The Co-op Current
The latest news and information for and about Ontario's co-operatives!
Issue 5: May 31, 2021
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Get the latest information and updates on our strategic areas and check out our member profiles...
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Let’s #Rebuildbettertogether - Co-operatively
(Submitted by Peter Cameron, Co-op Development Manager, OCA)
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This July 3, we will celebrate how co-operatives from around the world are overcoming the pandemic crisis by “Rebuilding better together”.
We want to do it better this time because the pandemic has shown that the present system was not working for the majority of people. And you know that old saying attributed to Albert Einstein: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”? Let’s not continue to repeat this mistake.
Individual actions are important, but to really fix the major problems we are facing like climate change, economic inequality and social exclusion, we need to work together with everyone contributing and represented. We are all “members” of this planet and if we work together, we can create a more just and sustainable world. That’s what the co-operative model will help us do - because it is based on the triple bottom line of People, Planet and Profit – and not just about the traditional private shareholders.
Together, we can transform our health care for seniors by allowing multi-stakeholder co-ops where family members, caregivers and seniors all have a say in determining the services that are provided. Personal Support Worker (PSW) co-ops and DSW (Disability Support Worker) co-ops can replace the existing big corporate long term and home care providers. The workers will be compensated fairer and the service to individuals will be better.
Together, we can transform the Gig Economy and make it fair for all. Why should Uber Eats and Skip the dishes make so much money off the drivers and the restaurants providing delivery services? A Delivery co-op could provide effective service for the restaurants while paying the delivery people a living wage. Why shouldn’t they also have some benefits like healthcare and pensions?
Together, we can provide food justice. Food co-ops like the Mustard Seed in Hamilton and the London Food Co-op provide nutritious whole food to communities, while making sure farmers and producers are fairly compensated. Farmer co-ops like Gay Lea Dairy and GROWMARK, Inc. have shown that by working together, farmers can compete with any of the big corporations.
Together, we can help solve our affordable housing crisis. Housing Co-ops are a proven model and we already have over 2,200 non-profit housing co‑ops across Canada that are home to about a quarter of a million people in over 90,000 households.
Together, we can save community assets like pubs, cafés and shops. The Plunkett Foundation in England presently supports over 400 communities, preserving vital community assets and services by utilizing the sustainable co-operative business model. In Ontario, communities coming together have formed co-operatives to save local assets like the Aron Theatre in Campbellford, or the Epicerie Coop Grocery in Moonbeam.
Together, we can fight climate change. Solar and Wind Renewable energy co-ops allow communities to benefit from creating sustainable energy.
Together, we can help students suffering food and housing insecurity at our universities and colleges. Instead of more corporatizing and dependence on high-paying international students, we can support co-operative bookstores and housing like the Guelph Campus Co-op founded in 1913 or the University of Toronto’s Campus Co-operative (1936), and provide students with affordable services and a model for a democratic way of living.
Together, we can own our own financial institutions. Why support the big banks with their high service fees and multimillion dollar pay packages to CEOs? Credit Unions are member-owned, community based, and are all about delivering service and benefits to their members, not maximization of shareholder value.
From a very young age, we are told to co-operate and work together, but somehow, that message got lost and the supporters of the capitalist business model said it’s all about competition and “taking care of business”.
If we truly want to work together, we need a business model that allows everyone a seat at the table - the co-operative business model fits the bill. It allows us to make money while providing the services and products we all need, but doing it in a way that is democratic and based on solid, sustainable values. So this time, let’s “Rebuild better together” by doing it co-operatively.
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OCA Celebrates a Ten-Year Milestone
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Please join us in congratulating our very own Peter Cameron, who reached his ten-year anniversary with OCA last month!
Peter, whom many of you know, is our resident Co-op Development expert, who helps people interested in starting a co-operative and provides technical expertise to new, emerging and established co-operatives. He links co-operatives with funding opportunities, as well as connects people to other individuals and resources to assist them with their specific needs. Perhaps most importantly, he takes every
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opportunity he can to raise awareness and understanding of the co-operative business model – and the benefits of co-operation.
