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This is an information webinar for those who are thinking about taking one of the courses through the CoopZone On-line Training Program. This webinar is open to anyone. 

Please RSVP to Hazel Corcoran (hazel@canadianworker.coop) by the end of the day on August 14th. You will receive the dial-in information by the start of the day of the call. (If you do not receive it by then, please write again at that time.) 

CoopZone offers various levels of training:

• The Introduction to Co-op Development course runs from late October through March (but half the number of weeks as the Foundations Program) and is appropriate for people interested in understanding the types and roles of co-ops and the basic co-op development process but who will not be active developers; 
• The Foundations Program course runs for one year (mid-September - April) for those who may become developers or who are in the position of advising groups interested in exploring the creation of a co-operative enterprise;
• The Advanced Program (Years 1 and 2) lasts for two years.  This level is designed for people who seek to provide full development services to co-operatives.

All of these on-line courses are designed to fit around a full-time job, taking a few hours per week. The Course Director is Peter Hough, and experienced co-op developers provide mentoring to students.

Click here to find brochures for download

Here's what some of the students have had to say:

"The course is concise, informative and interactive. Mentors and course director are very knowledgeable, skilled, experienced, approachable and helpful. The readings and tools were very useful."  --Billy Granger, SEED Winnipeg. 

"I would absolutely recommend the CoopZone program to anybody interested.  The course is pretty amazing in the way that it creates a common community amongst us aspiring co-op developers and several fully established and tremendously experienced ones. The instructors are great, and the mentoring system gives me the chance to have hours of one-on-one time with an expert in my desired field."  --Joel Ratcliffe, Ontario. 

"The Advanced Co-op Developer training has enabled me to connect with other Co-op Developers and a Mentor which allowed me to apply what I am learning directly to the groups and projects I am working on, in real time.  I would recommend this program for anyone interested in Co-op Development as we are often working alone or in small teams in communities; the course allows you to feel part of a co-op team!"  --Amanda Hachey, CEC-NB

"What I like about the program:
• The webinars and online presentations, and the opportunity to connect with others across the country involved in the same work.
• The mentor element is great it's been wonderful to have access to (my mentor's) wealth of knowledge and perspectives.
• Access to the CoopZone listserv & tele-learning sessions has been good, too.
• The wonderfully curated and assembled reading materials.
• Learning together with great people--the director, cohort and mentors."
               --Zoë Creighton, Upper Columbia Co-op Council.

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Co-op week is the opportunity for Canadian co-operative and credit union members to celebrate the fact that they have collectively helped to build this country. Co-op Week is always celebrated during the same week as International Credit Union Day, which is the third Thursday in October of each year.

Co-op Week 2014 will take place from October 13-19, 2014. 

The History of Co-op Week in Canada

Co-op Week has been celebrated by francophones throughout Canada since 1958. In 1981 celebrations were held among anglophone co-ops in the Maritimes and Saskatchewan. The event went national in 1982 with the encouragement of the Co-operative Union of Canada, a predecessor of the Canadian Co-operative Association.

Co-op Week appears to be a uniquely Canadian phenomenon. In the US, October is Co-op Month, and the International Co-operative Alliance and United Nations have an International Day of Co-operatives on the first Saturday in July.

International Credit Union Day, co-ordinated by the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU),  has been celebrated on the third Thursday of October since 1948.

For more information check out the Ontario Co-operative Association's Co-op Week webpage: www.ontario.coop/all_about_cooperatives/coop_week

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Co-operative Collaborations: Member Engagement and External Partnerships

Plenary topics will include:

• Member Engagement
• Recruitment & Evaluation in a Worker Co-op Movement
• Building the Worker Co-op Movement in Argentina, by José Orbaiceta, President of CICOPS-Mercosur, Argentina.

Conference workshop topics will include:

• What Should be Decided by Whom in a Worker Co-op?
• Strengthen your Co-op with Clear Worker Guidelines
• International Solidarity
• Participatory Management
• Expanding your Worker Co-op
• Pricing for Profit
• The Co-operative Advantage
• Branding including Social Media
• and more! 

There will also be an opportunity to visit Just Us Coffee Roasters Co-op.

Register now

More information

September 30, 2014
11:00am (PST)

[ register here ]

Please note: all online events are listed in Pacific time.

About the Speaker:

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Explore funding sources across Canada by determining the best approach for your business, what key pillars of a successful social enterprise need to be in place and the how-to of reaching out to appropriate partners.

Register now

When registering please indicate which webinars you plan to attend, your full name and your location. Sign-in information will be emailed to you

This is the last of 4 webinars in the Social Enterprise Webinar Series brought to you by PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise and the Women's Economic Council.

Check out the other events in the series:

• Defining Social Enterprise, July 9
• Determining Feasibility, July 30
• The Cooperative Model, August 20