1:00pm 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 to 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.

1:00pm 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 Different by Design: Exploring Innovation for Rural Prosperity conference explores the unique potential and many possibilities that exists in rural places. The 2017 Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation conference will be co-hosted with Applied Research and Innovation Centre, Selkirk College. 

The conference will take place in Nelson, British Columbia from September 20-23, 2017. 

Register for Different by Design

The Different by Design conference has four themes:

1. Workforces of Tomorrow
   The economies of tomorrow are unlikely to look like the economies that settled and built rural regions. This raises questions like what job opportunities do we expect in the coming years? How are we addressing changing training, capacity building, and recruitment needs? How do we identify and build necessary skills? We are looking for your innovative approaches to addressing workforce challenges today, as well as what you are doing to prepare for tomorrow.
    
2. Our Changing Environment
   We know our environments are changing. These changes range from habitat loss to ecosystem degradation to a changing climate. What are we doing to slow, stop, or reverse these changes? How are we adapting to changing conditions? We want to hear about your approaches or solutions and what you have learned.
    
3. Creating Connections
   In an era of complex problems and limited resources our most valuable assets can be relationships, partnerships, and collaborations with others. We are looking for examples of collaborative initiatives between organizations – including between municipalities, with different levels of government, public-private partnerships, working with First Nations, and more.
    
4. Communities of Opportunity
   Development is often synonymous with traditional industry or business, but any rural resident knows the creativity and innovation that goes into making a living in rural places. Development opportunities relating to food, energy, recreation, tourism, arts, culture, and much more can be found across rural places. We are looking for the ideas you have tried or would like to try and what you have learned.

Accredited professional development sessions will be offered – more information to come!

Now accepting submissions!

Conference organizers are now accepting submissions for oral presentations, panels, capacity building sessions and posters. The deadline for the first call is March 10, 2017. Click here to submit.

2:00pm 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-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.