1pm Eastern

This webinar is targeted for impact investors and others who want to better understand investment options for targeting impact capital to worker coops. We will provide background about worker cooperatives and the opportunity in worker coop conversions, review worker coop investment structures, and delve into investment options ranging from direct investing, loan and equity fund investing and investment crowdfunding.

Register for the Impact Investing in Worker Cooperatives webinar

Presenters

Blake Jones, Co-founder, Namasté Solar
Christina Jennings, Executive Director, Shared Capital
Matt Glatting, Treasurer, Capital Impact Partners
Annie McShiras, Investment Associate, Self-Help Federal Credit Union
Alison Lingane, Co-founder, Project Equity

9am to 3pm
CSI Annex, 720 Bathurst St

Join the GTA Co-op Network on Saturday May 6 at CSI Annex for a day of co-op Transformation! Participants will explore the role of Co-ops as a Tranformative Force in the Past, Present and most importantly the Future!

Register for the GTA Co-op Connections Conference

Four Points by Sheraton Hotel & Conference Centre  
35 Laurier Street

Theme: Radical Roots/ Radical Routes of Worker Co-operation

The world needs workplace democracy now more than ever; it needs people and planet before profits.  Attend the CWCF-CoopZone Conference to help map out these radical routes, to build this new and better world through worker co-operation!

The movement for workplace democracy has always had a radical, transformative vision. These radical roots also call us to new radical routes, i.e., what is our way forward as a movement of solidarity economics based on ownership and control instead of capital? The world needs workplace democracy now more than ever; it needs people and planet before profits. Come to our Conference to help us map out these radical routes, to build this new and better world.

Register for 2017 Conference of the Canadian Worker Co-op Federation

CWCF is thrilled to welcome two Senators as co-keynote speakers, Senator Lucie Moncion, a committed life-long co-operator and Past President of Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada; and Senator Murray Sinclair, who chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

November 2:  

1) Worker Co-op Management Intensive Day, Business Inn, Ottawa,

OR

2) Co-op Developer Intensive Day, designed by the CoopZone Board for Co-op Developers, at Four Points Sheraton, Gatineau.

November 3 & 4: Main Conference Program.

Note:  Accommodations will be available at the Four Points Sheraton and a nearby hostel.  The two conference sites, although in different provinces, are only 3 kilometres apart; we will organize ground transportation.

7:30am - 9:30pm
Courtyard by Marriott, Downtown Toronto
475 Yonge St.

This year's conference will focus on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, and how Ontario co-operatives can work towards becoming more sustainable - both within their own organizations and together, as a movement.

The main goal with this year's provincial gathering is to instill inspiration and provide some basic tools for co-operative leaders, directors, staff and members of co-operative organizations, to make positive changes within their organization, as well as provide opportunities for creating connections and collaborations, that will go well beyond the one-day conference.

Register for People, Planet and Prosperity: Co-operatives and Sustainability

Delegates will receive first-hand accounts of sustainability at practice within a variety of co-operatives and business sectors, and the differences that these organizations are making within their communities. Delegates will also examine some of the obstacles facing Ontario's co-operatives and which prevent us from achieving sustainable development, and brainstorm ways to overcome these challenges. They will then regroup and share our ideas. And something new and exciting that they have added for the first time ever: the highlights and takeaways of the conference will be packaged for our delegates in one final wrap-up session, which will leave them inspired and ready to take action!   

Delegates are then invited to join in a networking cocktail reception (included as part of the conference), and to end the day with a very special evening Banquet & Fundraiser, along with leaders of Ontario's credit union system!

This year's event will take place all-day and include:

• A networking reception over a hot buffet breakfast
• The On Co-op Annual General Meeting
• A morning Keynote Address & Plenary sessions
• The Co-operative Spirit Awards ceremony and a hot buffet lunch
• Afternoon interactive breakout sessions
• A cocktail reception (held in partnership with the Directors' Forum)
• A very sepcial evening Banquet & Fundraiser, hosted by On Co-op in partnership with the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF). This will be a joint event with the delegates of the 2017 Credit Union Directors' Forum - a wonderful and unique opportunity to network with Ontario's credit union system! 

Canada celebrates its 150th Anniversary this year, and holding the Co-operative Congress in Ottawa is an opportunity for our members to enjoy the atmosphere of celebration. With the National Capital Region hosting a year-long celebration marking our confederation, it is an extraordinary time to visit.

Congress takes place June 20 – 22 at the Delta Hotel and early bird registration begins on April 3.

This year’s welcome reception, the evening of June 20th, will be an outdoor block party on one of Canada’s most famous pedestrian spaces, the Sparks Street mall. The event will have street food and entertainment within steps of the Parliament.  

Register for the Co-operative Congress 2017

A key session during this year’s Congress will be focusing on how the co‑operative model can deliver economic growth by solving challenges together with the Federal Government. This discussion will contribute to a national strategy on co-operative development that identifies emerging opportunities and ways of accelerating their impact socially and economically.  

The Congress Awards Ceremony will celebrate Canada’s brightest Emerging Co‑operator, the Co-operative of the Year, and the Co-operative Achievement Award recognizing exceptional careers in the sector.

Organized tours of the Ottawa region’s many co‑operatives will inspire you, the CMC AGM will vote on our 2017-2020 strategic plan, and a Gala evening, including live entertainment, will bring us together for an elegant evening and late night party.

Metro Toronto Convention Centre
South Building, 222 Bremner Boulevard

Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development and Growth (MEDG), will host the third Social Enterprise Zone and Pitch Competition at Discovery 2017 on May 15 and 16.

Twenty-four Ontario-based companies will be invited to exhibit their social innovation on the Discovery show floor. This will build broader awareness of the companies that exist in this niche market, provide exposure to potential private investors, and engage the entire innovation ecosystem.

Register for Social Enterprise Zone and Pitch Competition

Successful applicants will receive a complimentary 6x8 foot booth, two attendee passes, and travel costs covered if outside the GTA. This exclusive opportunity gives you access to experts, industry, government funders, investors, engaging keynote speakers, fascinating panel discussions,  networking opportunities and an opportunity for face-to-face meetings with sector experts.

As well, the Pitch Competition will provide a platform for five- eight of the showcase companies to pitch during Discovery for a $25,000 award, including a $10,000 award from MEDG, a $5,000 award from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and a $10,000 legal-services package from Norton Rose Fulbright to assist with the further development of their business. Participation in the Pitch Competition is completely optional. However, we encourage any business applying for the Social Enterprise Zone to consider this incredible opportunity to further expand the development of your company.