Mission, Vision & Values
The BC Co-op Association’s mission is to support co-operatives, educate the community, and advance the co-operative sector.
Vision
Our vision is to establish the BC Co-op Association (BCCA) as the knowledge and resource centre for co-ops in BC. Through our work, we advance a vision of a caring, creative and humane society, and a fair and innovative social economy.
- We actively convene knowledge exchange and mobilization among our members and stakeholders
- We increase awareness for the co-op sector through market, policy and governance research, to showcase and distribute the co-op value and difference to the marketplace
- We build a culture of mutual support, where members can contribute to the success of other members, and society can support all co-ops by being aware of their economic and community impacts, and actively choose co-op products and services
Values
To achieve our vision, we embrace international co-operative principles and focus our work around three strategic pillars:
1. Co-op Development & Support Services
- Act as the primary contact for co-ops and prospective co-ops to get the information and resources they need to go from incubating a co-op idea to incorporation and beyond
- Deliver well-defined, customized programs and services to BCCA members
- Use the BCCA website as a tool for self-directed learning, with a robust knowledge centre and exclusive tools, and a member directory to facilitate networking and support
2. Co-op Knowledge Mobilization
- Act as a proactive and professional knowledge convener and mobilizer by turning available research and information into an active asset of developmental value and business opportunity for the BCCA and its members
- Provide co-op education to youth and emerging leaders through the BCCA’s Co-ops in Schools (CIS) program, and increase sector awareness and knowledge among youth and educational institutions
- Become a co-op knowledge centre that actively researches relevant policies, regulations, market developments and co-op needs, and conveys, connects and mobilizes co-op sector stakeholders
3. Co-op Communications, Promotion and Advocacy
- Ensure British Columbians become more aware of the co-operative sector and its benefits to BC communities and economies
- Create strategic marketing, communications and advocacy campaigns that deliver a provincial co-op story and brand, raise the profile of co-ops and credit unions, and celebrate their successes
- Work collectively with co-ops, credit union and co-op sector stakeholders to identify strategic opportunities to liaise with governments and advocate for policy change and legislation to support the sector
Dedicated Board of Directors
BCCA board members are passionate co-op and credit union owners and stakeholders dedicated to elevating BC’s co-op sector.
Community Partnerships
We work with community partners to promote co-ops and integrate the co-op business model into local economies across BC.
Engaged Membership
Our membership reflects the diversity of BC’s co-op sector, from innovative start-ups to some of Canada’s largest and most established co-ops and credit unions.
