Six Reasons Why You Should Start a Co-operative Business

1. Co-ops put people and values first Co-ops take an ethical and sustainable approach to business by considering both the economic as well as the social, cultural, and environmental impacts of their activities. Therefore, decisions made by co-ops balance the need for profitability with the needs of their members and wider community interests. 2. Co-ops … Continued

Speaker Series #3 – April 20 11:30am-12:30pm

Local Investment Solutions – information for Opportunity Development Co-ops or Investment Co-ops interested in raising capital The BC Co-op Association (BCCA), in collaboration with the Alberta Community & Co-operative Association (ACCA) is initiating this new project to enhance local investing across Western Canada. This project will develop a shared services approach to reduce transaction costs, … Continued

Co-operate Now: Co-op Development Bootcamp – March 2-5 in Nelson!

| Agriculture, Business, Community, Environment, Events

Are you part of a team interested in forming your own co-op? Join us for the next cohort of Co-operate Now: Co-op Development Bootcamp for entrepreneurs and community members ready to build their co-op enterprise. The spring session plans to be a primarily in-person affair, hosted by our friends at the Upper Columbia Co-op Council  in beautiful Nelson, BC from … Continued

February 24 Webinar – How the Co-op Model Serves Value-Add: A Dialogue

| Agriculture, Announcements, Business, Community

Join us for a lively tete-a-tete with Jennifer Walsh, Manager of the BC Food Hub Network in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries and Simona Caselli, Head of EU Affairs Legacoop Agri-food / National Association of Agri-food Cooperatives for Rural & Coastal Development. We’ll hear about the BC Food Hub Network’s mandate to increase … Continued

Government Relations – Gaining Traction

| Business, Government, Opportunities
Government Relations and BC Co-operatives

Through BCCA Government Relations efforts, BC co-ops are gaining traction with government decision-makers. On behalf of our members, we’ve secured several meetings over the last number of months with high-ranking elected officials and other policymakers to discuss how to create a legislative and social environment that allows co-operatives to thrive. Here are the areas that … Continued

Co-op Development Bootcamp Wraps Up

| Business, Community, Education
Co-op Development Bootcamp

The three-day Co-operate Now: Co-op Development Bootcamp spring session wraps up with great results.  Designed for entrepreneurs or community members interested in building a co-operative enterprise took place online on May 7, 8, and 9th. This cohort saw 22 participants from eight proposed co-ops, ranging in location from Golden to Gold River, Nelson, Vancouver and … Continued

BCCA Seeks Board Members

BCCA Seeks Board Members

BCCA Seeks Board Members… Are you passionate about the co-operative movement? Do you have ideas and experience that could help lead BCCA forward to its greatest potential? BCCA seeks board members… qualified individuals to serve on its board of directors -BCCA seeks board members… Do you have ideas and experience that could help lead BCCA … Continued

Co-operate Now: Co-op Development Bootcamp

Co-operate Now: Co-op Development Bootcamp

Co-operate Now: Co-op Development Bootcamp is for entrepreneurs or community members interested in building a co-operative enterprise next training session will begin on May 7. For a nominal fee, participants receive valuable information, guidance, support and gain access to the BCCA’s network of co-op leaders Plus, the Co-operate Now: Co-op Development Bootcamp sessions are now … Continued

Legal Support Gap for Co-operatives and Nonprofits Narrows in BC and Alberta

legal-support-gap-co-operatives-and-nonprofits-in-bc-and-alberta

The support gap has narrowed for co-operatives and nonprofits seeking social and corporately-aligned legal support in BC and Alberta, thanks to the establishment of the Community and Co‑operative Counsel (CCC).  The Community and Co‑operative Counsel teamed together in 2020 to provide legal and consulting services tailored to the specific and unique needs of the co-operative … Continued