12pm to 1pm Eastern Time

Municipal governments play a key role in setting the conditions for territorial development and in enabling the well-being of their population. It is at the local level that many of the development dynamics that determine the quality of our everyday life converge, and where the sense of belonging and the impact of citizen participation are the most important. Social and solidarity economy (SSE) enterprises are important participants at this level, particularly since they emerge in response to the needs and aspirations of their communities.

Support from municipalities, oftentimes one of the most important local economic actors, is usually critical for a SSE enterprise. Many studies and events, including the Forum on Municipalities and the Social Economy co-organized by the Chantier de l’économie sociale and the TIESS (an organization for the liaison and transfer of innovative practices in the SSE) in April 2014, have illustrated the importance of this relationship and the important impact it has on citizens’ wellbeing. However, the tools available to municipalities interested in supporting the social and solidarity economy and the ways of applying them are still little known or understood.

The webinaire will look at different types of initiatives that can be put into place or supported by municipalities interested in enabling the development of the social and solidarity economy on their territory in order to answer the economic, social, cultural and environmental needs of their community.

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Speaker :

Béatrice Alain is the Coordinator of the RELIESS, an international centre for referencing and networking on public policies for the social and solidarity economy.

Learn more about RELIESS

1:00PM to 5:00 PM
212 - 1737 West 3rd Ave

Governance 201 is the Momentum Centre’s half-day workshop on co-operative governance. Building on BCCA’s Governance 101 workshop, this workshop briefly examines the basic foundations of co-operative governance, and then discusses key strategies to live the co-operative principles as a director or manager of a co-op.

Register here

Build a better co-op.

Co-operative governance is an essential part of your responsibility as the director or manager of a co-op, and a vital factor for guiding your organization towards its vision of success.

Governance 201 is the Momentum Centre’s half-day workshop on co-operative governance. Building on BCCA’s Governance 101 workshop, this workshop briefly examines the basic foundations of co-operative governance, and then discusses key strategies to live the co-operative principles as a director or manager of a co-op.

Plan for success.

You will receive coaching on key topics such as:

• Board selection and succession: balancing the democratic nature of a co-op with a need to have a variety of experience and capabilities on your Board.
• Orienting directors: the best methods in introducing new directors to your co-op’s board, from a staff and board perspective.
• Evaluating performance: how to develop methods to measure your board’s performance in relation to both its goals and its governance responsibilities.
• Communicating governance with members: co-operative governance means living the co-operative principles as you help guide an enterprise through success and challenges. We’ll talk about communicating that with members - and how to help members communicate with you.

Please note: This workshop is interactive. You will need to bring a copy of your co-op’s Rules for context, and be prepared to actively discuss the scenarios and situations.

Attend in-person in Vancouver.

This workshop will be held in-person in Vancouver at the BCCA offices. If you can't make it to the workshop in person, BCCA training sessions are available by webinar or teleconference. We'll make it happen. Just get in touch!

Contact Information

Phone: 6046623906
Email: harding@bcca.coop

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After nearly a decade of listening, learning, refining, and listening some more, with staff on the ground in small towns in New England and the Rocky Mountain West, the Orton Family Foundation is ready to share their field-tested method that leads to stronger towns.

The Community Heart & Soul™ Field Guide, spells out step-by-step how to inspire residents to shape the future of their communities, based on what matters most to them.

Whether you are a city planner, elected official, or a resident concerned about your town’s future, the Field Guide can help start the conversation about strengthening the social, cultural and economic vibrancy of your town.

In this free webinar, you'll hear from Orton Executive Director David Leckey on how Heart & Soul leads to real, positive change, and Alece Montez-Griego, director of programs, with an overview of the method. Plus Mike Bestor, city manager, Golden, Colorado, and Delilah Poupore, executive director of Heart of Biddeford, Biddeford, Maine, on how Heart & Soul matters in their towns, with time for Q&A!

• Intro to Community Heart & Soul: Orton Family Foundation Executive Director David Leckey on how discovering what matters most in a community leads to real, positive change.
• Get to Know the Field Guide: A brief overview of the field-tested method with Alece Montez-Griego, programs director at Orton.
• Heart & Soul—Steering change: Mike Bestor, city manager, Golden, Colorado and Delilah Poupore, executive director Heart of Biddeford, Biddeford, Maine discuss how Heart & Soul transformed their towns.
• Q&A with questions from the audience.

