|
Megan Shipton, OCA's newly elected Youth Director,
addresses the membership at the Oct. 15 AGM.
|
|
Membership elects new Board at AGM
OCA celebrated Co-op Week with its members at its Annual General Meeting on October 15. About 60 members gathered at the Springfield Golf & Country Club in Guelph ON to learn about our accomplishments and challenges over the past fiscal year, elect a new board, say goodbye to our retiring board members, and approve an amendment to a Bylaw.
We are very pleased to welcome our new Board, comprised of the following individuals:
- Maureen Gillespie - representing The Co-operators
- Jennifer Woodhouse - representing Gay Lea Foods Co-operative
- Sally Miller - representing the Canadian Worker Co-op Federation
- Megan Shipton (Youth Director)
- Chris Caners - representing SolarShare
- Janice Johnson - representing GROWMARK, Inc.
- Joel Lalonde - representing Central 1 Credit Union
- Jordan Moat - representing Libro Credit Union
- Hugh Nelson - representing Y's Owl MacLure Co-operative Centre
The new Board elected Maureen Gillespie as Chair, Jennifer Woodhouse as Vice-Chair and Secretary, and Sally Miller as Treasurer. Chris Caners, Jordan Moat and Megan Shipton were all newly elected to the Board. We look forward to working with all of you in the weeks and months ahead!
We also said goodbye to three directors, Michelle Vieira of Ag Energy Co-operative (former Vice-Chair), Chrystal McNerney of CHF Canada, Ontario Region (former Secretary), and Laura Toombs (former Youth Director), and thanked them for them years of dedication and contributions to the OCA Board. In lieu of gifts, a donation to the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada was made in their names.
The membership also approved a proposed change to the Bylaw by the Governance and Membership Committee, to article 3.02 - Members Rights and Responsibilities. The newly amended Bylaw removed the reviewing and commenting on the annual budget, and reviewing and commenting on long-term planning documents from the memberships’ responsibilities, as these items are operational and not the responsibility of the membership, but that of the Board of Directors.
|
|
OCA seeks new advocacy opportunities
Following the AGM, our membership participated in a Government Relations session where they learned about the progress on some of our original advocacy goals, as well as our ongoing advocacy work. Michael Ras, Director, Government and Stakeholder Relations of Meridian Credit Union, also provided an update on the current regulatory landscape of the Ontario credit union system.
The membership was then invited to think about and share current regulatory and legislative challenges and barriers that their business sectors are facing, for future advocacy opportunities. Erin Morgan, Executive Director who also oversees the organization's Government Relations efforts, explained that the goal is to develop a list of potential opportunities from which to select a few key issues that would affect the greater good of all co-operatives in the province. OCA's ability to move forward on these issues would depend on its available resources, and the expertise of our government relations and regulatory affairs committees.
For more information, please contact Erin at emorgan@ontario.coop.
|
|
Celebrating Co-op Week by recognizing our co-op leaders
For the past twenty years, we have been recognizing inspirational leaders in the Ontario co-operative community with a Co-operative Spirit Award.
Following our Annual General Meeting on October 15 – and for the first-time ever hosting the award ceremony at our AGM – we celebrated two individuals and one organization for their significant contributions to the Ontario co-operative movement.
Kerr Smith of Gay Lea Foods Co-operative (and former Education Manager of OCA), Kelly Storie of La Siembra Co-operative, and FirstOntario Credit Union were the three chosen recipients of the honour this year.
Read the media release to learn more about them!
|
|
|
|
Click on the image to check out our latest Annual Report!
|
|
New CYL bursary honors retired colleague
The Co-operative Young Leaders (CYL) program is grateful and very pleased to join Central 1 Credit Union in announcing a new bursary for youth who wish to participate in our unique co-operative leadership program.
Dorothy Watson dedicated 37 years of her career to the credit union system. It was by serendipitous chance for the credit union movement that a temp agency placed Dorothy at Co-operative Trust Company of Canada (now Concentra) and lit up a career path leading change for the system.
Over the course of nearly four decades, Dorothy led change in the system from all angles including at the helm of Ottawa Women’s Credit Union as the General Manager before she was recruited to Credit Union Central of Ontario. After successfully overseeing several departments including Human Resources, Credit Union Training, and Marketing, Dorothy found a focus that would grow to fuel her drive for the duration of her career: fostering a service excellence culture. With Dorothy leading consultation with credit unions and managing this change journey across CUCO, they more than doubled member approval ratings in just two years.
