September 11th, 2013
12:00 - 1:00PM Eastern time

Lunch 'N Learn Webinar: "Strengths, Challenges and Opportunities of Farm and Food co-ops in Eastern Canada"
Presenter: Andrew Alford

This short report will provide a quick glimpse to small-scale farm and food co-ops across Eastern Canada (i.e., Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia). There will also be an in-depth focus on farm and food co-ops located in Ontario. It is composed of co-op visits that took place during the summer of 2013.

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About the Speaker

Over the past two years, he has dedicated his time to learning and practicing ecological agriculture on small-scale farms in the Guelph area. Recently, he has shown a keen interest to co-operative business structures - especially when it incorporates healthy, local food! He has committed the summer of 2013 to studying and supporting smallscale farm and food co-ops across Eastern Canada. In the near future, Andrew is interested in farming co-operatively and involving himself in local food policy.

August 14th, 2013
11:30AM TO 1:00PM Eastern time

Lunch N' Learn Webinar: "Co-op Conversions: Profiling the Aron Theatre and Moonbeam Co-operative"
Presenters: Russ Christianson, Independent Co-op Developer & Christian Howald, Co-op Developer, CCO

As part of our "Profiling New and Emerging Co-ops" mini series, Russ and Christian will review the origins, successes, challenges, learnings and future steps of two businesses that were transformed into co-operatives to ensure their local communities continued to thrive.

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About the Speakers

Russ Christianson is the President and founder of Rhythm Communications. He has a broad range of experience in strategic positioning, market research, feasibility studies, business planning, management systems, facilitation, and multi-stakeholder consultations. Russ is the developer of Whole Systems Feedback, a unique motivational research methodology.

Since 2010, Christian Howald is the Northern Ontario co-operative development agent for a francophone co-operative association that was founded in 1964: the CCO (le Conseil de la coopération de l’Ontario).Christian acquired a master’s degree in applied social research for which he specialized in community social and economic development in Northern Ontario: teaching people to work together. His passion for developing Northern Ontario comes from his children, who unless the system changes, will be forced to leave the region like so many others.

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If you're someone who is a bit intimidated by accounting… we organized this webinar with you in mind.

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• Balance Sheet
• Income Statement
• Cash Flow Statement

We'll also focus on key profitability terms such as tracking your Gross Margin and Net Income and learn some key ratios.
 
One of the most important reasons to organize your financial information is to stay on top of your taxes so as to avoid any liability issues.

Webinar participation is FREE, but registration is required.

Format:

• 12:00 - 12:45 pm Eastern time | Welcome/Presentation
• 12:45 - 01:00 pm | Questions & Answers

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About the Guest Speakers:

Lewis Nozetz, M.B.A.
Executive and Process Improvement Consultant

LCN Solutions Management Consulting

Lewis is a C-Level Operations Optimizer and Strategic Relationship Builder who:

• implements industry best practices;
• creates and implements financial initiatives;
• implements reporting dashboards that provide critical financial data for effective decision-making;
• increases cash flow by 20% via effective foreign exchange strategies.

Also in collaboration with:

Ellis Basevitz, C.A.
Senior Consultant
PSB Boisjoli, LLP

As a founder of the firm, I owe my success to my ability to establish lasting relationships with clients and business partners. I am known for my passion and enthusiasm for problem solving, providing original and creative ideas that help clients to save money and grow their assets. My services are based on mutual trust, knowing how to listen to and understand the needs and objectives of our clients, and becoming their partner in the development of short and long term strategies, whether personal or in business.

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BACKGROUND

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This session introduces the CEDIF model, illustrates the impacts it has had redirecting investments for local impact, and considers key lessons from Nova Scotia’s success. 

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PRESENTER

• Chris Payne, Government of Nova Scotia
  Chris is Investment Manager for CEDIFs with Nova Scotia Economic and Rural Development and Tourism.  He is a professional accountant (CMA) and has completed the Canadian Securities Course and the CICA in-depth GST/HST program.  He is also on the National Board of Examiners for the CMA.  He has been with the CEDIF program since before it began and promoted the investment tool throughout the province and internationally.

Additional Resources

• Nova Scotia Government webpage on CEDIFs
• CEDIF Public Policy Profile by the Canadian Social Economy Hub
• Equity Tax Credits as a Tool for CED by Stewart Perry and Garry Loewen, Canadian Centre for Community Renewal
• “No Payne, No Gain:  Chris Payne on Hyperlocal Investing” blog post by Peter Deitz on socialfinance.ca
• World Economic Forum profile of CEDIFs as part of their Policy Guide to Scaling Social Innovation (see page 40). 

SVX Venture Information Session

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Whether you're a for-profit social purpose business, a nonprofit organization, a charity or co-operative, the SVX Venture Information Session, is your opportunity to learn about the features and benefits of the SVX platform and how you can begin your journey with the SVX.

Webinar Details

To connect to the webinar, please visit mdd.adobeconnect.com/svx. Please select "Enter as a guest" and enter your name. 

Although audio will be available via computer, it is highly recommended that you dial in by phone at 1-866-261-6767 Participant Code: 9999017#.

About the SVX

The SVX is a private investment platform built to connect impact ventures, funds and investors in order to catalyze new debt and equity investment capital for ventures that have demonstrable social and/or environmental impact and the potential for financial return.

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