BC Institute for Cooperative Studies

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BC Institute for Co-operative Studies
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BCICS

• Purpose
• to understand how the co-operative model
  functions within different contexts, and
• to assess the contribution co-ops make to
  empowering people and communities in meeting
  their economic and social needs and controlling
  forces that impact their lives.

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BCICS Research

• Situating Co-ops The Galleria
• Co-operatives in the New Economy
• Best Practices
• Co-ops and Peace

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Situating Co-ops The Galleria

• Community Map Case Studies
• Region (overview, case studies, active co-ops)
• Sector
• Theme
• Time line

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Co-operatives in the New Economy

• Began in 2002 gathered information over 4 years
  
• Examine the factors (positive and negative) that
  impact the success of new co-operative (formative
  stage) in rural and remote communities in BC

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Co-operatives in the New Economy

• Field work Nelson, Malcolm Island, Salt Spring
• 7 co-ops and 2 federations followed in-depth over
  the course of 3 years
• Several visits to Malcolm Island, 2 visits to
  Nelson area, Salt Spring in one summer

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Co-operatives in the New Economy

• Malcolm Island Shellfish Co-op, Wild Island Foods
• Harrop-Procter Forestry Co-op, Community First
  Health Co-op, Kootenay Woodvine, BCWood Co-op
• Growing Circle Food Co-op
• Of the co-ops we followed 4 still active, 3
  folded, 1 looking in corporate model

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Co-operatives in the New Economy

• Wild Island Food Co-op
• Community survey economic alternatives
• Over 350,000 govt funds to start up
• Four levels of shares
• In 3 years created 27 jobs (some short term)
• In 3 years spent over 50,000 at Co-op Store
• investment a way to make something positive
  happen in a community that has and will
  continue to rise to every occasion.

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Co-operatives in the New Economy

• Community First Health Co-op
• Began in 2002 after loss of local health services
• Develop a long term wellness blueprint for a
  healthier community
• Research Health Care Co-ops most cost effective
  model better health outcomes (focus on wellness
  and prevention)
• 2006 purchased building - Credit Union donated
  200,000
• Over 1400 members - some corporate members

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Co-operatives in the New Economy

• Prominent inhibiting factors
• Lack of start-up capital
• Over regulation of government
• Members lack of, how to expand, member
  education, burn-out
• Board development Governance,
• Declining population
• Adapting to changes in sector market

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Co-operatives in the New Economy

• Prominent Supportive Factors
• Initial start up funding
• Support with training, business plans, co-op
  development
• Connections - other co-ops to community
• Resiliency of people and communities to respond
  to changes, to keep going when future bleak,
  their commitment to carving out a future that
  continues to reflect their community and their
  values

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Best Practices in Co-op Development

• Began fall of 2005 - 18 month project
• Best Effective Successful practices in
  starting co-operatives
• Insights of experienced co-op developers
• What are the crucial issues?
• What factors affect the success of new co-ops?

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Co-operatives and Peace

• June 18-20, BCICS hosted international
  conference Co-operatives and the Pursuit of
  Peace.
• To identify ways co-operatives can more
  effectively contribute to peace building at the
  local, regional, and international levels.

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BCICS RESEARCH, EDUCATION, RESOURCES

• Develop educational tools and resources
• Publications, Articles, Videos
• On-line resources (CLC)
• Promotion
• Presentations, Workshops, Seminars
• Continue to be a catalyst for research, learning
  and teaching linking co-operative thought and
  practice.

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Thank You For more information email
joybcics_at_uvic.ca

• The only thing that will redeem humankind is
  co-operation.
• Bertrand Russell, 1872-1970 (Philosopher,
  Mathematician, Essayist)