Co-ops in the News

After a flurry of activity in the weeks preceding Christmas, BCCA launched the Co-operative Career Intern Program with placements of seven young interns. This is a new program that is offered exclusively to BCCA members and in this, our first year, the program is off to a strong start. A two-day orientation session was held on Jan. 28^th and 29^th for all our new interns to prepare them for their placements within their host organizations and topics included Goal Setting, Types of Co-op Models, The Economics of Co-ops, and The History and Philosophy of Co-ops.

If so, you may be interested in connecting with the business group, Parkes & Company Ltd., or a similar enterprise.  

According to a note I've received, Parkes & Company specializes in appraising complex commercial properties and property assessment appeals. The note states that the Company won a precedent-setting assessment appeal in July 2009 that "affects every share co-op in the province." 

Quoting further from the note:

BCCA staff are hopeful that the results of the July, 2009, ICP competition will be announced by the Minister by 18 January, and perhaps earlier.

Rick Marcuse

BCCA is proud to announce our Cooperative Career Internship Program!

The BCCA has a long history of supporting youth in BC through various programs and networks. Our new youth-based initiative is supported by Service Canada, and facilitates the placement of 8 youth with post-secondary degrees in cooperative member organizations for a 21-week paid internship. In addition to the placement, all the interns will take part in a 2-day Employment and Career Skills workshop, featuring guest speakers from the BC cooperative movement and skills development sessions.

Update on the Innovative Co-operative Projects Program of CDI

We do not yet have information on the results of the first round of the ICP competition – the file is still with the Minister.