Peter’s passion for co-operatives and his extensive experience starting and working in co-operative businesses dates back to 1981. He has been on the founding boards of Silverwood Housing Co-operative, Guelph Food Co-operative, Guelph Co-op Council and Sumac Community Worker Co-operative (Planet Bean Coffee). He was a Co-op Business Developer and Executive Director of the Ontario Worker Co-op Federation between 1993 and 2002. He sat on various committees with OCA before joining the organization officially in April 2011. We are lucky to have him on our team, and as a passionate leader within the co-operative movement!
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Guided Learning Resources Now Include Business Centres
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OCA wants communities across Ontario to grow and thrive, and we believe that the co-operative model has a significant role to play in capturing opportunities for new business, creating stronger and more vibrant local economies, increasing community engagement and building a more sustainable social economy overall.
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Our job is to ensure that people across the province understand the benefits and versatility of the co-operative business model, and to promote our member-owned co-operative businesses that contribute $6 billion to the Ontario economy. As such, we began developing a series of free, easy to read and interactive Guided Learning presentations to assist both co-operatives and external stakeholders with various aspects of their business.
Our newest additions include a "Co-ops 101" self-guided learning module tailored specifically for staff and business developers at Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs) and for the Community Futures Network of Canada (CFNC). Both are critical to job creation, innovation and entrepreneurship in our communities, and together, we can work to build a better Ontario for everyone. You can find our self-guided learning modules on our website.
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OCA is thrilled to welcome back Taryn Barnard for the third consecutive year, in the role of Marketing, Communications and PR Officer for the Co-operative Young Leaders (CYL) program!
Thanks largely to support from the Canada Student Job Program by Service Canada, Taryn will be working with us until August to create website and social media content for CYL, oversee a research
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project on social media to create some best practice recommendations, and develop a Youth Day campaign.
Taryn just completed her third year in the Bachelor of Public Relations degree at Conestoga College, and is combining her passion for communications and co-operatives into her position at OCA. She has always valued the power of leadership skills. In high school, she volunteered for leadership camps and conferences to help grow her abilities. She is very excited to continue to support CYL and all those who attend, in hopes of making the same difference in their lives. She says that through her time over the past few years working with OCA and CYL, she has grown immensely and learned a lot about the benefits and purpose of the co-operative sector.
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A Glimpse into CYL’s 2021 Virtual Summer Programming
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Co-operative Young Leaders has an exciting and interactive plan for a virtual summer camp. While we understand what it is like for youth to be at home learning virtually, we know participants will enjoy some of the activities we have planned this year! Our focus is to engage them in fun activities and challenges that will help build leadership and problem solving skills. All of the webinars will be interactive, limited to one hour and provide youth with an opportunity to meet other participants and form lasting friendships.
Here’s a sneak peek into a few of the awesome activities we have planned…
We will be asking participants to help complete three different challenges this summer. Each challenge will be facilitated by an expert with the knowledge and leadership skills to help them solve the challenge. Each challenge will be completed over 5 sessions, all one hour in length. We will work as a team, and together, come up with the solution (sound familiar?!)
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Social Media Challenge: (ages 13 – 18)
In this challenge, your team will help us identify ways to increase awareness on our social media sites. What strategies will you use to best meet your goals? What social media platforms will you use? Answer these questions and more in this year's Social Media Challenge. We will learn from you and update our social media strategy with your help!
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Build a co-operative Challenge: (ages 15 – 18)
The Build a Co-operative challenge will provide you with an opportunity to build a mock co-operative to fill a community need. Learn about the history of co-operatives, the business model and challenge yourself to work as a team to come up with a unique solution. Being a member/owner provides you with many opportunities and advantages.
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CEC Development Challenge: (ages 13 to 18)
We love Gay Lea Foods' Co-operative Education Centre and the beautiful campsite that CYL sits on - but could we make it even better for our campers? As a team, you’ll brainstorm ideas, seek inspiration, research and create a budget - all with the goal of preparing a proposal to help improve the CEC. Practice your design, budgeting and teamwork skills, and be part of the solution.