Ever since, she has been elevating the member voice, seeking to understand their diverse perspectives, and championing new collaborative opportunities for the system in a member relations role. Dorothy built a high level of trust with credit unions across Ontario. No matter the role or conversation, she was always guided by the co-operative principles and values that keep us all rooted and connected to a deeper purpose.
Dorothy has always so generously shared her insightful perspectives gathered through a career dedicated to furthering the impact and reach of the credit union movement. To ensure the enduring impact that is Dorothy’s career legacy, a bursary fund has been created in her name. The Dorothy Watson CYL Bursary fund supports the emerging leaders that are advancing the co-operative system.
If you wish to donate please visit the Ontario Credit Union Foundation website.
In addition to this wonderful bursary opportunity CYL also has the Bernie Daly Memorial Fund and the Guido Chezzie bursary fund. Please visit our website for more information on all of our bursary and funding opportunities.
|
|
|
Maureen Gillespie (Board Chair as of October 15, 2019)
Representing The Co-operators
Tell us a bit about yourself (i.e., your background (where you grew up, education, children, which co-operative you work for, your position, etc.)
I work for The Co-operators Group and have for the past 33 years. Currently my role is Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Change Management which puts me at the forefront of many new and exciting initiatives for my organization. I grew up in Moncton, New Brunswick, graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Education and taught school for 4 years before relocating to Ontario. I’ve lived in both northern Ontario (Sault Ste. Marie) and southern Ontario, but I’m still a Maritime girl at heart and would love to retire by the sea someday.
How long have you been involved in the co-operative movement, and what do you love most about it?
I learned about the co-operative movement from my parents who were members of the local Coop grocery store. I remember my mother handing the cashier her “coop card” and explaining to me that the store “paid her” based on how much she shopped there and thinking that was a very cool concept. My career at The Co-operators started while still at university where I worked as a summer student at The Co-operators office in Moncton. Although I took a break, I found my way back to The Co-operators and have never regretted my career choice. Seeing how the co-operative values are reflected in the way we run our insurance business has always made me very proud.
If there is one thing you would want people to know about co-ops, what would it be?
I think co-ops are one of the best kept secrets. It shouldn’t be a secret and we need to shout about our values from the rooftops. Particularly the value of concern for community. These co-operative values are the underpinning of how co-ops do business and the decisions they make. In today’s world, people are longing for authenticity and want to do business with organizations that are different, truly put communities first and live their values. This is real for co-ops, more than just the flavour of the month and exactly what our communities need.
Why is your co-operative a member of OCA?
The Co-operators is owned by 45 member organizations across Canada, all of which are cooperatives. Supporting the OCA and other provincial co-operative associations helps to support our member owners and contributes to a strong co-operative sector which is very important to us.
What do you think are some of the benefits of being a member of OCA?
The OCA helps coops have a strong voice especially with government. It’s still surprising to me that governments (both provincial and federal) don’t have a good understanding of the co-operative business structure and how co-ops can help governments achieve their goals. We also advocate for improved education on the cooperative business model in schools and universities to inspire young people to consider coops as a viable and sustainable business model. Our Co-op Business Development team does great work in this area as well. Our Co-operative Young Leaders camps are a great way to instill co-operative values in youth who are our leaders of tomorrow.
Why did you decide to join the OCA board as a Director?
The Co-operators offers 2 paid volunteer days every year to all employees. It’s a wonderful program that inspired me to make a commitment to volunteer more regularly. In addition to other volunteer activities, I wanted to volunteer in the co-operative sector and learn more about co-ops at the grass roots level. The opportunity arose to join the board representing The Co-operators and I was thrilled to have the opportunity. I have been on the board now for 3 years and I also chair the Education Committee.
How has your past experience helped you in this role?
My education and background in Education has certainly helped me on the Education Committee. And my business experience in the insurance and financial services sector with The Co-operators helps me bring a business perspective to the board.
What do you think are some of the opportunities and challenges facing OCA in the next 3 - 5 years?
Building stronger awareness and understanding of the cooperative business model, particularly with governments, is critical. Our advocacy work focuses on putting co-ops on an even playing field with other businesses and removing barriers to allow coops to grow and thrive. To remove these barriers that exist today we need stronger government understanding and support of the co-op model. Funding is also always a challenge for the OCA in that we have so many ideas and plans, but not enough funds to make some of our great ideas a reality.
What is your vision for OCA?
To play a leadership role in improving the public’s awareness and understanding of co-operatives, the uniqueness of the co-operative model and how it can contribute to strong communities. To have people choose co-ops to do business with whenever they have that choice.
