Canada’s co-operative movement has called on the federal government to implement the recommendations of the Special Committee on Co-operatives, which tabled its report in the House of Commons on Monday.

Canada’s two national co-operative associations said they were generally pleased with the report’s recommendations and the committee’s recognition of the important role co-operatives play in the Canadian economy.
 
In the committee’s news release announcing the report, committee chair Blake Richards (CPC-Wild Rose) said:
 
“The sheer number and size of Canadian co-operatives make their impact on the economy indisputable. Co-operatives have proven remarkably resilient, and they are a key contributor to Canada’s economic recovery.”
 
The committee heard presentations from more than 60 witnesses during its hearings in July, as well as written submissions from co-operative organizations across the country.
 
“It is clear that the committee was listening carefully to our presentations, and we would like to thank them for all their hard work on this report. We are very pleased with the recommendations,” said Denyse Guy, executive director of the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA). “We still have concerns about the need to find new ways to help with the development of new and emerging co-operatives, and look forward to working with the government on these issues.”
 
“We are very happy that the parliamentarians heard our call for a renewed dialogue between the government and co-operative enterprises,” said Brigitte Gagné, executive director of the Conseil canadien de la coopération et de la mutualité (CCCM). “We hope the committee’s recommendations will be implemented quickly, particularly during these uncertain economic times.”
 
CCA and CCCM are particularly happy with a recommendation that the government consider consolidating federal responsibility for co-operatives under a suitable department, such as Industry Canada. Responsibility for non-financial co-operatives currently lies with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the co-operative movement has argued that Industry would be a better fit.
 
Other recommendations of the report included that the government explore the feasibility of allowing Canadians to invest RRSP funds in co-operatives; that Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation continue to provide support for housing co-operatives; and that the government educate its employees and the public about the nature and benefits of the co-operative business model.
 
The Special Committee was created in recognition of the 2012 International Year of Co-operatives, which was proclaimed by the United Nations to recognize the contribution co-operatives make to the social and economic development of communities around the world.

Download the report
 

Contact:
 
Donna Balkan, Communications Manager
Canadian Co-operative Association
613-238-6711, ext. 206

www.coopscanada.coop
 
Michaël Béland                                                                
Directeur des communications et des programmes         
Conseil canadien de la coopération et de la mutualité    
Tél.: 613-789-5492 ext. 24                                                                                                                                  
www.cccm.coop
 

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The Spark service of the Canadian CED Network invite you to attend the Fall 2012 Strengthening Non-Profits Workshop Series.

Workshops

Click for descriptions and facilitator bios

1. Effective Proposal Writing

2. Coaching Employees for Interpersonal Wellness

3. Developing Effective Program Evaluations

4. Time Management and Goal Setting

Cost per workshop:

CCEDNet members: half-day $25, full-day $50

Non-Members: half-day $75, full-day $125 | Join CCEDNet

Questions? Please contact Sarah Leeson-Klym at 943-0547,

[ Register for Workshops ]

Workshop Descriptions

Effective Proposal Writing

September 27 – 1pm to 4pm – United Way Learning Centre, 580 Main St

Back by popular demand! An effective grant proposal presents a compelling case for your organization and your project or program. It convinces your potential funder that your goals are aligned with theirs and makes them want to support your work by awarding you a grant. This workshop will provide practical tips on:

• Writing in a positive, audience-focused style
• Providing the information that funders want to know
• Presenting your organization and project in the best possible light
• Presenting maximum information in minimum words
• Developing long-term relationships with your funders

Facilitator: Nan Colledge
Nan Colledge has over 25 years experience in non-profit management, and has raised funds and written numerous grant proposals for a variety of charitable organizations. She was the General Manager of the West End Cultural Centre for seven years during which time she completed a major capital project. She currently works as the Community Program Manager at Assiniboine Credit Union.

