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Worker Co-ops 101

Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation1:00pm to 2:30pm Eastern Time

This is the first time that the Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation (CWCF) will be offering this new webinar that was recently developed this past winter.

This is a two-part series designed for people who are working in a worker co-op. They are most appropriate for those who have recently become members or who are thinking of applying to join their co-op, although anyone involved in a worker co-op is welcome to participate. They will cover basic definitions, statistics on the movement, the co-op principles as applied to worker co-ops, and governance and management principles in a worker co-op.

The webinars will be led by Hazel Corcoran, CWCF's Executive Director, in two parts: 

  1. February 21st, 1:00pm to 2:30pm Eastern Time, and
  2. March 14th, 1:00pm - 2:30pm Eastern Time. Please RSVP to Kaye Grant, communications at canadianworker.coop, by 24 hours in advance of each. The sessions are free to CWCF members, and open only to members.

The ABCs of Starting a Social Enterprise

CEDEC2:00pm Eastern Time

This webinar will explore the steps required to build a business that creates value for society and the environment while generating profits. We’ll also look at the many opportunities and challenges social businesses face and discuss a few successful models for inspiration and lessons on best practices.

During this webinar you will learn: 

  • What is a social enterprise and how can you solve a social issue by generating profits?
  • How to start a social enterprise in Quebec - programs and support
  • Opportunities and challenges

Register for The ABCs of Starting a Social Enterprise

About the Speaker

Lis Suarez Visbal-EnsinkLis Suarez Visbal-Ensink is a social entrepreneur and ASHOKA Fellow, founder of FEM International & ETHIK EcoDesign Hub

Lis is committed to sustainable development and to women empowerment both locally and internationally. ETHIK’s mission is to promote ethical fashion and sustainable development practices within the textile industry and promote ethical fashion products amongst consumers. ETHIK is the first organization in Canada to work in the circular economy framework within the fashion industry. It was launched in 2009 as the first incubator of ethical fashion, by FEM International and now since 2013 it has become its own organization. Native of Colombia, Lis has more than 15 years of experience in international development and women entrepreneurship, particularly in the textile and fashion industry. Lis has a BA in International Development & Finance from the University Externado of Colombia and a degree in Business Administration and Finance from Harvard University.She has received various awards and recognitions for her commitment to sustainable development, corporate social responsibility and social innovation.

Building Sustainable Communities: The In's & Out's of Project Development

CHRA Webinar1:30pm - 2:45pm Eastern Time

Building affordable housing that promotes sustainable practices for the built environment is a goal of many towns and cities across Canada – particularly in emphasizing a focus on fostering community, business investment, jobs and smart growth.

But is it realistic, one might ask, to expect local governments and non-profits to attain such goals through the use of local planning practices and partnerships alone? We say, yes it is!

Hear from The Sustainable Communities’ partnership of the Government of New Brunswick and the Harbourside Cohousing seniors project in British Columbia who are each making sustainable, affordable community integrative design work.

Register for Building Sustainable Communities

The Sustainable Communities’ partnership of New Brunswick has developed a truly integrated planning approach called ‘Building Sustainable Communities with Design’ (or SCD Approach).  It provides community leaders with information on how:

  • they are performing regarding fiscal impacts and density promoted;
  • they can position themselves at the world level to attract investments and knowledge workers, and;
  • to build to respond to climate change issues and implement sustainable building practices when developing communities.

Harbourside Cohousing is also showing that building sustainable development is possible today, and has responded to the needs of an aging population in creating their ‘Senior Cohousing’ project in Sooke (BC). The project will showcase how it came to fruition through collaboration with future residents on a shared commitment to a:

  • ‘Built Green Canada Gold’ standard of sustainability and energy efficiency by design that promotes healthy aging in place;
  • collaboration with the architect and cohousing project manager to create a built form that nurtures an innovative culture with connections to broader society, while enhancing use of green space, and;
  •  offers affordable strata-titled housing in a supportive environment for aging residents to thrive.  

Join this interactive webinar to learn more about alternative development models, concepts and principles around the SCD Approach, response to seniors’ cohousing projects, and examples of implementation.

