Atlantic August CED Newsletter

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Canadian CED Network News

Putting CED in the 2014 Federal Budget - Read Our Submission

In response to the federal government's invitation for pre-budget submissions, CCEDNet submitted recommendations to bring a CED perspective to the 2014 budget. Our submission, which was sent to the Standing Committee on Finance, focused on two areas:
  • A procurement policy that incorporates 20% social value weighting in all Requests for Proposals and includes Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) on relevant contracts.
  • Levelling the playing field with an investment in training that would ensure relevant government staff are aware of, and understand, the social enterprise and co-operative business models so these businesses can access government-funded business development supports that other Canadian businesses have access to.

CCEDNet Elects New Board President

At the last meeting of CCEDNet’s Board of Directors, Diana Jedig was selected as the new President of the Board.  She takes over from Caroline Lachance, who had been President since 2009.

Diana is Executive Director for the Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations. Her direct experience with the Community Futures Program has been a key strength in ensuring the Network responds to the needs of its members.  She has been on the CCEDNet Board since 2005. Click below to learn more about CCEDNet's new board.

Canada on the Global Stage: Social Enterprise World Forum

CCEDNet is pleased to be a supporting partner in this year’s Social Enterprise World Forum.  Registration is now open. This world class event is not to be missed. The impressive roster of speakers include the leading thinkers and actors in the social enterprise sector from across the globe. Among the presenters are several CCEDNet members, including CCEDNet's own Manitoba regional coordinator Brendan Reimer. Check out the SEWF blog, with notable contribution from CCEDNet here.

CCEDNet members are invited to a special gathering just prior to the Forum, on October 2 from 4-6 pm.  This session will look at CCEDNet’s strategic directions, inspired by new local economy initiatives internationally. More information and registration opportunities will be sent around shortly, so stay tuned.

Atlantic CED News

Building the Social Enterprise Landscape in New Brunswick

The cultivation of a vibrant social enterprise ecosystem in New Brunswick is happening slowly, but recent developments bring fresh hope for a tipping point eventually. One of these developments is the submission of a proposal to create a social enterprise policy framework for the province from a committee struck two years ago. The committee also plans to explore social enterprise and community investment funds as a way to tackle poverty. Among the recommendations in the policy framework is to ensure access to capital and investment which builds capacity along the entire spectrum of enterprise development – planning, starting and replicating.

(Source: Enterprising Non-Profits)

Upcoming Atlantic CED Conferences

A number of significant conferences will be happening this fall in Atlantic Canada, including the International Co-operative Governance Symposium in Halifax, the Atlantic Association of CBDCs Annual Conference in Fredericton, the Social Enterprise Launch Pad in St. John, and the Social Enterprise Atlantic Conference in Halifax.  Check out these and others in the events listing on CCEDNet’s website.  If you have other events to share, send them toinfo@ccednet-rcdec.ca

National CED News

CoopZone Offering Online Training Programs

The CoopZone Developers' Network Co-operative will be offering their multi-level on-line training program on co-operative development beginning on September 7. The courses proceed along  three different levels all of which are directed by Peter Hough. Each level takes a few hours per week; the courses are designed to fit around a full-time job. Financial assistance is available upon request. If you are looking to start building your knowledge of co-ops or looking to hone existing skills, the CoopZone courses are a great learning opportunity.

CED Book Club: Building a Co-op Community with Public Housing

Building a Co-operative Community in Public Housing follows the journey of a Toronto public housing complex as it was converted into a resident-operated co-operative, a first in Canada. Jorge Sousa traces the story of Alexandra Park, which became the Atkinson Housing Co-operative in 2003 after a ten-year conversion process. The book provides an empirical account of the contributing factors that influenced its decision to pursue community-based control, as well as the experiences of both residents and government officials engaged in this process. Finally, Sousa's account offers a framework for other communities facing similar circumstances who want to learn how to go about undertaking this process.

A Little Bird Told Us: Top Tweets of the Month

Here is a brief sampling of some of our most popular tweets from the past 30 days. Click here to follow us on Twitter.

Upcoming Events

08/22
Secrets of Successful Communities
Webinar >>

08/27
How to Track and Analyze the Critical Numbers of Your Business
Webinar >>

09/13
Introduction to Social Enterprise
Webinar >>

09/25
Financing a Co-op
Webinar >>

09/30
Making Social Change: strategies for funders
Calgary, AB >>

10/04
2013 Social Enterprise World Forum
Calgary, AB >>
 
Check our website for more event listings.

CED Opportunities