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The challenges are only one part of our CYL virtual camp this summer. Why not join us to improve your gaming skills, learn how to draw cartoons, practice new portable skills and meet youth from across Canada at our national campfire? We are really excited about our programming and we can’t wait to see you there! For more details please follow up on our social media sites.
Registration opens on Tuesday June 1, 2021. Visit our website to learn about how you can qualify for the incentives and to register for CYL.
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As excited as we are to celebrate Peter’s ten-year milestone and welcome Taryn back with us, we are very sad to announce the resignation of our Office Manager, Lee Davis, effective May 28. Lee spent the past four years keeping the office - and the rest of the staff team - organized and efficient. Her financial expertise and many years of experience working in the co-operative sector will be hard to replace. We will miss her dearly, and wish Lee nothing but the best as she pursues other passions and goals. The staff and Board thank you for all your work and dedication over the years.
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Building Connections & Developing Relationships in a Virtual World
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Join OCA and Flow Office Wisdom on June 23rd at 11am EST, for a free webinar that will explore the importance of and opportunities for building connections, and developing relationships even when we aren’t in the same place. Participants will learn:
- How to connect virtually with your existing members, customers and clients.
- How to get in front of new audiences to grow your membership and build new relationships.
- How to communicate your values and mission in a digital space.
Registration is now open!
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We would also like to welcome West Village Community Development Co-operative, Harvest Impact Fund, and Lucid Leader, who have also joined our membership as Friends.
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Tell us a bit about your co-operative – its origins, purpose and what needs/value your organization provides to the community.
Iler Campbell LLP is a full-service law firm of seven lawyers serving co‑operatives,
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charities, non‑profits and socially‑minded small businesses. Our experience with Ontario’s co‑operative movement stretches back more than 40 years. Firm founding partner, Brian Iler, was a key figure in starting many Toronto area co‑ops. Today we’re proud to serve co‑ops from across Ontario. From Brockville west to London; from Gravenhurst south to Beamsville. We count over 100 housing co‑ops (non-profit and equity) among our active clients and also many business co-ops, worker co-ops, and other kinds of non-profit co-operatively run organizations. We are also proud to count the Ontario Co-operative Association among our long‑time clients. We are passionate about the co‑op mission.
How is your co-operative responding to the current needs of the community?
We get it - co-ops have a lot on their plates: member issues; Human Rights Code; refinancing; reviewing contracts; managing employees and contractors; writing by‑laws; running member meetings; co‑ordinating volunteers; writing meeting minutes; and all while staying within a tight budget. We can help with all of that, and almost any other legal matter you are likely to face as a co‑operative housing provider. And no bones about it, we know lawyers can be expensive. Our goal is to deliver high quality, prompt, cost effective, legal services that respond to our clients' goals and values. We pride ourselves in clear, legalese‑free communication and contracts.
What is your vision for co-operatives in rebuilding the economy post-pandemic?
Whether through our housing co-op clients, our worker co-op clients, or our business co-ops, the sector has an opportunity to insert itself into the post-pandemic world as the best way to rebuild the community from within the community. We're excited that we'll be working in partnership with co-ops to just that.
What does the future of the co-operative sector in Ontario look like to you?
Bright! It has such potential to position itself as an alternative way of delivering important services and housing to Ontarians.
What aspect of OCA’s mission/strategic programs do you think is most important as a way to rebuild a more co-operative economy?
It seems to us that the co-op sector suffers from a lack of exposure - people from outside the movement just aren't aware of its potential to deliver services and keep profits local. OCA has a great chance to use this pandemic period to think about how best to heighten the profile of the sector to emerge from COVID 19 even stronger.
Anything else you would like to add?
We're excited to walk beside our co-op friends and clients into the post COVID world.
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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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The CASC Conference (Canadian Association for Studies in Co-operation) will take place virtually between June 2nd and 4th as part of Congress 2021. They have an exciting and inspiring line-up of keynotes, presentations, roundtables, and interactive sessions planned. View the program or register here.
