The Co-op Current
The latest news and information for and about Ontario's co-operatives!
Issue 10: December 9, 2021
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The Changing Role and Responsibilities of the Board
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We are all coping with change, including co-operatives and the people who drive them. But how have the last few years of change – before and during the global pandemic – had an impact on Boards and their members?
Over the last decade, those and responsibilities have seen change accelerated by the pandemic, when many board members found themselves making judgement calls around situations they were unprepared and ill-suited for. Here, I would like to touch on some of those changes and how to control the risk to organizations and their Boards.
For most of us, you join a board for various personal reasons where you felt you could benefit an organization and that organization could benefit you.
- You have a specific cause that is important to you, and you want to be active in supporting it.
- You have specific skills that could help an organization stay or become more viable.
- You want to “give back” and do your civic duty.
- You are concerned about your community and want to have a say in its future.
- You are building your career and being a board member would allow you to learn new skills or practice current ones.
- You think non-profit board experience would be considered a plus on your resume or in your academic credentials.
- You want the opportunity to network with like-minded or otherwise interesting people.
In many cases, the will was enough to supersede the skill in a successful board member. However, increasingly, the ask has become greater around the expertise of each board director to create a competent and successful board.
Increased Regulation – This is where we have seen the largest impact on all industries and where the expertise of a board can be challenged. Remember, within the board’s mandate is to develop, implement and monitor policies that will allow the organization to carry out its work. The combination of specific knowledge of the business and the required oversight needed can be daunting.
With Increased Regulation comes Increased Reporting – The ability to monitor the success of an organization has also increased in complexity. Expertise is needed to cut through the reporting to understand both successes and gaps, and the ability to communicate the positives or negatives to the rest of the board team.
Technology – The ability to connect remotely has been a fundamental part of life these past two years, and it is hard pressed to see that convenience reversing course, especially for boards that may stretch extensive geographic areas. The challenge this brings is when committing time and focus to strategic planning and priorities. The dreaded “dead air” is often a reality of deep thought, but it can be difficult for board Chairs to let a topic “breathe” enough for it to be thoroughly fleshed out.
How does a Board navigate these challenges?
There are two solutions, both of which should be executed by any board looking to be successful into the future:
- Board Training – A successful board should invest in its directors to “skill up” in board specific requirements. Topics such as financial reporting, governance, compensation & succession planning, crisis management, strategic planning, etc. can all be valuable assets to increase a director’s ability to govern properly.
- Board Recruitment – The development of a board recruitment committee that is active not only when vacancies arise, but that are constantly planning for the future, is key to a board’s success. The committee should undergo skills assessments of existing board members, gap analysis, and should be proactively creating an evergreen list for future directors.
Being a part of a Board of Directors is a challenge that is far outweighed by the reward that it brings. The Scout motto “Be Prepared” rings true today on how the board and its directors should approach the task at hand.
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Get the latest information and updates on our strategic areas and check out our member profiles...
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OCA Welcomes New Team Member!
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The staff at OCA is excited to welcome Sujit Basak to the organization as the new Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper!
Sujit’s main role will be to perform bookkeeping for all financial transactions, reconcile and balance all accounts, analyze financial data, as well as to produce financial reports and budgets.
He immigrated from Bangladesh to
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Canada with his family in 2013. Before coming, he successfully completed his Master of Business administration from Stamford University Bangladesh, followed by a Master of Accounting from National University, Bangladesh.
Sujit has also obtained a Business Administration Diploma in Accounting from Bow Valley College in Calgary, AB. Recently, he completed his CPA (PREP) and is also a candidate of CPA PEP under CPA Western School of Business, AB.
He really likes to work with non-profit organizations like OCA, to help develop their policy and programs, and has already enjoyed participating in different co-op-related webinars and learning about the CYL program.
Sujit’s goal is to develop and strengthen the co-operative sector, by using his experience and education in Canada. He believes that both the government and private organizations should help create more co-operatives and co-op community programs, as a way to radically improve the social welfare of society.
We look forward to learning more about Sujit and working with him!
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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR MARCH BREAK AND SUMMER CAMP
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We are very excited to announce that registration for 2022 March break and summer camp is now open! Please visit us online for dates and details.
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FACILITATION OPPORTUNITIES
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Being a facilitator is an incredible professional development experience; it offers an opportunity to strengthen your own leadership skills by engaging the minds and hearts of the next generation of co-operative leaders. CYL facilitators build their presentation and communication skills, emerge with an amazing team-
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building experience rarely found in the office, and a new confidence born of making a tangible difference in the lives of others. CYL is both an intensive and rejuvenating week at camp.
Here’s what you need to know:
- No experience necessary: CYL is as much a learning opportunity for facilitators as it is for the youth, so we’re looking for people with all experience levels.
- All ages welcome: We need fresh new ideas, tried and tested wisdom and everything in between. If you are interested in helping youth participants learn, you’re right for the role.
- Must love co-ops: We are looking for facilitators with a passion for the co-operative sector, to make sure the co-operative principles remain at the heart of our program.
