Notes from the Road: CED in Saskatoon
Brendan Reimer, CCEDNet's Regional Coordinator, recently hit the road to visit several CCEDNet members who are building stronger communities in Saskatoon. Brendan wrote about his trip in a recent blog post, which offers a glimpse into some of the inspiring work being done in the 'Bridge City.' Some of the members Brendan visited include; Quint Development, CHEP Good Food, Affinity Credit Union, Station 20 West, Saskatchewan Co-op Association, and the Centre for the Study of Co-ops. Brendan concludes his post by stating, "Saskatoon is a city with wonderful people, fantastic organizations, and great friends dedicated to making their home a better, fairer, more sustainable and inclusive place to live for everyone."
CED Holiday Guide 2013
The holiday season is a time to celebrate community. And what better way to do that than by supporting the important community building work being done by CCEDNet members across the country. We've compiled a convenient list of local shopping guides and creative gift ideas to provide you with the tools and information you need to have a CED-filled holiday season. Enjoy!
Next CCEDNet Webinars: Insights from CED Leaders & Immigrant Entrepreneurship
Kick start your new year with two upcoming webinars hosted by the Canadian CED Network. The first session,
Looking Back & Looking Forward, takes place on January 21. In this webinar, three pillars of Canada's CED sector - Lynne Markell, David LePage, and Walter Hossli - will reflect on their experience, lessons learned and vision for the future of the sector. On February 11,
Community Supports for Immigrant Entrepreneurship, will examine methods for improving immigrant settlement through entrepreneurship opportunities. Registration is now open so sign up today!
CED Wire Updates
The Opportunities of Housing: Darcy Penner, Researcher and Policy Advisor for CCEDNet-Manitoba, writes about the member-led policy resolution on housing | Read more- Manitoba Passes Accessibility Act: Darcy reports on this historic event | Read more
- 765 Inc: The Power of the Collective: Andi Sharma explores how to realize the full potential of co-location communities | Read more
Saskatchewan CED News
Co-op Webinars Available Online
The Saskatchewan Co-op Association has posted the first session of their Principle 4-5-6 Webinar Series online, in case you missed the live version.
Co-operative Marketing in a Digital Age teaches participants how to effectively use social media and marketing techniques to attract new customers/members and deepen engagement with their co-op brand. This interactive webinar presentation is now available to download for half the price of the registration. Registration is now open for the next webinar in this series,
Capturing Your Co-op Advantage, which takes place on January 15.
Car Sharing Co-op Ready to Hit Saskatoon Roads
Saskatoon drivers, start your engines and get ready to share. Saskatoon CarShare Cooperative is set to officially launch in the coming weeks. The city council's administration and finance committee approved a two-year pilot project to support car share programs in Saskatoon, with the cooperative receiving exclusive rights for the first year. The
Star Phoenix has compiled a convenient list of 5 key things to know before these shared co-op cars hit Saskatoon roads.
[ Photo: Richard Marjan, Star Phoenix ]
Exploring Co-op Expansion in Rural & Aboriginal Communities
The University of Saskatchewan is ready to undertake a new research project that will explore strategies to expand the co-op business model in rural and Aboriginal communities. The project will be led by the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, with $1 million in funding from Federated Co-ops Limited. Following an assessment of the program in late 2015, FCL will consider long-term funding to support identified projects. FCL's CEO Scott Banda stated, "Working together, we will inspire innovation and economic development, and create lasting changes, not just quick fixes, based on co-operative principles."
[Source: CCA News Brief]
Affordable Housing Complex Opens in Saskatoon
With attainable housing noted as the cornerstone of a successful and vibrant community, the City of Saskatoon, federal and provincial partners and Innovative Residential Inc, officially opened Hartford Heights, a new affordable housing complex with modular, stacked townhouse units for families in housing need. The complex will include 40 units, 20 of which are dedicated for affordable housing.
National CED News
The Marks are In: Canada's Poverty Report Card 2013
The 2013 national report card on child and family poverty presents the latest poverty statistics in Canada and makes policy recommendations for taking leadership on this challenge. The report, titled
Canada's Real Economic Action Plan Begins with Poverty Eradication, sets out practical actions the Canadian government can take that would reduce the child poverty rate by 15% and also highlights the need for a national strategy on affordable housing. The report also calls for a public system of high quality early childhood education and childcare services that are affordable and available to all children.
Celebrating the Legacy of a Great Canadian Co-operator
Canada’s co-operative movement mourned the passing of one of its leaders last month - historian, educator, and passionate co-operator Ian MacPherson. Ian was a pillar of the co-operative movement in Canada, having been the founding President of the Canadian Co-operative Association, and a prolific author of dozens of books and articles. He was also known internationally for his role in the 1995 revision of the co-operative principles and his work linking co-operatives to peace and social cohesion. To honour his legacy, a group of co-operative organizations have partnered to establish the Ian MacPherson Legacy Fund, which will support students undertaking co-operative research and engagement projects.
Celebrating Canada's Social Finance Leaders
The second annual Social Finance Awards were held in Toronto earlier this month to celebrate the organizations and community leaders that are catalyzing the Canadian social finance marketplace. This year's event, titled Progress & Possibility: Building a Market for Impact, was hosted by SocialFinance.ca and the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing. Among the many impressive nominees, this year's winners were:
- Excellence awards: Vancity (community development), Schulich School of Business at York University (sector talent building), Edmonton Community Foundation (mission investing)
- Most Promising Social Finance Collaboration: Rise Asset Development. Runners-up: Microloan Fund and Sarona Asset Management
CED Tool: Where We Live Matters
Where We Live Matters is an exploration into what we already know about neighbourhood development, what successes exist and what challenges continue. This paper presents an approach to neighbourhood work based on best and promising practice. It also acknowledges some of the limitations to and challenges of neighbourhood work that arise from the larger social structures and relationships of power in which neighbourhoods are situated and in which residents seek to build their own futures.
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.
- Why we should take the co-operative business model more seriously: #coops provide sustainable alternative biz models ow.ly/r5gHD
- "Money does not spend the same." $100 spent in local business leaves $45 in the community. National chains leave $15 ow.ly/rjVEH
- Honouring a co-op legacy: Ian MacPherson Legacy Fund will support students in #coop research and engagement projects ow.ly/rwC3x
- #ShopLocal & give the gift of stronger communities this season. Here's a list of resources to get you started: ow.ly/rBRqy
- Marty Donkervoort talks to @SEEChangemag about the success and challenges of #socent Inner City Renovations ow.ly/rp3WV
- CED Holiday Guide 2013: Check out our list of tips and resources for shopping local this season ow.ly/rtI3O
Happy Holidays from CCEDNet!
The Board and staff of CCEDNet wish you a very happy holiday season and all the best for the new year.