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The annual Co-opalooza Conference, hosted by Gay Lea Foods Co-operative, will take place over three Tuesdays in June (2nd, 15th & 22nd) between 10:30am-12pm EST. It includes 3 free webinars on relevant, timely topics for co-operatives, and sessions will feature Q&A's with awesome, engaging guests for a lil’ brunch & learnin’ from home! Learn more and register.
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Performance and Impact Measurement for Cooperatives hosted by the Vancity Community Foundation, takes place on June 8th from 1:30-3pm EST. This session will help you use information and date more effectively to run your co-operative, plan for the future, and show its value. Learn more and register.
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The International Co-operative Governance Symposium, hosted by the International Centre for Co-operative Management, Saint Mary’s University, takes place virtually from June 17th to 19th. This is an opportunity to think deeply about governance systems that are fit for co-operatives. Learn more and register.
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The Directors’ Forum Co-operative is hosting its final virtual governance session of the series on June 21st from 4 – 5pm. Ontario credit union and caisse populaire directors are invited to attend an Open Forum, to share ideas and provide feedback on a variety of topics put forward by the Board. Learn more and register.
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Libro Credit Union is now accepting applications for their Annual Grants Program (formerly Prosperity Fund). In addition to their pillars of financial resilience, employment, local food accessibility and housing across southwestern Ontario, they are focusing their program on supporting solutions aiming to help in the recovery and rebuild our communities. Learn more.
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You can still apply to the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary's University's Master's, Graduate Diploma and Certificate Programs in Co-operative and Credit Union Management! If your co-operative wants to build capacity to optimize your unique business model, take strategic leadership as a values-based business and better serve members, this education is here to serve those goals! Course descriptions can be found here. The deadline to apply is May 31 (or until full). Get in touch with erin.hancock@smu.ca for more information. Information on bursaries is found here.
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JOBS & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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The Co-operative Council of Ontario/Conseil de la coopération de l’Ontario (CCO) has a temporary (26 weeks) full-time (40 hrs/wk) contract position available for a Research Analyst in Ottawa ON. Apply by June 4th, for a possible start date of June 21. Candidate must be fluent in French. Learn more.
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10C Shared Space is looking for a Business Analyst to help launch a new social finance initiative: Harvest Impact Fund Co-operative Inc. This is a 6-month contract (37.5 hrs/wk) based in Guelph ON. Apply by June 4th. Learn more.
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How the Right Essential Equipment Partner Helps Co-operative
Property Managers Navigate New Challenges
(Submitted by Reliance Home Comfort)
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The RelianceTM Property Management program is designed to provide property managers with best-in-class installation and equipment solutions for their properties in both the public and private sectors, including housing co-operatives. They get top-quality equipment at competitive rental rates that help them reduce risk and hold on to capital. Residents receive HVAC, water heating and water purification equipment and other commercial equipment and exceptional service with 24/7/365 call support.
While the COVID-related economic slowdown grounded many businesses to a halt, property management has not been one of them. As residents are spending more time at home and small businesses face economic uncertainties, the responsibilities of property managers have skyrocketed; responding to member requests minute by minute and keeping up with continually evolving government health and workplace guidelines is more than a handful.
The best way to overcome these new challenges is to work with partners that can provide competitive advantages. Case in point: it’s a great time to consider whether or not your current equipment and service providers are efficiently meeting the needs of your properties at affordable and sustainable rates. While you may already have sufficient equipment for your properties, ownership comes with many costly and time-consuming responsibilities; even the best equipment will require maintenance and replacements in order to perform optimally over time.
So what features and benefits should property managers look for in a service provider to help them operate successfully in this challenging climate? Read on to learn about the ways that the Reliance Property Management program can help property managers take on new challenges with one, trustworthy provider, allowing you to reduce risk, free up capital and provide your residents with 24/7/365 customer care.