[ Register ]

Coaching Employees for Interpersonal Wellness

October 11 – 1pm to 4pm – United Way Learning Centre, 580 Main St

Do you want to help your employees or volunteers turn things around quickly and efficiently? Does poor performance or lack of skills cause interpersonal conflict and stress in your workplace? Coaching is considered one of the top leadership skill sets in many organizations today. This successful approach for supervisors yields fast results in a short period of time with employee learning and development. This workshop will emphasize both the need to do one’s work well and will provide people in supervisory roles with coaching language and tips they can employ to encourage change and learning, reducing workplace stress and interpersonal friction.

Facilitator: Joyce Odidison, MA, PCC Conflict Analyst, Strategist and Coach
Joyce is President and CEO of Interpersonal Wellness Services Inc., an Organizational Development and consulting firm that provides executive coaching, respect at work, wellness, and coach training for leaders and employees. Joyce Odidison offers a wellness concept from the heart that inspires her clients to be respectful, vibrant, productive, and well. She has proven results working with even the most resistant and hard-to-reach clients and employees. Joyce is the world’s leading Interpersonal Wellness expert and creator of the innovative Interpersonal Wellness System model®, the Interpersonal Wellness Quotient® Personal Assessment Instrument, and the 8 Levels of Wellness for Business and Life Workshops, Retreats and Coaching packages.

[ Register ]

Developing Effective Program Evaluations

November 1 – 9am to 4pm – United Way Learning Centre, 580 Main St (*lunch will be provided)

This session will focus on creating evaluations that are internally useful for organizations but also get the information funders need. Strong organizations want to be good self-evaluators, ensuring that programs are accomplishing goals and maintaining organizational mission, not just fulfilling deliverables. The morning will focus on the ‘what and why’ of evaluation, as well as looking at some examples of useful evaluation models. After the catered lunch break, the focus will shift to small groups, working through your specific evaluation questions. This will be an important learning event for directors, program coordinators, or anyone wanting to gain better evaluation tools.

Facilitator: Javier Mignone, University of Manitoba, Department of Family Social Sciences
Javier is an associate professor in the Department of Family Social Sciences, University of Manitoba with Masters Degrees in Psychology and Health Services administration, and a Ph.D. in Community Health Sciences. He has worked in the areas of health information, program performance and program evaluation for the Capital Health Authority in Edmonton and for Alberta Health. He teaches program evaluation at the University of Manitoba and is one of the lead organizers of an annual Summer Institute on Program Evaluation. He conducts research and development projects on intercultural health, health information, and program evaluation with indigenous partners in Guatemala, Colombia, Argentina, Dominica and Canada as well as doing research on HIV/AIDS prevention and social development in India and Canada.

[ Register ]

Time Management and Goal Setting

November 29 – 1pm to 4pm – United Way Learning Centre, 580 Main St

Are you feeling pressed for time? We dare you to make time for time management! In this workshop, participants will learn how to make the most of their time by organizing their workflow, learning how to plan effectively, setting achievable goals, and delegating work to other people if available. Specific learning objectives include:

• Better organize yourself and your workspace for peak efficiency.
• Understand the importance of, and the most useful techniques for, setting and achieving goals.
• Identify the right things to be doing and develop plans for doing them.
• Learn what to delegate and how to delegate well.
• Take control of things that can derail productivity.

Facilitator: Lisa Lewis
As the owner of Beyond Excellence, Lisa has put her extensive business and management experience to work for her clients for more than fourteen years. Lisa helps her clients achieve their goals by implementing proven technologies and solid management programs. With these skills and her outstanding abilities as a presenter she has motivated and delivered value to small, medium and large businesses and is in demand as a consultant on a variety of projects.

[ Register ]

The Fall 2012 Strengthening Non-Profits Workshop Series is hosted by the Spark Service of the Canadian CED Network with support from United Way Winnipeg 

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Improving the lives of Canadians—and contributing to a more resilient society—requires breakthrough ideas and approaches, game changing strategies and collaborations, and continuous innovation.

To support this work, and to commemorate its 75th Anniversary, The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation is launching the McConnell Social Innovation Fund.

The Fund has three components—one for early stage innovations; a second for scaling up successful social innovations and for mature organizations diversifying program and business models; and a third for multi-sector collaborations, including ‘change labs’.

To learn more about the Fund and about opportunities for support, click here.

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