Take a Leading Role in a World Class Community Development Conference

• Get recognition for your work through our peer-review process and conference proceedings
• Connect with passionate peers and world renowned experts in community development
• Learn and share effective tools for helping communities engage and progress on their own terms

The Community Development Society (CDS) was founded in 1969 to create a national and international network of community development researchers, practitioners and policy makers  with an interest in community development.

More Information on the Conference

The CDS is requesting proposals for refereed presentations and posters relating to community development for presentation at the 2018 Community Development Society Conference, July 22-25, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Submissions relating to the conference theme, “Renaissance of Community” are encouraged, but all submissions will be given full consideration.

Pre-conference Workshops: On Sunday July 22, 2018 we will be hosting pre-conference workshops that engage our membership in meaningful, intensive, and interactive sessions to gain new skills related to community development. Each workshop will be scheduled for a half day or a full day (2.5 hours or 5 hours). 

Ignite Sessions: An Ignite session is a method of sharing on an inspiring and exciting topic in 5 minutes using 20 Power Point slides, advancing automatically every 15 seconds. Ignite slides tend to incorporate excellence in slide design in support of a very clearly articulated message. 

Roundtables: Roundtables are 45-minute oral presentations with attendees seated around a table. Roundtable presentations typically include 15 minutes of presentation, followed by 30 minutes of discussion and feedback.

Think Tank: A Think Tank is a session focusing on a single issue or question. Initially, a chairperson orients attendees to the issue or question and relevantcontext. Then, attendees break into small groups to explore the issue or question and finally reconvene to share their enhanced understanding through a discussion facili- tated by the chairperson.

Birds of a Feather Gatherings: Birds of a Feather Gatherings, also known as idea exchanges or networking tables, are relatively small and informal discussion based gatherings, aimed at building networks and exploring ideas. This is the only session type for which there is NO formal presentation; instead the facilitators ensure that there is time for introductions amongst those in attendance and come with questions or ideas to spark discussion around a particular topic area. 

The CoopZone Developers’ Network Co- operative is a network of people and organizations that help to start, develop and support co-operatives.

Co-operatives need leadership. Do you want to offer that leadership? CoopZone’s courses are here to help you develop into the leader co-operatives need.

The CoopZone Developers’ Network Co-operative is pleased to announce the information for its online training program on co-operative development beginning each fall.  Note that in 2017-18, we will be offering the Introductory CoopZone training program and the Advanced program.

The Introductory Course 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; it runs from mid-October through April.

The Advanced Program, lasts for two years and both years will be offered each year if there is sufficient demand.  This level is designed for people who seek to provide full development services to co-operatives.  Each level is designed to take a few hours per week.  For more information, please read the attached brochure (Brochure for courses, Intro and Advanced), which provides a high-level summary of the program, and practical information about it (application deadline, tuition, etc.).

Some bursaries are available.  Funding for the bursaries has been provided by Vancity Credit Union, Assiniboine Credit Union, Carrot Cache as well as the Manitoba Cooperative Promotion Board. CoopZone expresses its sincere appreciation for these important contributions – thank you!  The deadline for bursaries has been extended to Tuesday, October 3rd for both the Introductory and Advanced courses.

Registration Information for Coopzone Training Programs and Courses

Course Length & Deadline

Basic introductory Program

• 1-year Program
• Mid-October – April

Application deadline: early October

Advanced Program

• 2-year Program
• Each of 1st and 2nd years:

Mid-September – May

Application Deadline: mid-August

• The 1st year is not a prerequisite for the 2nd year.

Testimonials:

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’ve been applying what I have learned from the course to my day-to-day work with co-ops right from the start of the program and would highly recommend it to anyone who works with co-ops, social enterprises, and those involved in community economic development on any level.

⏤ Mark Sparrow, NSCC

After working and consulting with non-profits for over 20 years, Co-op Zone training has given me the understanding and tools to finally be able to work with co-ops. During the course I had 4  groups engage me to help start or transition their co-op, and my assigned mentor as well as the CoopZone network helped guide me through it. Thank you!

⏤ Rick Juliusson, FreeRange Consulting, BC.

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