Copy
We've amassed a page full of COVID-19 resources for Saskatchewan's co-ops and credit unions HERE
View this email in your browser


CO-OPERATIVE SPOTLIGHT NEWSLETTER FOR MAY 6, 2020


CO-OP CAMP 2020 HAS BEEN CANCELLED


It is with deep sadness that we announce our 2020 Co-op Camp season has been cancelled. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the province of Saskatchewan has set out regulations about physical distancing, camps and public gatherings that affect our ability to run our programming.

For more than 90 years Saskatchewan youth have been coming together to learn about co-operatives, co-operative values, and leadership skills through the varied sessions of the Saskatchewan Co-operative Youth Program. This program, now known as Co-op Camp, has served over 44,000 youth because we have parents, sponsors and stakeholders who see the value of the programming that we offer to your children.

Our staff is already thinking outside the box for some fun and unique ways to meet up in a virtual setting, so that we can still have some co-operative events and activities. And, we look forward to the 2021 season where our participants will be invited to come out and join us for the session that they registered for this year. 

Parents and Sponsors: If you have already sent the Saskatchewan Co-operative Association your registration fees for Camp, these fees will be refunded to you very soon.

Please feel free to contact Tracey Quiring, our Program Officer, at tracey.quiring@sask.coop, or at (306) 343-3583 if you have any questions, comments or concerns.


 

CO-OP CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT IS CANCELLED

 

For the same reasons, and because golf tournaments are currently prohibited, the board and management of SCA have also cancelled the annual Co-op Classic Golf Tournament, which was scheduled for June 25, 2020.  

Details on next year’s event will be posted early in 2021.

 


 

ONLY DAYS REMAIN TO NOMINATE CO-OP ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS



NOMINATIONS CLOSE MAY 15TH! 

The 2020 Saskatchewan Co-operative Merit Awards honour individuals and organizations that have made an outstanding contribution to co-operatives and credit unions in Saskatchewan. 

We're seeking nominations in some or all of the following four categories. Awards will be presented October 13, 2020 during Co-op Week Celebrations.
(1) LIFETIME CO-OPERATIVE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. For long, varied and meritorious service by individuals in volunteer and/or elected positions within co-operatives and credit unions. 

(2) CO-OPERATIVE CONTRIBUTION AWARD. For those who inspire others as a role model, leader and mentor through the development and expansion of co-operatives and credit unions, or increasing awareness and understanding of co-operatives and co-op principles. 

(3) CO-OPERATIVE ENTERPRISE AWARD. For leadership, innovation and achievement in co-operative business and member service initiatives for the social and economic development of the co-operative sector. (You may also self-nominate in this category.)

(4) CO-OPERATIVE YOUNG LEADERS AWARD. For outstanding contribution by a young person to co-operatives and credit unions in Saskatchewan. 

Visit http://sask.coop/events/co-op-merit-awards to view the sample nomination form and details on the award categories and eligibility. Then submit your nomination online using that same link.



WANT TO BE INSPIRED?

Visit our Merit Awards video archive to view stories of the men, women and organizations who have shaped (or are shaping!) our province’s co-op and credit union sectors. We've assembled a list of past Co-op Merit Award recipients and their profile videos back to 2010 HERE

Who should we add to the list for 2020? Recognize a co-op leader, mentor or innovator by submitting a nomination by May 15th.

FEDERATED CO-OPERATIVES LIMITED LAUNCHES CO-OP HELPS


Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) and its member co-operatives have launched “Co-op Helps” to support individuals and communities across Western Canada as they face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the first phase, they’re offering up to 1,250 in $100 Co-op Gift Cards to those nominated for having gone above and beyond to help their friends, neighbours or community during the pandemic. (This could be anyone from a frontline worker to someone down the street delivering baking to their neighbours.)  Nominations will be accepted May 5 to 19.

Through FCL, Co-op is also making a $250,000 donation to food banks in Western Canada. This donation is over and above the annual contributions – nearly 540,000 kilograms (1.2 million pounds) of products in 2019 – FCL makes through its distribution centres. 

In the coming months, Co-op will be looking to help rebuild local communities through additional support for charitable and community organizations, including through the Co-op Community Spaces Program.

To nominate an individual or to learn more about Co-op’s community efforts during the pandemic, visit www.wecare.crs.

