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Strengths, Challenges and Opportunities of Farm and Food co-ops in Eastern Canada

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.

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.

Co-op Conversions: Profiling the Aron Theatre and Moonbeam Co-operative

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.

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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How to Track and Analyze the Critical Numbers of Your Business

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

Understanding the source/origin of the numbers and how to manipulate and analyze them is the key to overcoming the fear of accounting terminology and complexity.
 
The simple truth is that you don't need an MBA or an in-depth understanding of double-entry accounting to know which numbers are the most critical to the health of your business and that deserve your keen attention. These numbers are your ultimate scorecard.
 
We'll do a review of the basic financial documents that track the flow of money within your business. Most critical numbers live on the following documents:
  • 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.

2013 CWCF-CoopZone Conference

The CWCF-CoopZone Conference will take place in St. Albert (outside of Edmonton), Alberta, on November 7th to 9th, 2013.  The theme is: Educating Each Other for Empowerment.

Early-bird Registration for the 2013 Conference is now closed.  The final registration deadline is October 28, 2013.

There will be two great keynote speakers at the Conference:

Rebecca Kemble, President of the US Federation of Worker Co-ops, will speak about the new Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade (International Co-op Alliance, "ICA") and the international worker co-op association, CICOPA!

In addition to her role at the US FWC, Rebecca the President of CICOPA-North. America, Vice-President of CICOPA Americas and serves on the Executive Committee of CICOPA (worldwide). Rebecca is a worker-owner of Union Cab Cooperative where she has worked since 2000 as a night shift taxi driver as well as a mediator. She is also a founding member, writer and editor in the newly-formed Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative, and writes for The Progressive magazine.

The development of the Blueprint strategy was an outcome from the International Year of Co-operatives, This Blueprint is intended to provide the ICA and its members with a clear focal point for future activity, underpinned by ambitious goals.

Yvonne Chiu of the Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op is an inspiring worker co-op made up of immigrants and refugees who work as health brokers, i.e. liaisons between the health system and the immigrant and refugee communities. They are a group of 54 Multicultural Health Brokers. They represent 22 different cultural and linguistic communities in Edmonton.

Many started as volunteers in their communities and were identified as natural leaders, and were brought in as paid Brokers with the Co-operative.

Other great reasons to attend the 2013 CWCF - CoopZone Conference

  •  Meet other worker co-operators and developers from across Canada!
  • Learn about the Indivisible Reserve (permanent co-op capital) and take part in deliberations on this important topic!
  • Learn practical new tools!
  • Attend the (optional) Worker Co-op Movie Night!

The program of events for the conference can be read here.

Registration information is available here.

Community Economic Development Investment Funds: the Nova Scotia Experience (Webinar Recording)

Check out this exclusive discussion, co-sponsored by Thrive, the Calgary CED Network and Calgary Economic Development.

BACKGROUND

Community Economic Development Investment Funds are pools of capital, formed through the sale of shares (or units), to persons within a defined community, created to operate or invest in one or more local businesses.  The Nova Scotia Equity Tax Credit encourages local residents to invest in small businesses through CEDIFs with a personal tax credit of 35 per cent.  Over the 14 years of their existence, CEDIFs have grown from an untested concept to a proven model for community capital development that now manages more than $50 million in 48 funds, all raised from local individuals.  The model has been transferred to Prince Edward Island and other provinces have also expressed interest. 

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. 

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.

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