CO-OPERATIVE SPOTLIGHT NEWSLETTER FOR NOVEMBER 23, 2020
THE CO-OPERATORS LAUNCHES PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYABLILITY
The Co-operators’ new $2 million Pathways to Employability Initiative (P2E) will create a brighter future for marginalized youth and small businesses by responding to unmet needs created by the pandemic.
A part of the Co-operators Community Funds (CCF), P2E focuses on providing employability supports through life skills training and employment reskilling opportunities for marginalized youth who have lost jobs or educational opportunities due to COVID-19.
The #ImpactCOVID: Road to Recovery Project is the first program being offered under the Pathways to Employability Initiative. Read more about P2E and this first project HERE.
CO-OP PRESERVES INDIGENOUS HERITAGE
The Friends of St. Victor Petroglyphs Co-operative works to protect, preserve and promote a sacred First Nations site within St. Victor Petroglyphs Provincial Historic Park. This prehistoric art “gallery” is one of Saskatchewan’s most visible and accessible archaeological sites.
The park is home to over 360 images pecked and ground into solid rock by ancient Indigenous artists. Research indicates that the artists were Siouan-speaking peoples who made the carvings between 1800 to 250 years ago.
The plains grizzly bear tracks are a powerful image found at the site but there are also cloven-hoofed animal tracks, human faces, human foot prints and human hands.
The park is located 33 km southeast of Assiniboia. It’s open daily all year-round and there is no charge to enter. (Check their website for any COVID-19 restrictions.) The best times to see the petroglyphs are early morning, late afternoon and sunset because the sun’s slanting rays create shadows, improving their visibility.
Read the full article (a 4-minute read), which was part of the Co-op Week feature that appeared in Planet S and Prairie Dog magazines. It’s available from the SCA website at https://sask.coop/images/co-ops-report-2020.pdf
JOIN CANADA’S EMERGING CO-OPERATORS
Canada's Emerging Co-operators (CEC) is a working and advisory committee made up of young people who are engaged members, directors or employees of a co-operative or mutual in Canada.
It represents the interests of young and future Canadian co-operators through consultations, recommendations, programs, and services, and promotes the co-operative model to youth in order to enhance and ensure their commitment, involvement, and representation in the co-operative movement in both English and French-speaking Canada.
Are you between 18 and 35 years of age and passionate about co-operatives?
• Grow your networks in the co-op sector
• Develop leadership skills
• Be a voice for emerging leaders in the co-op sector.
Apply to become a member of Canada's Emerging Co-operators HERE. Deadline to apply is December 12th.
SK'S CO-OP REGISTRAR TO BEGIN REMOVING CO-OPS FROM THE CORPORATE REGISTRY FOR NON-COMPLIANCE AS OF NOVEMBER 30
Reminder: Saskatchewan co-operatives and new generation co-ops must begin to file their annual returns and financial statements with the province’s Registrar. The deadline and penalties were previously suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this talk, last year’s winner of the Fredeen scholarship, Shylah Wolfe, explores potential legislative barriers to multi-stakeholder co-operatives and how legislative changes could lend legitimacy and utility to this model and the broader co-operative sector.
In a modern world confronted by rapid change, limited resources and a globalized economy, organizational governance is becoming increasingly complex. Organizations are beginning to integrate broader representation from relevant stakeholders to navigate this world, address the ‘triple bottom line’ economy, society, environment), and garner legitimacy among diverse communities.
These same forces are playing out in the co-operative sector through the spread and growth of multi-stakeholder co-operatives, yet governments are only slowly and unevenly reflecting these shifts in public policy.
Held 3:00-4:30pm (CST) on December 1, 2020 via Zoom. RSVP to coop.studies@usask.ca and a link will be emailed to you. Presented by the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives.
INTRODUCING ONE OF BC'S COMMUNITY INVESTMENT CO-OPERATIVES
The West Kootenay Boundary Community Investment Co-op allows its members to invest into local businesses with the purpose of promoting economic, social, environmental and community impacts.
Co-op members pool their money (minimum investment of $500) to directly support businesses in their communities that are making an impact.
Businesses within the region can apply for financing that works for their unique needs. Approved applicants receive business development guidance, collaborative financing and ongoing support.
WKB Investment Co-op is one of many BC Community Investment Co-ops which are redirecting capital into local economies. Learn MORE.
MICRO-CREDENTIALS: A SASKATCHEWAN APPROACH
On December 10th at 1:30pm, the Ministry of Advanced Education is hosting a Zoom webinar on micro-credentials.
Micro-credentials, also known as nanodegrees, are mini-qualifications that demonstrate skills, knowledge, and/or experience in a given subject area or capability.
Learn more about micro-credentials and the framework necessary for institutions and employers to effectively utilize micro-credentials in Saskatchewan.
Employers (including co-operatives), industry groups, post-secondary institutions and government are invited to participate. Register HERE.
THE "ONE CO-OP, EVERY CO-OP FUND" LAUNCHES
The recent sale of Mountain Equipment Co-op without its members’ consent has exposed significant vulnerabilities related to federal and provincial legislation. Current legislation clearly does not provide adequate protection of members’ rights or recognition of the co-operative difference.
Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada and SCA invites all Canadian co-operatives and mutuals, as well as interested individuals, to work towards resolving this by contributing to the One Co-op, Every Co-op Fund.
The Fund will support the efforts of CMC’s new national legislative and governance leadership tables through legal, government relations, program review/development, communications and external relations activities.
Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada, the United Farmers of Alberta and the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives invite Canadian co-operatives and credit unions to participate in a survey on governance practices.
This comprehensive survey will gather information about the current state of governance practices at co-operatives and credit unions. It is also intended to provide value by creating a database from which co-operatives and credit unions can access anonymized comparative data for their own purposes, such as director compensation or governance practice comparisons with industry peers.
All participants will receive a copy of the final report.
Your participation will help stakeholders in the co-operative and credit union sector better understand how Canadian co-operative organizations govern themselves.
The survey link, which includes more details and full instructions, is HERE. The survey closes December 7, 2020.
BLOG POST: HOW MANY WORDS ASSOCIATED WITH
CO-OP CAMP BEGIN WITH X?
In her third (and final) installment on the A-Z of Co-op Camp, SCA’s Program Officer, Tracey Quiring, introduces us to Camp words you might hear that begin with the nine letters R to Z. (Yes, we had to count on our fingers to be sure, too!)
We learn the definitions of “Rap Sessions”, “Snack Shack” and “Understanding” plus many more in the context of the Saskatchewan Co-operative Youth Program. You'll notice some honourable mentions as well.
However, Tracey takes a few liberties with “X” ... and comes up with “eXplore” and “Xtra special”. No matter, they’re all essential concepts when having a great summer at Co-op Camp.
What are some of your favourite Co-op Camp words? Email us at sca@sask.coop or post on our social media feeds.
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Saskatchewan Co-operative Association (SCA) is the apex organization for the province’s 850 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.
Canada's Emerging Co-operators (CEC) is a working and advisory committee made up of young people who are engaged members, directors or employees of a co-operative or mutual in Canada.
The West Kootenay Boundary Community Investment Co-op allows its members to invest into local businesses with the purpose of promoting economic, social, environmental and community impacts.
Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada, the United Farmers of Alberta and the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives invite Canadian co-operatives and credit unions to participate in a survey on governance practices.
