We recently welcomed two new members to the BCCA family: Shift Delivery and BC Craft Farmers Co-op. Shift Delivery is a worker-owned co-op located in East Vancouver. They specialized in “last mile” delivery services utilizing trikes, allowing them to utilize bike lanes and park and unload almost anywhere. They can haul up to 500 lbs and deliver … Continued
BCCA recently conducted a review of the Co-operate Now! program offered in partnership with Vancity. Our hope was to gather some insights into how we might improve it and better understand the impact of this popular three-day intensive co-op bootcamp. Co-operate Now! is the brainchild of Vancity’s Co-operative Portfolio Manager, Elvy DelBianco, and has resulted … Continued
BCCA is excited to announce we will be hosting a Grocery Co-op Meet-Up on September 21, at 6 pm! This event will be held on Zoom and will allow co-ops in the sector to convene, share ideas, ask questions, and participate in a facilitated discussion surrounding best practices. These sessions will be customized and will … Continued
By Madelyn Read Welcome to our series “We Are Co-ops” in which we profile our diverse membership and demonstrate the innovation the flexible co-op model supports and enables! BCCA had the chance to catch up with Lisa Giroday of Victory Gardens and learn about their resiliency and growth as a co-operative. Who and what is Victory Gardens? … Continued
Message from the Chair of the BCCA Board of Directors Dear valued members, On July 14, 2020, I was honoured to be part of an Economic Recovery Roundtable with Premier John Horgan on behalf of the BC Co-op Association. The Agenda focused on three key questions: The Impact of COVID-19 and initiatives the government can … Continued
On June 26, BCCA sent its submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services as part of the Budget 2021 Consultation. The document acknowledges the challenges BC has faced with the global pandemic and the economic downturn, and how co-ops are at the forefront of these challenges. The recommendations in the submission outline how … Continued
BCCA is excited to announce our new Co-op Governance Workshops! Designed for intact co-op boards, these interactive 90 minute live virtual workshops focus on the following leadership elements: Co-op Models Hallmarks of Effective Governance Board Decision-Making Board Responsibilities Board Challenges, Pitfalls and Mitigation Ideal for board chairs, board committees and board directors, the sessions include pre-workshop consultation for customization and to identify key issues and questions and ensures time for … Continued
On June 1, 2020, the BC Securities Commission made an important change to BC Instrument 45-530, which allows BC co-operatives to sell shares to members without issuing a prospectus. The lifetime limit had been $5,000 since this exemption was introduced in 2001. The new maximum of $10,000 also applies to certain issuances of investment shares. … Continued
By Madelyn Read Brave is a multi-stakeholder co-operative based in Vancouver whose mission is to reduce overdose deaths. They accomplish this by developing technologies that enable drug users to connect with support when they are at risk of an overdose: Brave Button, an emergency alert button often placed in supportive housing units Be Safe App, … Continued
Back in April, B.C.’s Ministry of Finance issued Ministerial Order 116 to allow co-operative associations to hold their AGMs as fully electronic meetings during the COVID-19 state of emergency. The Ministry is evaluating whether this should be a permanent option and we’re looking for your feedback to help inform this decision. Please complete this short survey by … Continued