Speakers:

Margaret Critchlow, Director, Canadian Senior Cohousing Society & founding member, Harbourside Cohousing (BC)

Daniel Savard, Planner & Member, Sustainable Communities Partnership, Department of Environment & Local Government, Government of New Brunswick (NB)

SOURCE: Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA)

The Gig Economy

The Gig Economy Webinar2pm to 3pm Eastern Time

Presently, 36 million independent workers in the United States work outside the traditional employer-employee model. By 2020 this number is projected to swell to between 50 and 75 million.

This Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR) webinar, The Gig Economy, will explore the following: 

  • Map the current and emerging landscape of independent work
  • Identify the most promising and troubling elements of independent work
  • Generate ideas on what could make independent work more stable and sustainable for workers, especially vulnerable and/or lower skilled workers
  • Highlight promising innovations that are already underway and might be ripe for scaling
  • Share strategies for supporting independent workers and dig into some of the most promising innovations

Register for The Gig Economy webinar

This webinar is highly relevant for social entrepreneurs, researchers, philanthropists, policy makers, leaders of private and public businesses, and, of course, independent workers themselves. It is inspired by SSIR's article, "The Freedom, Insecurity, and Future of Independent Work" and brought to you in conjunction with The Bridgespan Group. 

Thanks to the generosity of The Rockefeller Foundation, this webinar is complimentary. Registration to this webinar will include access to the live webinar, unlimited access to the webinar as many times as you’d like for twelve months at your convenience, and downloadable slides. 

Successful Self-organization: Sociocracy in worker-owned coops

Successful self-organization. Sociocracy in worker-owned coops12:00pm Eastern Time

How can worker co-operatives be equals in their decision-making without sacrificing effectiveness? Blue Scorcher Bakery has been organizing themselves using sociocracy with great success, and will share their experiences in this webinar. Diane from NCDC is on their board (top circle) and will be available as well.

Interviews with

See a case study on their implementation here.

You will receive a zoom link within 24h after registration.
($5 recommended donation)

Community Innovation & Social Enterprise Conference

Cape Breton University, Shannon School of BusinessCape Breton University Campus

The Community Economic Development Institute of the Shannon School of Business is pleased to organize another multidisciplinary conference on Community Innovation & Social Enterprise, building on the popularity of the 2015 conference, which attracted over 270 attendees from Canada and around the world.

Community-based ventures have been a strong part of the Canadian economy for more than a century and recent innovative practices have made the social enterprise sector a hot topic in national and international vistas. The conference brings together practitioners, researchers, and community organizations, from home and afar, to discuss current practices, challenges, and innovations in advancing social entrepreneurship and improving community livelihoods.

Register for the Community Innovation & Social Enterprise Conference here

The 2017 conference will include a keynote address from Dr. Roy Suddaby, Professor and Francis G. Winspear Chair at the University of Victoria, Canada. Recognized as one of the world’s most influential researchers in organizational and social change, Dr. Suddaby has been elected to the Royal Society of Canada, he is among the Thomson Reuters group of academics who rank in the top one per cent of citations in their field, and he will share his insights with all of us at the conference.

Social entrepreneurs, directors, researchers, public policy makers, and anyone interested in community-based development, innovation, and entrepreneurship are invited to attend this popular conference. As a conference attendee, you will hear from and interact with practitioners and researchers on community innovation, social enterprise, place-based development, and their effect on community health and economic development.

Please save the conference dates above and come to connect in July. If you register by May 15, the cost of the conference is only $190+tax, and that includes the famous Surf & Turf dinner extravaganza (Cape Breton lobster & beef) by the Sydney harbour.

The conference includes the following themes:

  • Community-based development
  • Social Enterprises and Innovation
  • Co-operatives and sustainable business models
  • Place-based business
  • Sustainable Aboriginal economies
  • Entrepreneurial Financing

For further information contact:
Kelly Unsworth
Shannon School of Business
Cape Breton University
Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada B1P 6L2;
902.563.1447
CED_conference at cbu.ca

More information about the Community Innovation & Social Enterprise Conference

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