The Co-operative Difference & How to Measure it

Why, how, what

Why should we be defining our difference?Mike Robitaille, Isaac Reputation Group

How can we measure it?Fiona Duguid, CEARC, Saint Mary’s University

What can we do to strengthen it?Erin Morgan, Ontario Co-operative Association

OCA Annual General Meeting 2018

How can OCA help strengthen your co-operative?

OCA Annual General Meeting 2018

Erin Morgan & Jennifer Ross, Ontario Co-operative Association

Supporting, developing, educating & advocating

OCA wants communities to grow and thrive.

We believe the co-operative model has a significant role to play in business innovation, creating stronger

and more vibrant local economies, increasing community engagement and building a more

sustainable social economy overall.

OCA Annual General Meeting 2018

Voluntary and Open MembershipOpen to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the

responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

• Bylaw and Policy review, examples and edits

• Financial discrimination

• Outreach to diverse communities

OCA Annual General Meeting 2018

Principle One:

Democratic ControlMembers have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and actively

participate in setting policies and making decisions.

• AGM and Election planning services

• Tips on Electronic voting software and processes

• Workshops on Member Engagement

• How to have/run effective committees

• Inspiring stories

• Creative problem solving and solutions for engagement

• Active participation is a challenge, how can we help?

• Expand participation in AGMs

• Innovative and cutting edge tools

• How do you get people engaged and motivated

• Directors take ownership over attendance

• Locations close to members

• Relevant speakers and trade shows

• Fun AGM?

• Timing can be an issues for meetings

• Issues that will encourage engagement

OCA Annual General Meeting 2018

Principle Two:

Member Economic ParticipationMembers contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their

co-operative.

• Access to Co-operative Financial Management experts

• Connect with appropriate credit unions and service providers

• Examples of other co-operatives and where/how they spend their reserves, access capital, manage capital, etc.

• Advocacy

• Build awareness of CCIF

• CU involvement in CCIF

OCA Annual General Meeting 2018

Principle Three:

Autonomy and IndependenceCo-operatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their

members.

• Connect with appropriate service providers

• Member responsibility – Co-ops 101 educational tools

• Board governance training

• How to remain autonomous when government is involved

• Members education to solve problems internally

OCA Annual General Meeting 2018

Principle Four:

Education, Training and InformationCo-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected

representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public -

particularly young people and opinion leaders - about the nature and benefits of co-operation.

• Workshops on various topics

• Sector caucuses to share best practices and innovative ideas

• Regional networks and meetings

• Co-ops 101 workshops and online tool

• Best practices seminar series

• PR Plan

• CYL & All 4 Each

• Shared messaging

• Peer to peer connections within organizations and between organizations, face to face and online

• Inspiring stories

• AGE – www.ed.coop

OCA Annual General Meeting 2018

Principle Five:

Co-operation Among Co-operativesCo-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-

operative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

• Sector caucuses to share best practices and collaborate to create new opportunities

• Development and support of Regional Networks

• Online e-Directory listing of all co-operatives in Ontario

• Networking Events (Directors’ Forum, AGM, Provincial Conference)

• Connections made to meet the individual needs of members

• Procurement from other co-ops (listing of products and services)

OCA Annual General Meeting 2018

Principle Six:

Concern for CommunityCo-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities

through policies approved by their members.

• Advocacy• CYL and All 4 Each• Sector caucuses collaborating to meet community needs• Co-operative connections to address community issues• Partnership with likeminded organizations• Belonging – pilot project with public health to enhance

sense of belonging• Help other organization meet their objectives through

co-operation

OCA Annual General Meeting 2018

Principle Seven:

The Co-operative Difference & How to Measure it