innovative programs in cooperative education. It provides a unique opportunity to network with 80-120 educators across cooperative sectors as well as national boundaries.

Institute highlights include

Emphasis on cooperative research and education
Keynote Speakers
Cooperative Study Tours
A combination of plenaries and workshops (15-20), some held concurrently
Awards Banquet
1-2 receptions

Job description
ACE is seeking an individual, team of two, or group to plan, organize, and implement the 2018 ACE Institute. The conference will be held in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota during June, July or August 2018. Exact location as to be determined, but there is a strong preference for a university or college setting, in part to take advantage of affordable campus-based housing for some attendees. The conference program will cover four (4) calendar days, with the first day offering optional pre-conference programming and an evening opening reception, and the final day concluding by Noon.
The Conference Organizer will work closely with the Association of Cooperative Educators Board of Directors, and the ACE Institute Planning Committee.

For more information about the position, please contact ACE at info@ace.coop

Lead nationwide good times outside!

MEC Board nominations close November 27, 2017.

Calling all bike commuters, weekend paddlers, weeknight climbers and overnight campers. Get ready to mix your business acumen with your outdoor obsessions and lead the charge in inspiring good times outside across Canada.

Mountain Equipment Co-operative is seeking candidates for their 2018 Board of Directors Election. They're looking for people with board or senior management experience in a similarly complex organization. One of Canada's most trusted brands, MEC has nearly 5 million members, $465 million in annual revenues, a global supply chain, 2450 employees, 22 stores across Canada, and an online store.

This year the Board is particularly looking for candidates:

from ethnic and cultural groups not currently represented on the board,
from central and eastern Canada,
with experience at a senior governance or executive level of a business of similar of greater complexity to MEC,
with experience leading a large organization undergoing significant growth and change,
with broad retail or consumer-oriented experience in diverse sectors.

Interested? Get more details at mec.ca/nominations

MANITOBA COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

Thank you to all the co-operators who came out to celebrate cooperative achievement at our Annual Co-op Week Awards Banquet in October! Congratulations again to our award winners DSI Tandem Co-op Resources and Stingers Credit Union.

New ranking of the world's 300 largest cooperatives confirms the strength and good health of the movement

Enhancing Business Performance through Cooperative Management Practices: How to Strengthen Identity, Loyalty and Participation

Work with CWCF to develop a strategic plan

Association of Cooperative Educators (ACE) looking for a conference organizer for the ACE Institute

Lead nationwide good times outside!