Winter 2008 - 2009

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FEATURE: What if they threw a recession and nobody showed up?

By Nicole Chaland and Nathan Hunter

It's Henry Paulson's party, and he can cry if he wants to.

We just don't have to be there. And that's exactly what the Community Economic Development movement has decided to do - and we won't be attending the recession either.

Credit unions as opposed to banks - a classic Community Economic Development (CED) model - are owned entirely by their customers. If you have a chequing account at a credit union, you are an owner of that credit union. By definition, credit unions are locally-owned, locally-managed, and locally-governed. Shares are issued to members and are not sold on the stock market. Credit unions also tend to reinvest profits into their communities. As such, credit unions, as this article explains,while not immune from, are less susceptible to the volatility of the international and financial markets.


Housing Trusts - another tried and true CED model - set aside land for affordable housing... forever.

Individual homeowners, co-operatives, and non-profit housing associations purchase long-term leases from the trust and own their buildings outright.

Individual homeowners buy and sell apartments or homes through the same real estate market as everyone; prices fluctuate with the market but are lower because the trust owns the land. It's easier for co-operatives and non-profit housing associations to develop affordable housing because they do not need to worry about the cost of the land.

Trusts are common place in Canadian ecological conservation efforts, but haven't been applied to housing widely. In the U.S., however, where philanthropy is more prevalent, housing trusts are a staple ingredient in affordable housing efforts. Lately, they are being re-examined in light of the recent sharp increase in foreclosures. 


Holly Sklar, in No Foreclosures Here writes, "Housing experts across the country have their eye on community land trusts as proven means of preventing foreclosures. A survey released in March 2008 found only two foreclosures among a national sample of 3,115 land trust homeowners."

If a community collectively owns its financial services and land for housing it is more resilient against the whims of the global market. Ultimately, we are experiencing first-hand what happens when decisions are made by a handful of people who are neither accountable nor altruistic.

Communities have relinquished responsibility for the health of their economies; communities can and should ask senior levels of government for help to reclaim responsibility through Community Economic Development.

An economic stimulus package can contribute to short-term economic growth, possibly benefiting the very people and mentality that caused this mess in the first place. Or a stimulus package can be designed to foster short-term economic growth and benefit

Canadians within a sustainable economic and environmentally sound model.
Community Economic Development isn't a bubble. It's a rock. And a foundation. And one that we believe a healthy, sustainable community can be built upon.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Community Economic Development Leaders awarded for their contributions to strengthening communities.

Bravo! for CCEDNet partner, Ana Maria Pareda the Director of the BC Institute for Co-operative Studies, was recently awarded the Internationalization Leadership Award by the Canadian Bureau for International Education. More info>>

Kudos to CCEDNet member, SEED Winnipeg, for winning the National Canadian Worker Co-operative Merit Award. Keep up the great work! More info here>> and here>>

Congratulations to the Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group who won 2008 CMHC Housing Award which undertook the classic approach to community economic development using community organizing to increase control of local assets. More Info>> 

***

Got a notable story about rural revitalization through arts and culture? Please send it to Nancy Duxbury at the Centre for Policy Studies on Culture and Communities
 at SFU duxbury@sfu.ca for part of a practical study that will result in identifying best practices for this emerging practice.

Software Donations! Staring January 30, 2009, TechSoup for Canadian organizations will be managed through the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) in Toronto, under the name TechSoup Canada. www.techsoup.org

Internet impact survey - Rural BC Click here to participate>>

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GOOD IDEAS

Check out the Obama-Biden plan for universal voluntary citizen service. Canada stands out as one of few OECD countries that don't having a citizen service program -think domestic peace corp - maybe it's time to ask why. Click here>>

Charitable Donations

Charitable donations have become a popular gift giving tradition of the CED movement. Help plug economic leaks and make your donation go farther by donating to a Canadian Charity.

This year, we highlight three important national giving opportunities:

  • Donate to the Girls Growth Fund - an investment in the future of girls across Canada. www.girlsgrowthfund.org
  • Donate to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives or better yet, have your family collectively donate $1000 and the Tides Canada Foundation Social Justice Fund will match 50 per cent of first-time donations of $1000 or more (meaning they'll turn your $1000 contribution into $1500).
  • Of course, you can donate to Canadian CED Network and receive a charitable tax receipt. To Donate now click here>>

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NEW KNOWLEDGE & RESOURCES

How to Save Ourselves From the Irrational Economy - Dan Ariely, Harvard Business Publishing. Click here>>

Chief economist, Helmut Pastrick, of Central 1 Credit Union (formerly Credit Union Central of BC) discusses the current financial situation. Click here>>

