Help us Advocate for Co-operatives!
On April 28 and in partnership with the Conseil de la coopération de l’Ontario (CCO), OCA is hosting its annual spring Co-operative Queen’s Park Reception.
We need leaders and change-makers in the Ontario co-operative sector to help us showcase the strength and diversity of our movement to our Members of Provincial Parliament. This is also a wonderful and unique opportunity to connect with your MPPs and other government staffers, and tell them about the impact that your co-operative organization has on the community.
We need to keep reminding them that co-operatives matter, that we make significant contributions to the economy, that we care about the environment and that we put people and community first.
While OCA will be reaching out to all MPPs, we encourage you to contact your MPP's office directly and invite them to the Reception - they are more likely to attend if their own constituents are in the room!
As this event is free to attend, we depend solely on the generosity of organizations in the form of sponsorships to make it possible. To see how your organization can help support our advocacy efforts at Queen’s Park and how we can recognize you for your support, please view our Sponsorship document.
The Reception will take place in the second floor committee rooms from 5 – 7pm, and a variety of light refreshments and beverages will be served. Feel free to share the invitation with your colleagues and members!
|
|
Co-operators and MPPs gather for breakfast at Queen’s Park
On February 25, close to 30 representatives from the co-operative sector participated in a networking and informational session in the early morning hours at Queen’s Park. They were met by 14 Members of Provincial Parliament, as well as several Ministry staffers, who came out to learn about co-operatives and show their support of the Ontario co-operative movement.
During the one-hour meeting, attendees mingled and spoke to MPPs over breakfast. The three Co-op Caucus Co-Chairs, Randy Pettapiece (Conservative, MPP Perth—Wellington), Chris Glover (NDP, MPP Spadina—Fort York) and Mike Schreiner (Green, MPP Guelph), each took a few minutes to address the delegates and share their support for and their commitment to improving the legislative environment for co-operatives.
Julien Geremie, CCO's Executive Director, and OCA’s Executive Director Erin Morgan, also addressed the delegates, briefly informing them on how co-operatives raise capital, and highlighting the need to update the Offering Statement Regulations. They emphasized that Ontario co-operatives require an increase to exemption thresholds for offering statements, and that these thresholds were last reviewed 25 years ago and are inadequate for modern co-operatives to raise the capital required for their businesses. (Learn more in OCA’s pre-budget consultation document).
OCA would like to formally thank all those who came out to support our advocacy efforts, as well as express our gratitude to the following four organizations for sponsoring this event:
|
|
Intern Facilitators now welcome at CYL
The Co-operative Young Leaders (CYL) program is very pleased to announce our work with intern facilitators at CYL this year. We had an overwhelming number of requests from our senior participants last year, asking if they could come back and be an intern facilitator at camp in 2020. We could not be more excited with the response and we are very much looking forward to their perspective and how this will enhance the CYL program!
We are also very happy to acknowledge one of our Intern Facilitators, Maya Linsley, who was just awarded one of the 36 scholarships for the Loren Scholars Foundation in the amount of $100,000.00! We congratulate Maya and are very much looking forward to hearing more about the award at CYL this summer. Read the article on Maya online in KitchenerToday.
JOIN OUR FACILITATION TEAM…
Consider joining us for an incredible professional development experience! Due to high demand, we have only a couple of spots left on our facilitation team for this year. At CYL, you have the opportunity to strengthen your own leadership skills by engaging the minds and hearts of the next generation of co-operative leaders. Visit our website for more information.
|
|
|
Megan Shipton
Youth Representative on the Board of OCA
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 joined the co-operative movement as an employee of Ag Energy Co-operative Ltd. (AEC) in the role of Member Relations and Sales Analyst. My passion for AEC and energy is driven by my education in Electrical Engineering from Queen’s University. I currently live in Hamilton and participate in local sporting organizations for ringette, hockey, baseball and golf. I am always looking for something new to challenge myself!
How long have you been involved in the co-operative movement, and what do you love most about it?
Over the past two and a half years I have been directly involved in the co-operative movement as an employee of Ag Energy Co-operative Ltd. (AEC). In this same time period, I have taken my respect for the co-operative business model and started to show my support outside of the office, specifically when purchasing items at the grocery store. It is great to know there are so many businesses that are co-operatives or supporters of the co-operative movement, and that there are many ways to support them ourselves.
If there is one thing you would want people to know about co-ops, what would it be?