Share a fun/silly thing that not many people know about you!
My secret guilty pleasure is organizing! I like nothing better than to organize a closet or junk drawer. While I find it relaxing, my family doesn’t share my passion and so usually on a lazy Saturday morning with nothing to do and I say “let’s organize the linen closet!” Needless-to- say I’m met with moans and groans and left to enjoy this activity on my own. Call me if anyone needs help getting their garage organized!
|
|
Member Profile
(Submitted by: Adele Rosanova, Executive Director, PCPC)
PCPC is a co-operative federation of 40 non-profit childcare centres and nursery school co-ops dedicated to the goal of quality early childhood education and parent participation in education. Our member centres operate across the province of Ontario.
Services and programs provided by PCPC, impact over 1600 urban and rural families including an extended network of parents and RECE professionals.
PCPC has weathered many years of change and development within the childcare sector since our start in 1974. Included among our members are some of the most longstanding co-operatives in Canada, a few with over half century of service.
As a co-operative, PCPC’s primary “raison d’etre” is member service. We may be small in size for a corporation, but our impact is huge in the world of co-ops. Through our services we provide our members a wealth of information around Governance, Professional Development, Consultation and Assistance from policy and procedures to education bulletins.
PCPC believes in a strong commitment to promote quality learning environments which enhance the level of care and education for young children while strengthening the partnership between parents and teachers.
We believe together we can shape our future to withstand the challenging times ahead and find creative solutions that will allow non-profit/co-op childcare centres to continue to thrive for many years to come.
Learn more about PCPC online!
|
|
|
Governance Practices top of mind at Directors Forum
From October 3 – 5, over 120 credit union and caisse populaire directors gathered at the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale to share and discuss best practices as they relate to the governance of their organizations.
The 35th annual Directors' Forum (DF) was a resounding success, with top-notch speakers from within and outside of the credit union and co-operative system, as well as academics, practitioners and expert facilitators.
A welcome cocktail reception launched the conference on the Thursday evening, followed by the Annual General Meeting on Friday morning. The DF welcomed two new directors to the Executive Committee: Ken Chan of Alterna & Savings Credit Union and Leo Racette of Sudbury Credit Union. They also said goodbye to two retiring directors, Stephen McDermott of The Police Credit Union and Pauline Wainwright, former director of PACE Credit Union, and recognized seven long-serving Directors with a Long-Term Service Award for their contributions and dedication to the credit union system.
Mark White, the new CEO of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), welcomed the delegates and shared his vision for a new "principles-based regulator" of Ontario’s credit unions. White’s introduction was followed by an engaging presentation on “Leadership Continuity Risk” and a series of dynamic panel discussions on the topics of “ Board Membership Engagement,” “ Risk Management,” and “The Future of Ontario’s Credit Unions.”
The last day of the conference included a presentation by Martha Durdin, CEO of the Canadian Credit Union Association, who shared an update on the CCUA and the national credit union landscape. The final session was an all-morning interactive workshop on “High Performing Board Barometers," for which participants received a half-continuing education credit from CUDA.
OCA would like to take this opportunity to thank the Directors’ Forum for their continued support of our co-operative educational goals, and for their generous donation to the Co-operative Young Leaders program, on behalf of their 2019 speakers and retiring directors!
|
|
CO-OP CORNER: News, Events, Jobs and more!
|
|
|
Co-operatives First and the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives (CCSC) at the University of Saskatchewan have announced a FREE online course all about co-ops. The course begins October 28th and runs for 6 weeks. Learn more.
|
|
|
CWCF and Co-opZone are hosting the Building Resilient Communities – Ecology, Equality, and Workplace Democracy conference from October 24 – 26 at the Tamagouche Centre in Nova Scotia. Learn more.
|
|
|
Social Finance Forum, Toronto ON. November 6 – 8, 2019. Learn more.
|
|
Innoweave, a project of the McConnel Foundation, provides social innovation coaching to established charities and non-profits across Canada to help them sharpen their focus and improve performance. For the Investment Readiness Program (IRP), Innoweave mainly supports social-purpose organizations (SPOs) as follows:
- Helping SPOs learn and explore how social finance can enhance their impact;
- Generate and clarify viable, impactful social finance project ideas; and
- Identify the right service providers to help the SPO become investment-ready.
|
|
CHF Canada is seeking a Program Manager, Education Services, based in Ottawa ON. Apply by 5:00pm, November 5, 2019.
The Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada has volunteer opportunities available in Indonesia and Malawi.
|
|
|
|
|
