We are excited to announce that the Conference Program is now ready, and on-line registration is now open for the 2010 Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation AGM and Conference. The theme is "Worker Co-operatives and Sustainable Development", and one of two keynote speakers is Peter Robinson, CEO of the David Suzuki Foundation and past CEO of Mountain Equipment Co-op. There will be many workshops of practical use to worker co-operators: from Accesssing Capital, to Marketing, to sessions on environmental sustainability, as well as time for participants to choose their own topics in "open-space" workshops -- and more! We have built in extra time for discussion among participants. As usual, there will be great opportunities for sharing and networking with other co-operators. It is being held from Thursday, October 28th to Saturday, October 30th, 2010 in Vancouver, B.C. at the YWCA Hotel. A CoopZone Co-op Developers' Forum is being held in conjunction with the CWCF Conference this year, including workshops, a strategy session and a developers' caucus meeting - plus an invitation to participate in all CWCF plenary sessions.
We would like to encourage participants to register as soon as possible. To that end, we are offering an EARLY BIRD special for registering on or before September 16th. Save up to 20% (or at least $40) by taking advantage of the EARLY BIRD rate. In the meantime, it would be helpful if you could indicate by return e-mail if you are planning to attend the Conference. CWCF has booked a block of rooms at the YWCA Hotel at very modest rates; to reserve those please go through our registration site. The number of rooms there is limited.
Awards! - with opportunity for Free Registration / Deadline Soon
Just a reminder that the inaugural Worker Co-op 'Best Practices Award' will be given out at this year's Conference. The Best Practices Award will enable sharing of innovative practices with other worker co-operatives in Canada to help strengthen the movement. It will also recognize worker co-operative excellence. There is a lot of great work being done, so let's celebrate it! Best Practices can be in the areas of governance, marketing, quality assurance, cost control, the triple bottom line, community impact, workplace atmosphere and more.
A second award, the Worker Co-op Merit Award, will also be presented. CWCF has changed its criteria so that only individuals can receive this award, to recognize outstanding contributions to the worker co-op movement. Generally the recipients chosen will be from the region in which the annual CWCF Conference is held (the BC region, this year).
The Merit Award winner and one member of the co-op from the winner of the Best Practices Award will have their registration and travel expenses covered to attend the CWCF Conference. The Best Practices Award winner will be asked to present their best practice at the CWCF Conference.
Nominate a worker co-operative for the Best Practices Award, or an individual for the Merit Award, and tell us why in less than 500 words by writing to David Wilson atdavid@canadianworker.coop). Deadline for both awards is August 27, 2010.
Seeking CWCF Board Candidates
There are two seats up for election at this AGM on the CWCF Board of Directors: Prairies, and one at-large. If your worker co-op or regional federation is a CWCF member and you are interested in running or would like to nominate another person, please contact one of the members of the Nominating Committee, CWCF BC Director Lee Fuge,leefuge@pacificcoast.net or Ontario Director Colin MacDougall, colin@lasiembra.com. We encourage worker co-ops in the Prairies region to strongly consider nominating a member since the Prairies seat is currently vacant, and there are not that many worker co-ops in the region.
Le français: Nous sommes désolés que l'information n'est pas disponible en français, et que l'interprétation simultanée n'est pas disponible au Congrès. Cependant, il y a des ateliers bilingues, et nous pourrions fournir un traducteur accompagnateur personnel au cas de besoin. Si vous êtes intéressé-e-s, faites une demande dans le processus d'inscription en ligne ou bien écrivez à hazel@canadianworker.coop.
In co-operation,
Hazel Corcoran, and
David Wilson
Add new comment