- Bring your creativity: CYL has an established curriculum, refined, and updated over the decades. With our course materials as a foundation and your own creative input to make it shine, CYL can be an amazing experience for facilitators and participants.
Co-operatives are very generous and allow most of our facilitators to count the time towards community service or corporate involvement goals. CYL is very appreciative of our co-operative sector who sponsor leadership/facilitators for a week at camp. A special thanks to Gay Lea Foods Co-operative for their generous sponsorship of the March Break leadership/facilitation team!
COME JOIN US AND EXPERIENCE THE "CYL MAGIC!
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND APPLY TO BE A FACILITATOR
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Guide to the Act - an invaluable resource for members, directors and staff
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OCA has recently updated the Guide to the Act. The newest version (2021) is a comprehensive, plain-language explanation of the details within the Ontario Co-operative Corporations Act. It includes advice about the procedures and protocols that define the operations of Ontario co-operatives, along with comments on how certain provisions may
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be used, and it includes all (2019 and 2020) changes to the Act. This document is $35 for Members and $50 for Non-Members and is available in a searchable PDF format (164 pages) in English only. Click here to get your updated version today!
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Co-op Riding lists – a great tool for ON co-operatives and credit unions!
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OCA recently updated its list of Ontario co-operatives based on the electoral riding they are situated in. Historically, this resource has been shared with Members of Provincial Parliament and other government officials as a means to highlight all the co-ops in their constituencies. However, this is also a great tool that co-operatives can access
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on our website for free, to see what other co-ops are in their communities! Why not make a plan to reach out to them, and see how you can collaborate on promoting the co-operatives in your region, or talking about how you can help support one another? Consider making P6, Co-operation among Co-operatives, part of your next strategic plan and use our lists as a resource to help you put this plan into action!
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We asked one of our newest Board members, Jackie Littlejohn, representing GROWMARK, Inc., to share a bit about herself...
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Tell us about yourself (i.e., your background (where you grew up, education, children, which co-operative you work for, your position, etc.)
I grew up in Brant County on a farrow to finish hog farm. Attended the University of Guelph for Agricultural Business. I now reside in Oxford County with my family, working for GROWMARK, Inc. as their Marketing and Communication Specialist for the Ontario Region.
How long have you been involved in the co-operative movement, and what do you love most about it?
I have been involved with the co-operative movement since I was 14 and first attended CYL. I love the sense of community that comes with the co-operative movement.
If there is one thing you would want people to know about co-ops, what would it be?
The community and concern for others within with co-operative community.
Why is your co-operative a member of OCA?
GROWMARK is a federated regional co-operative. It is important for GROWMARK to partner with various associations that continue to add value for our members. OCA offers a great deal of insight into potential opportunities and/or challenges within the co-op sector and government that can impact our members. We value the expertise and support OCA brings to our co-op network.
What do you think are some of the benefits of being a member of OCA?
The ability to collaborate with other co-operatives in Ontario and Canada.
What do you think are some of the opportunities and challenges facing OCA in the next 3 - 5 years?
As the world emerges from COVID we have seen some distinct changes in how we work and the priorities we deem important. Co-operatives are uniquely positioned to showcase ourselves as the choice for business.
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Stay current on the latest news and information on co-operatives in Ontario...
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CO-OP CORNER
Explore upcoming events and current jobs in the co-operative sector, as well as co-op research and consultations, readworthy articles and videos...
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EVENTS - COURSES & WEBINARS
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WHEN: January 11, 2022, 11am – 12pm EST via Zoom
WHAT: The New Ontario Business Registry: A How-to Guide for Ontario’s Co-operatives and Credit Unions
WHO: Hosted and presented by the Ontario Co-operative Association
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Every corporation in Ontario will need to interact with the new Ontario Business Registry at some point in the near future. Let us walk you through the process and answer some common questions including:
- How to gain access to your corporate information within the registry.
- How to request copies of your Articles of Incorporation or Certificate of Status and find useful forms and information.
- How to submit an electronic filing of your Form 1 - Initial Return/Notice of Change.
This session will be relevant for any incorporated co-operative or credit union, their Corporate Secretaries, General Managers, Administrative Assistants, or anyone who keeps track of the corporate and business records for the organization.
This session is FREE for OCA Members and $15 + HST for Non-Members. Register today!
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WHEN: February 2, 2022, 10:30am – 12pm EST via Zoom
WHAT: The Board’s Role in Member Representation
WHO: Hosted and presented by the Directors’ Forum Co-operative
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Boards of Directors are expected to focus on strategy while leaving operations to management. Yet, when Directors speak to their members, the concerns they hear are typically focused on day-to-day issues. This session will share ideas from school board trustees and credit unions on how to solicit feedback from members, which can help provide strategic insights.
In preparation for this session, you are asked to complete this survey to share insights from your credit union, co-operative or mutual organization. Register here!
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Proud Sponsor of the Co-op Current!
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