1. The right partnership can help you avoid the inconveniences that come with equipment ownership
When you own your HVAC, water purification, water heating or other commercial equipment, servicing and maintenance costs are inevitable. The costs of labour, repairs and replacements add up, especially when managing multiple units or properties — not to mention the time and effort required to keep up with these service requests and manage multiple supplier relationships. What’s more, it has become increasingly difficult to find contractors still working amid shutdowns who also adhere to all the recommended health and safety protocols. This can make it even more challenging to respond to time-sensitive electrical and plumbing service requests.
Ultimately, cost-certainty is of the utmost importance when navigating a time when very little is certain. In the current climate it can be difficult and costly to source third-party contractors who meet your service level expectations. The right service provider should be able mitigate this uncertainty and keep billing consistent, flexible and planned for.
Find the solution to these ownership issues with a rental program that works for property managers and residents alike. When you partner with Reliance, you can take advantage of our buying power to help provide your residents with energy-efficient equipment from top manufacturers and expert services including electrical and plumbing without having to worry about significant capital expenditures that are inevitable with ownership. This includes the time and resources required to manage multiple supplier relationships, source parts for equipment repairs, and keep your equipment serviced properly.
Property managers will appreciate flexible billing terms and fixed rates during this unpredictable and increasingly busy time. One monthly bill includes the costs of equipment, parts, labour, interest, supply chain, maintenance and dedicated account management — all at a locked-in cost without any surprising fees. The Reliance rental program is a unique opportunity for property managers to find a more convenient arrangement for renting residential and commercial equipment.
Learn more about bundling equipment and services together for utmost convenience and maximum savings in a customized plan: bundles can include equipment from HVAC and water heaters, to services including maintenance, plumbing and electrical.
2. Free up time and resources while providing your members with reliable, expert service care
Putting your members’ service needs in our hands frees up time and resources so you can focus on other, core management duties. Plus, your members can count on their service needs being met in a safe, timely manner with unparalleled customer service. Reliance customers reap the benefits of:
One monthly payment at a locked-in cost billed directly from Reliance, including the costs of maintenance, service and repairs, parts and labour. Live telephone support 24/7/365.Guaranteed service from 850+ fully trained, licensed technicians and installers.
3. Essential equipment upgrades can provide competitive advantages
Add value to your properties and gain a competitive advantage with Reliance. Property managers and members will not only find value in the benefits of our rental program, but will also appreciate the potential cost-savings with energy-efficient equipment. You can also speak with a Reliance representative to find out more about potentially gaining access to government grants by outfitting your co-operative with Reliance equipment that may be energy-saving.
4. Find additional capital for your business with our buyback program
Freeing up additional capital is important, both because it can help property managers mitigate risk and secure the resources needed to complete projects deemed less essential. Taking advantage of our buyback program can help you find this extra capital at a time when it’s most needed. Our buyback program is a way for those who own their current water heaters, boilers or HVAC equipment to have Reliance assume ownership of the equipment and continue to maintain it. You can then reinvest that capital right back into your properties. If your equipment meets the right criteria, you could be eligible to earn up to thousands of dollars for your equipment. Here’s how it works:
First, determine how old your equipment is. You may qualify if:
- Your water heater is six years old or less
- Your boiler is eight years old or less
- Your furnace unit is ten years old or less
Next, arrange for one of our qualified technicians to inspect your equipment to ensure that it meets requirements.
If your equipment meets the necessary requirements, we will calculate the buyback amount in one of two ways:
- If you have the proof of purchase and installation, we will use this full amount to calculate the total buyback amount.
- If you no longer have the proof of purchase on file, we will be happy to provide you with a quote based on the cost of our own equipment.
Discover the benefits of a better essential equipment partnership and tackle new challenges with confidence!
There’s no need to go through this uncertain time alone; team up with Reliance and reap the benefits of our convenient rental program that benefits both property management and members alike. We are committed to helping you reduce risks associated with equipment ownership and third-party contractors, and helping you hold on to important capital when you may need it most. You can feel confident knowing that your members are in good hands with our unparalleled customer care. If you’d like to learn more about our property management program, contact us today!
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Proud Sponsor of the Co-op Current!
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