UP TO $500,000 IN DEVELOPMENT GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE FOR CANADIAN CO-OPS To be eligible for a grant, organizations must be incorporated as a co-operative at the time of their application.
Co-operators is once again making up to $500,000 in co-op development grants available through the Co-operative Development Program (CDP).
CDP supports emerging and expanding co-operatives, particularly those that operate in the Social Wellness, Inclusive Economy, and Environmental Resilience sectors. The grants could cover costs associated with co-operative business development, including feasibility studies and market research, business planning, marketing and promotion, member engagement, and legal and financial supports.
The maximum grant amount available is $20,000 and the total amount to be disbursed this year is up to $500,000.
Are you 35 or under and driving change at your co-operative?
Co-operators is collaborating with Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC) to provide a unique leadership development opportunity for up-and-coming young changemakers who are making a difference at their co-op and within their community.
Is this you:
- You are 18 to 35 years of age
- You work, volunteer, or learn in the co-operatives and mutuals sector in Canada
What award recipients can expect:
- $1,000 cash
- Participation in the Co-operators Leadership Academy (a 12-month virtual program providing Workshops, Networking, Skill-building events, Co-op tours, and Recipient-led learning session with co-operative leaders.)
Apply by January 30, 2022. More information and the application is HERE.
CAMP KINDLING: STAFFING AND SPONSORSHIP
We've also included our COVID-19 procedures below. Camp Kindling is the new name for Co-op Camp/SCYP.
WE WANT YOU TO STAFF WITH US THIS WINTER
Camp Kindling is seeking staffers for its NEW 2022 winter camps. If you’ve staffed a previous Camp, we invite you to apply to staff our Graduate Camp, to be held February 20-26, 2022 or Senior Grad, which will be April 16-18, 2022.
We’re looking for NEW staff, too! Camp Kindling isn’t just for youth, it's an amazing experience for adults and past graduates. If you’re a co-op sector or credit union system employee, elected official, Co-op Camp/Camp Kindling alumnus or volunteer aged 17 years of age or up, consider volunteering to staff one of our new winter camps.
You'll increase your co-op knowledge, and learn a lot about the next generation of co-op and community leaders. We’ll provide you with all the resources and information you need for your camp.
As well, each staff team has a Program Assistant, co-ordinator and experienced staff members, so you will have lots of guidance and support throughout the Camp. Here's MORE about staffing.
Staffing and other Camp information can easily be sent to co-op and credit union offices digitally for you to pass along to your staff and board. Contact Tracey at tracey.quiring@sask.coop and we'll set it up.
These winter camps are invitation-only, and eligible campers should have received a postal-mailed invitation by January 15, 2022.
SEEKING CAMP SPONSORHIP FROM CO-OPS AND CREDIT UNIONS
Camp Kindling is a partnership between SCA, our province’s co-ops and credit unions, and Saskatchewan youth. Being part of Camp Kindling can increase your organization’s community exposure, build and maintain relations with young people, and engage and educate your staff. You might even gain new members and foster new volunteers or employees.
Sponsoring one or more young people to attend Camp Kindling is a great investment in the future of your organization and the health of the co-operative sector. Your organization can become part of Camp Kindling in a number of ways including sponsoring one or more young people to attend Camp, sending your employees or board members to Camp as Staff, and by promoting Camp Kindling to your membership and community.
Young people leave Camp Kindling with an increased understanding of co-operatives and credit unions and the skills and self-confidence to become co-operative members, employees, academics and leaders. Camp alumni often find volunteer opportunities or employment in our co-ops, credit unions and community organizations. We INVITE you and your organization to become part of Camp Kindling.
CAMP KINDLING COVID-19 PROCEDURES
We ask that all participants and camp staff either provide proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID test within 72 hours prior to arrival for camp.
Masks will be required in all common areas of the camp.
We will provide a rapid test to every person prior to their getting on the bus to camp. Should you show as negative, away we go!
If a participant or staff begins to show symptoms, they will be isolated immediately, be required to take a rapid test, and then they will need to be picked up by a parent or guardian.
There will be additional cleaning and sanitization to ensure that we are as germ-free as possible.
For more information, or to apply for a staffing role, contact Tracey Quiring, Program Officer.
Email: tracey.quiring@sask.coop, Direct Line: 306-343-3583. More about Camp Kindling at https://campkindling.coop/.
