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The Co-op Advantage Building Better Communities

The Co-op Advantage Building Better Communities. Mark Ventry, Ontario Co-operative Association. So what is a Co-operative ?. Also known as a “Co-op” H as NOTHING to do with school co-op placements!

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The Co-op Advantage Building Better Communities

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  1. The Co-op AdvantageBuilding Better Communities Mark Ventry, Ontario Co-operative Association

  2. So what is a Co-operative? • Also known as a “Co-op” • Has NOTHING to do with school co-op placements! • A 160-year old business model that has similarities to both not-for-profit organizations and private businesses! • Co-ops are all about: Collaboration overCompetition Communities Sustainability LocalBusinesses Fair Trade Social Justice & Responsibility TRUST

  3. So what is a Co-operative? • Member-owned business; primary purpose is to meet the needs of members. • Legally incorporated social enterprise; used to solve problems or seize opportunities at a community level • Democratic: one member, one vote. • Concerned with the TRIPLE bottom line: Social, Economic, and Environmental Responsibility. • An internationally-utilized business model that is guided by a set of Seven Key Principles.

  4. CO-OPERATIVES Exist to meet needs of members Accountable to members Surplus distributed to members One member one vote Board represents members; directors must be members Shares generally not traded BUSINESS CORPORATIONS • Exist to maximize shareholders’ “return on Investment” (ROI) • Accountable to shareholders • Unlimited return on shareholders’ capital • Vote based on number of shares held • Board represents shareholders; director may not be shareholder • Shares may be traded Co-ops & Business Corporations

  5. Aron Theatre Co-operative Spotlight on Community Revitalization • Community Succession Planning: Current owner was retiring -- leaving an empty building downtown • Campbellford would lose an economic, social and cultural centre (nearest theatre 50km away) • Co-op bought theatre for $200k; has almost 500 members • Hands-on board has a diverse range of skills and experience including business, marketing, finance, publishing, songwriting & strong ties to the community Other types of succession planning: employees buy-out their small business owner and form a Worker Co-op

  6. River Village Co-operative Market Keeping the heart of the village alive • Chain grocery store closed in 2006; closest one 20 min. away • Community pledged $250k; formed co-op & bought store • 250+ members ownand control the primary source of needed groceries in their community • Maintained jobs; keeps money within Teeswater – not just about profits for one business • Provides a sustainable community and a source of pride • Challenges: lure of big box stores out of town; stock levels Triple bottom line: Economic, Social, and Environmental; not just about the highest profits possible

  7. Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Power to the farmers through a producer co-op • Producer co-operative formed in 1958 • Democratic Control: Owned and operated by its 3,800 members; who are represented by 60 delegates and 10 directors • Profit Sharing: Over $50million to members since 1958 • Manufacturing includes milk, dips, butter, sour cream, whipped cream, and cottage cheese • Purchase Gay Lea products at member cost through Gay Lea facilities Co-op structure is an Inverted pyramid: member-owners elect board of directors; board hires CEO , who runs company on their behalf

  8. LIFE Co-operative • Pursuing renewable energy at a community level • A renewable energy co-operative formed to find community solutions to reduce the dependency on non-renewable resources • Developing community-owned solar and wind projects in Waterloo Region and beyond, under Ontario's Feed-in Tariff program • Members are also investors who assist in providing capital for solar and wind projects • Looking ahead to a 2MW wind project in St. Agatha in 2013 Communities and businesses get extra “points” from the OEB by partnering with a co-op under the FIT rules

  9. Eat Local Sudbury Co-operative Connecting eaters and producers • Not-for-profit co-op created in 2007 • A grocery store and distributor linking local farmers/producers miles with member-owners in the community • Food is primarily from within 150 miles, reducing “food miles” travelled and supporting a sustainable local food system keeping money within the community • Profits are reinvested in the store; also provides support for local food programming More than twice the number of co-operatives survive after 10 years in business compared to other biz.types

  10. From the UN’s Secretary General: • “Co-operatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility” • Ban Ki-moon

  11. Mark Ventry Executive Director, Ontario Co-operative Association mventry@ontario.coop 519.763.8271 x30 www.ontario.coop

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