The first 50 to sign up receive a free, bound copy of the Community Heart & Soul™ Field Guide.

Register now

Can't wait to get started? Download a copy of the Field Guide now!

3:00pm to 5:00pm
212 - 1737 West 3rd Ave

Co-ops 101 is BCCA's introduction to co-operatives and the co-op movement. Designed to be relevant and interesting everyone from new co-operators, employees at co-ops and credit unions, or anyone interested in the co-op movement, it's an excellent way to learn more about co-ops.

Register here

Start co-operating.

Are you interested in starting a co-operative? Do you work for a co-op or a credit union and want to learn more about the co-op sector? Does the idea of co-operation interest you?

That's why we're here. Come and learn all about the co-op sector, co-operatives, how and why to start one, and how the BCCA can help you as you think of ways to build a co-operative economy.

Learn about co-op business basics.

Learn about the history of co-ops, different kinds of co-ops ranging from consumer co-ops to worker co-ops to nonprofit co-ops at this workshop.

Participants will also explore how to take their idea towards the development of a co-op, including:

• The co-op development path
• Assessing a business idea
• Feasibility and business planning
• The nuts and bolts of starting a co-op
• Support and assistance from the BCCA and the co-op sector
• Access co-op development support.

Contact Information

Phone: 6046623906
Email: harding@bcca.coop

10am to 3pm
212 - 1737 West 3rd Ave

This full-day highly interactive workshop will empower you to co-operatively make great decisions for your co-op. You will leave the workshop with a solid understanding of your Rules, what is required of them, and why they are of benefit to your co-op. You'll also have the capacity to update or write your Rules.

Register here

Rules Writing Intensive.

Rules (aka co-op by laws) provide the map for your organization to function and answer important questions such as, How can members join the co-op? Or What is everyone’s responsibilities?.

Drafting rules can be a challenging undertaking to create, revise, and review.

This full-day highly interactive workshop will empower you to co-operatively make great decisions for your co-op. You will leave the workshop with a solid understanding of your Rules, what is required of them, and why they are of benefit to your co-op.

Learn the ropes and plan for success.

To make the most of it you will need to bring:

• An electronic copy of your co-op’s Rules
• If you don’t have current Rules, your co-op’s ideas and action plan towards incorporation
• Questions that you or have about your Rules as they currently exist
• Identified areas that you would like to address, review, or revise.
• Pack a lunch as well!

Please note: This workshop is not legal advice, and the facilitator cannot offer legal advice or provide legal services. If your co-op needs to seek out a lawyer for assistance, the BCCA can connect you with experts in the field.

Attend in-person in Vancouver.

This workshop will be held in-person in Vancouver. If you can't make it to the workshop in person, BCCA training sessions are available by webinar or teleconference. We'll make it happen. Just get in touch.

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Governance 101 is an introduction to the governance environment of a co-op enterprise – you will learn about the relationship between governing the co-operative, participating as a member, and running the business. You will also learn about the obligations that you take on when you volunteer to be a director of your co-operative.

Register now

How to Govern Your Co-op

Governance as a concept can seem mysterious as the line between the operational management of a co-operative enterprise can often become blurred with enacting the rules and policies that a co-op board adopts to ensure that it is well run.

Governance 101 is an introduction to the governance environment of a co-op enterprise – you will learn about the relationship between governing the co-operative, participating as a member, and running the business. You will also learn about the obligations that you take on when you volunteer to be a director of your co-operative.

De-Mystifying Governance

You will explore key governance topics during this workshop, including:

• The nature of governance in a co-operative enterprise
• How to balance management, member participation, and governance
• Legal obligations as a director of a co-operative enterprise
• Governance best practices

Who Should Attend?

Board members, directors, managers and/or those thinking about stepping into governance roles

Attend In-Person in Vancouver

This workshop will be hosted in Vancouver at BCCA's offices. If you can't make it to the workshop in person, BCCA training sessions are available by webinar or teleconference. We'll make it happen. Just get in touch.

Contact Information:
Phone: 604-662-3906
Email: harding at bcca.coop