Highlighting individuals who have made outstanding contributions
to co-operatives and credit unions in Saskatchewan.
Over the last few newsletters, SCA has introduced you to the eight recipients of the 2021 and 2020 Co-operative Merit Achievement Awards, which were presented during Co-op Week 2021. Today, we are sending congratulations to Brad Schultz and Milton Kerpan. Brad is the recipient of the 2020 Co-operative Lifetime Achievement Award and Milt posthumously received the 2021 Co-operative Lifetime Achievement Award.
View all eight recipient celebratory videos HERE. Plus, our Merit Award video archive celebrates more than 50 Co-operative Merit Achievement Award recipients. Check it out at this LINK and become inspired.
Nominations open soon for the 2022 Merit Awards. Look around and determine who in your co-operative and credit union communities should be recognized with a 2022 Co-op Merit Award. To help get you started, the link to the award categories and nomination process is HERE. (Deadline to submit nominations is May 1, 2022).
2020 was the year we launched our new SCA Blog, and since then the postings have become a popular feature. Our staff team and guest authors mainly write about things related to co-ops, credit unions and Camp Kindling (formerly Co-op Camp).
To celebrate the new Year, we’re counting down our five most popular blog posts of 2021. Here’s the LINK to our Blog pages, how many have you read?
Number 5:We don’t just build houses, we build citizens. There are many similarities between non-profit housing and co-operative housing, but they’re definitely not the same thing. Non-profits can provide affordability. But ... A co-op provides residents with affordable housing plus ownership, plus opportunities for personal growth plus a voice in the operations.
Number 4: Why it is OK to fail sometimes.Making changes in any part of your life is a pretty great thing to work towards. It really is never a waste of time or energy to do so. Change and growth are good things. But what if you are making those changes, or at least attempting to do it, and it just doesn’t work out… What if you fail?
Number 3: Meaningful changes.Ahhh January! The month where everyone decides that they need to change their lives and begin fresh. Diets, Check! Exercise routine, Check! Starting a new hobby, Check! They say that the average resolution lasts 12 days before it is either totally abandoned or modified, and if you are modifying it, it is usually because there has been an element of “failure” involved.
Number 2:How to improve the well-being of Saskatchewan’s people and communities.As COVID-19 spread across the province, Conexus Credit Union saw individuals and businesses stepping up and displaying acts of kindness in extraordinary ways. To recognize and reward these good deeds, Conexus asked people across Saskatchewan to nominate individuals and businesses who were responding to COVID-19 with kindness. Conexus received over 200 nominations and awarded 42 recipients with $5,000 each through the fund.
Number 1:Why Irish Credit Unions are so good at youth engagement… and what Canadian co-operatives can learn from their approach.Irish credit unions are among the best in the world at attracting young members, staff, and elected officials. In 2014 SCA’s executive director, Victoria Morris, did her Master’s research on this topic, and this blog post presents some key learnings and details from that research, which co-operatives and credit unions may find helpful to increase youth involvement in their co-ops.
BLOG: INNOVATION CREDIT UNION: REDEFINING BANKING
Did you know? Innovation is on a path to transform into a federal credit union this year.
Innovation Credit Union’s purpose is to redefine banking by helping Canadians simplify their lives and reach their financial goals.
Technology provides Innovation Credit Union members with excellent value and their choice of service delivery channels. But that doesn’t mean forsaking face-to-face member relationships if that’s how a client wants to interact.
Read our latest BLOG POST and learn how modern technology, commitment to community and the even United Nations have been combined to modernize member benefits and the way that Innovation does business.
Missed one of our Co-operative Spotlight newsletters?
Click on this LINK for a quick and informative read about co-ops & CUs in Saskatchewan
and around the world. It's the perfect complement to our social media feeds.
Looking for more co-op and credit union news?
Visit our SCA Facebook and Twitter feeds, and our Camp Kindling Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages for timely co-operative and credit union news updates.
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Saskatchewan Co-operative Association (SCA) is the apex organization for the province’s 800 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.
Co-operators is once again making up to $500,000 in co-op development grants available through the Co-operative Development Program (CDP). 
2020 was the year we launched our new SCA Blog, and since then the postings have become a popular feature. Our staff team and guest authors mainly write about things related to co-ops, credit unions and Camp Kindling (formerly Co-op Camp).
Innovation Credit Union’s purpose is to redefine banking by helping Canadians simplify their lives and reach their financial goals.