A membership with a co-operative offers value other ‘memberships’ do not; it offers you a voice and the opportunity to be involved with the company’s future. The impact co-operatives make is propelled by its membership.
Why is your co-operative a member of OCA?
AEC is powered by contribution, caring and co-operation. Working with OCA and their member’s offers AEC a chance to enhance our member benefits and grow the co-op movement.
What do you think are some of the benefits of being a member of OCA?
Being a member of OCA allows AEC to provide our members with a voice on a larger, provincial, platform. The OCA provides a unique opportunity to work with and for other co-operatives, while keeping focus on what matters most to our members.
Why did you decide to join the OCA board as a Director?
I decided to join the OCA as the Youth Director to further my education on co-operatives. Working for a co-operative brings a great sense of purpose to my job, as I have seen the positive effects of our business. I thrive in the co-operative culture and am happy I can immerse myself in it by participating on the Board of Directors.
How has your past experience helped you in this role?
Currently in my role at AEC, I provide members with insights into their energy consumption through reporting. I have also gained experience informing current and prospective members of the benefits of co-operatives.
I started work in the energy sector after studying Electrical Engineering at Queen’s University. Since graduating, I have passed my Professional Engineers Ontario Professional Practice Examination (PPE) and am working towards my P.Eng. designation. The PPE exam taught me about ethics, professional practice, engineering law and professional liability. I understand what professional practice is to look like and am willing to do what it takes to implement it.
What do you think are some of the opportunities and challenges facing OCA in the next 3 - 5 years?
As the Youth Director on the Board, I look forward to the initiatives the OCA has in mind for outreach to youth across the province. As more youth become, and remain involved, the OCA is presented with opportunity and challenge to grow that outreach further. The OCA has had a very positive impact so far, and I look forward to the future as some of these youth enter the workforce.
What is your vision for OCA?
My vision for OCA is that the education they have provided to youth, members and communities, strengthens and furthers support of the co-operative movement for this generation and those to come.
Share a fun/silly thing that not many people know about you!
My favourite game show is Jeopardy! While I can’t say I would make it onto the show it always feels great when I can yell an answer out at the TV!
|
|
Our membership includes co-op friendly service providers that understand and support co-operatives in and their unique business needs. This month, we are highlighting Brooke Telecom and CL Chamberlain Communication. To view the complete list, click here.
|
|
|
Brooke Telecom owned by its members, has been connecting rural communities including Inwood, Alvinston, and Watford since 1911. Dedicated to its customer’s needs, Brooke Telecom provides reliable state of the art communication services including voice, data, cellular, dial up and high speed internet. For more information, visit www.brooketel.coop.
|
|
|
Cathy Chamberlain, of CL Chamberlain Communication, is a specialist in co-operative communication, public relations, member relations, and outreach. To learn more about her services, reach out online at www.linkedin.com/in/clccom/.
|
|
CO-OP CORNER: News, Events & Jobs
|
|
|
Check out the following articles on co-operatives across the province!
|
|
|
Annual spring Co-operative Queen’s Park Reception. Meet your MPP and help support co-op advocacy initiatives that will strengthen your co-operative! Tuesday, April 28, 2020 in the second floor committee rooms of the Main Legislative Building, Queen’s Park. LEARN MORE.
|
|
|
Co-opalooza Conference and Retreat. June 25 – 26, 2020 at the Co-operative Education Centre near Aylmer ON. LEARN MORE.
|
|
|
36th Annual Credit Union Directors’ Forum “Trust and Confidence in Governance Oversight.” October 15 – 17, 2020 at the Hilton Mississauga Meadowvale. Invitation is also open to CU/CP Directors from across Canada! LEARN MORE.
|
|
The Agency for Co-operative Housing has a one-year full-time contract position open for a Senior Administrative Assistant based on Toronto ON. Apply by February 28, 2020.
The Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada has a two-year full-time contract position available as a Program Manager, Asset Management Services. This position is based in Toronto ON. Deadline to apply is 5pm on March 10, 2020.
Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada has several volunteer opportunities available.
|
|
|
CHECK OUT THESE WEBINARS...
|
|
February 28: The Social and Solidarity Economy and Worker Co-ops. Learn what the SSE is, and how worker co-ops can partner with it for mutual benefit. $20. REGISTER!
March 11: Content marketing and the fifth co-operative principle. Learn the commonalities and how to leverage it. Free webinar. REGISTER!
|
|
|
|
|
