In this issue:
SFU Certificate Program for CED
Join the Canadian CED Network and the SFU Certificate Program for Community Economic Development in extending our congratulations to the recent graduates of the SFU CED Program and last year's bursary winners. The bursary program is funded by the Vancity Community Foundation and Coast Capital Savings. All graduates of the program receive a one year membership to the Canadian CED Network.
"It is at the community level where the failures of fragmented development approaches are most keenly felt. Community economic development integrates social, economic and environmental concerns into inclusive strategies which are not only more effective and sustainable, but improve the well-being of all citizens. Each of the CED students are part of an inspiring and rapidly growing movement of people who recognize this reality, and are committed to a healthy, vibrant and more just future. Congratulations and welcome to the Canadian CED Network!" - Mike Toye, Executive Director of CCEDNet
SFU CED 2010-2011 cohort share their appreciations & experiences. Applications for the 2011-2012 bursary program are being accepted now.
The CED class has greatly impacted me as a leader and small business owner working in my community. It's given me the tools experience and contacts I need to support our thriving community of builders working on Vancouver Island. It's so important that this kind of education is made available to grassroots young leaders like myself. We have the inspiration and the energy to make things happen- we just need the right amount of support and tools to launch us on our way. I was able to attend the CED class because of the bursary fund, and I am on the path of returning that investment made in me many times over through out my work and through out my community.
- Dawn Smith, Island Village Builders Cooperative
Coming to Vancouver eight times took lots of time, energy, and money, but it was worth it, because of the opportunity to learn about applied Community Economic Development.
- Maureen LeBourdais, Fraser Basin Council
The Certificate in Community Economic Development for Professionals has allowed me to take my self more seriously as a professional by being more able to contribute valuable skills and useful, up to date tools at the social enterprise where I work.
- Heather Feenstra, Nelson EcoStore
A great class once again, I am so glad I decided to take this program. It has really helped me gain a better understanding of the work that I am involved in and also given me a way to focus what I do now and in the future.
- Tabitha McLoughlin, Coquitlam Farmers Market
Participating in the Community Economic Development program has been an absolute privilege and receiving the bursary allowed me to do so. The bursary allowed me to be exposed to a wealth of experience from my classmates and be taught the skills and techniques involved in community economic development from my instructors. Most of all it allowed me to be in a program that has given me the confidence to go out into my community and create change.
- Chris Diplock, Vancouver Tool Lending Library
Canadian CED Network News
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Upcoming Events
- 2011-2012 SFU Community Economic Development Bursary Program funded by the Vancity Community Foundation & Coast Capital Savings. The deadline to apply is July 29, 2011.
Read more - 2011 Community Futures BC Annual Conference "Embracing Change"
September 11 - 13 in Dawson Creek, BC
Read more - Google Mapping Technology for Nonprofits
September 26-28, 2011
Read more - Community Economic Development Foundations
September 30 – October 1 in Vancouver
Read more - Fall enp workshop schedule is posted
Enp will be offering workshops in BC – click here for dates and locations
- Business Succession and Employee Ownership Conference
October 11-13 in Quebec City
Read more - North American Worker Co-op Conference 2011
October 13 to 15 in Quebec City
Read more - International Forum on the Social and Solidarity Economy - Early bird registration deadline extended
October 17-20 in Montréal
Read more - Community Organizing
This course looks at the ways which communities organize themselves in order to build the skills, knowledge and confidence of local people to act for social, economic and political change. The course will explore how organizing at the community level is critical for integrating the principles of CED (i.e. participation, sustainability, community-based, asset- based, self-reliance) with outcomes of community change (e.g. decreased poverty, strong local economies, environmental wellbeing, etc.)
October 28 – 29 in Vancouver
Read more - Canadian Conference on Social Enterprise
November 20-22 Halifax
Read more - Next-Up leadership training program
Want to get good at creating social change? Next Up is looking for its next crop of graduates. Registration will begin in late August. The next program will run from October to April. Read this article in The Tyee about the program.
Read more
Research, ideas and current affairs from the solidarity economy movement
CCPA and SPARC BC change the conversation on poverty in BC
The cost of poverty in BC works out to between $8 and $9 billion dollars each year; while an effective poverty reduction plan would cost around $3 billion dollars. The research is done. Now all that’s left to do is for you to pressure your elected representatives to invest in poverty reduction.
- Read more
How about an Ethical Consumer Co-op for Canada?
Ethical Consumer is a not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder UK co-operative that produces independent research into the social and environmental records of companies. Ethical Consumer has Buyers' Guides that rate over 160 good and service categories on universal human rights, environmental sustainability and animal welfare criteria. They help consumers to unravel the corporate branding spin and offer positive buying tips. There is also a section on which brands to boycott. Funding comes entirely from Ethical Consumer readers' subscriptions, adverts from ethically vetted companies and consultancy work for campaign groups and ethical organisations.
Co-operative economy outperforms shareholder economy
The British economy has been stagnant since 2008 except for the co-op sector where sales grew by 21% and membership by 18%. “Our co-operative economy is in good health – proof of exactly how economic success can be pursued alongside social responsibility.” Ed Mayo, secretary general of Co-operatives UK. Click here to read the full article.
Attention Municipal Governments! Here’s what you can do to create local wealth in ten simple steps
Step 1: Rebuild local economies by plugging the leaks that are draining local money away. How money circulates in an area is just as important as the amount of money flowing into it. Traditional economics suggests that cities must specialise. That may be true for the largest businesses, but it is irrelevant for local business. For them, the best way forward is not just by specialising, but also by building diversity and looking for ways of replacing imports.
- Read more
The Truth About the Economy in two minutes and 15 seconds
Robert Reich connects the dots on the economy in this YouTube video
Job Postings
Aug 10 deadline, Fundraising/Development Manager, Dogwood Initiative
www.dogwoodinitiative.org/aboutus/dogwoodjobs
Apply now! Three jobs at Ecotrust Canada
www.ecotrust.ca/about/jobs