The Forgotten Fundamentals by Ken Battle, Sherri Torjman and Michael Mendelson, December 2008
Strong social programs can play a vital part in an economic stimulus package. Ottawa has at its disposal several effective social programs that can play an important part in an economic stimulus package to combat the recession.To read the whole article click here>>

The Housing Fix by Daniel Fireside
A study conducted in December showed that foreclosure rates among members of 80 housing trusts across the United States were 30 times lower than the national average. Click here>> 

Modeling Markets: This economy does not compute by Mark Buchanan
It seems clear that no one really knows what is coming next. Why?
Click here>>

Poverty Policy
An excellent paper written by Sherri Torjman of the Caledon Institute, that lays out a comprehensive anti-poverty strategy focusing on asset building as a tool to lift people out of economic depression. Click here>> 

Tax Free Savings Accounts: One of the few viable options available to low income Canadians to create some financial protection. A relatively pertinent topic, given the current economic and employment situation. For more info click here>> and here>>

The Story of Stuff
A Great Independent Web-Video that relates to CED: For those of you with a solid twenty-five minutes to spare, and a decent internet connection, give this entertaining and informative flash video a look-see!
www.storyofstuff.com

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EVENTS

First Nations Negotiation and Investment Strategies Conference
Vancouver, British Columbia
December 11 - 12, 2008
Click here>>

SFU Certificate for Community Economic Development Professionals

Upcoming Courses
Victoria
Spring 2009
***Social Enterprise Development, February 20-21

(qualifies as orientation to Enterprising Non-profits program)
CED Approaches to Affordable Housing, April 24-25

Vancouver
Spring 2009
Co-operative Models of CED, January 23-24

Financing CED Projects, March 27-28

Sustainable Development and CED, May 29-30

*New* Register online - click here>>

What students have to say about the program...

Honestly, I think it is some of the most practical education I have ever received. Patricia Morgan, Dawson Creek

The whole program has really been a huge benefit to me. It has helped develop my skills and increased my understanding of the issues relating to CED. I like the format, having two days and then an assignment; the assignments have been valuable and applicable.... Good good good.
Kevin Koopmans, Community Futures South Fraser

For more information click here>> 

***

Enterprising Non-Profits orientation sessions

**February 20-21, Victoria
orientation to enp is included in SFU's Social Enterprise Development course which can be attributed to completion of the Certificate Program for CED Professionals

March 4, Vancouver
March 10, Nanaimo
March 25, Surrey
March 31, Kamloops
April 2, Revelstoke
April 21, Kitimaat Village
April 23, Burns Lake
April 24, Vanderhoof
April 29, Crankbrook

For more info click here>>

***

2009 National CED Conference
Save the Date! June 3-6, 2009
Winnipeg, MB
Click here>>

Economic Development Association of Canada and Economic Development Association of BC 2009 Conference
September 18-23, 2009
Vancouver
Click here>>

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FUNDING & CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES

Remote Community Clean Energy Program - If you're community is off the grid, here's a $20 million BC government program to stay off with support for sustainable community energy solutions.
Click here>> 

Sustainable Community Plans 2008- $$ for municipal governments to develop sustainable community economic development strategies
Click here>>

World Summit Youth Award to achieve Millennium Development Goals
Deadline: December 31, 2008
Click here>> 

BC Healthy Communities: Seed Grant Program
Deadline: January 15, 2009
Click here>>

Community Action on Energy and Emissions $50,000 up for grabs if your community can demonstrate exceptional leadership in policy and / or planning initiatives that advance energy efficiency, air quality or reducing GHG emissions.
Deadline: January 15, 2009
www.caee.ca

Towns For Tomorrow
Deadline: January 16, 2009
Click here>>

LocalMotion for municipalities to lower their greenhouse gas emissions.
Deadline: January 16, 2009
Click here>>

Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund
Deadline: January 20, 2009
http://www.nkdf.org/

Cycling Infrastructure Program
Deadline: January 30, 2009
Click here>>

Democracy Short Video Challenge
Deadline: January 31, 2008
Click here>>

Video competition for the Canadian Social Forum. Winners will receive $500 cash prize, travel and accommodations to the Canadian Social Forum, and an internship.              
Click here>>

Federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program
Deadline: Open
First Nations Forestry Council
Click here>>

Green Municipal Fund Feasibility Studies and Field Tests
Deadline: Open
Click here>>

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JOBS

Economic Development Officer, City of Vernon
Deadline: December 9
Click here>>

Planning Services Manager, City of Campbell River
Deadline: December 12
Click here>>

Assistant Director - Social Infrastructure, City of Vancouver
Deadline: December 12
Click here>>

Project Manager - Ministry of Agriculture and Land, Kamloops
Deadline: December 12
Click here>>

Planning Officer II, Cariboo Regional District
Deadline: December 19
Click here>> 

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