 

CCSC LAUNCHES NEW VIDEO SERIES


The Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives (CCSC) has launched a new online video conversation series titled, “Co-operatives in a Time of Crisis” at https://www.usaskstudies.coop/public-talks/co-operatives-in-a-time-of-crisis-conversation-series.php.  

This series explores the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Canadian co-operatives, large and small, and how co-ops, in turn, are making use of their co-operative structure to better serve their members during this time. 

The ongoing video series features conversational interviews between CCSC personnel, fellows, and staff and leaders in the Canadian co-operative sector. The series begins by featuring the perspectives of credit union leaders from across Canada, including
  • Eric Dillon, Chief Executive Officer of Conexus Credit Union 
  • Ian Glassford, Former Chief Financial Officer of Servus Credit Union 
  • David Losier, Management Consultant and Financial Expert, and former Chief Financial Officer, UNI Financial Cooperation 
  • Mark Lane, Chief Executive Officer, Affinity Credit Union 
  • Garth Manness, Chief Executive Officer, Credit Union Central of Manitoba 
  • Andy Poprawa, Regulatory Expert and Advisor, and former Chief Executive Officer at the Deposit Insurance Corporation of Ontario (DICO) 
  • Rob Wellstood, Chief Executive Officer, Kawartha Credit Union 
  • Elvy Del Bianco, Cooperative Portfolio Manager, Community Business & Investment, Vancity Credit Union. 
Stay tuned for the second edition of the Co-operatives in Times of Crisis conversation series, which will feature discussions with a cross section of leaders in other parts of the co-operative sector.

NATIONAL CREDIT UNION MENTORSHIP PROGRAM


Registration is now open for the Canadian Credit Union Association’s 2020 National Mentorship Program (NMP). The program pairs industry leaders with employees identified as future leaders in the credit union system. The program is fully funded by CCUA and offers mentorship opportunities across four streams in full digital format.

Who is eligible?
  • Mentors: Experienced leaders, directors and digital savvy employees with skills and experiences they are willing to share.
  • Mentees: Any credit union employee or director who has the desire to build skills or abilities and accept coaching from another.
There are four mentorship streams: Director, Digital Agility, Women and Leadership.

The program runs from May – November and the average time commitment is two hours per month. Learn more at https://ccua.com/about-ccua/national-mentorship-program/

 

AGRICULTURAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES


"Step up to the plate and help feed Canadians." That’s the message from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. 

Jobs in agriculture and agri-food are diverse, rewarding and employ many different skill sets. They include positions on farms, in food and beverage manufacturing, in distribution, and much more. 

Many Canadians have seen their jobs affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Now is the time to take advantage of the many employment opportunities available in the agriculture and agri-food sectors. 

Here is a link to more than 25 employment resource sites across Canada, including those specializing in agriculture and agri-food jobs. https://buff.ly/2WJvYnN

 

NEW BLOG POSTS FOR YOU


The Unique Partnership Between the Saskatoon Community Clinic and SWITCH

SCA's Summer Administrative Assistant, Effie Kosmas, volunteers with the Student Wellness Initiative Toward Community Health (SWITCH).

We asked her to share some information about what SWITCH is and the partnership between SWITCH and the Saskatoon Community Clinic.

Read about it in our latest SCA blog post HERE



 
Learning About Co-ops: An Assortment of Co-op Learning Ideas for You

In her latest SCA blog post, SCA's Executive Director, Victoria Morris, tells us about a number of Canadian and international opportunities for co-operative-focussed learning opportunities. 

Victoria highlights both academic and non-academic learning, and includes self-guided, and event or course-based options. Learning opportunities range from blogs, to Co-ops 101 webinars, to Masters’ and Certificate-level academic and degree programs. Check out Victoria’s post HERE

WAS THIS NEWSLETTER FORWARDED
TO YOU?


Co-op news is best when shared! If this copy of the SCA Co-operative Spotlight newsletter was forwarded to you, please SUBSCRIBE so you can stay connected.
Click on the links below to share this newsletter to others.
Tweet
Share
Forward
Saskatchewan Co-operative Association (SCA) is the apex organization for the province’s 900 co-operatives and credit unions. SCA is incorporated as a community service co-operative and is owned by its members, many of which are co-op federations or associations. 

On behalf of the Saskatchewan co-operative community, SCA works to support and promote the co-operative model for community and economic development. 

Copyright © 2020 Saskatchewan Co-operative Association, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can
update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Forward this copy to a friendSubscribe to our newsletter.
Read past issues of the SCA newsletter.

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp