News

Contract work with the government of Vanuatu which commenced in October of 2021 is now continuing into 2022.  The work involves policy and planning work for the Office of the Registrar of Cooperatives and Business Development Services, and includes consultations with various government ministries and stakeholders, as well as with the country's co-operative leaders and managers.  The deliverable to be provided is a detailed policy roadmap and implementation plan for co-operative development across Vanuatu over the coming four years. 

Unlike similar work which I did in person in 2017, this work is all being performed remotely. 

Vanuatu is a beautiful island country located east of Australia and north of New Zealand.

The project is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2022. 

Terry 

It is with great sadness that I must report my friend and long time work colleague of many years passed away in the early morning of September 24, 2021.  

I have worked with, and for Greg, for much of my lifetime.  Greg and I co-authored the text "Co-operative Enterprise Building a Better World" together with Professor Ian McPherson back in 2014.  Greg also assisted me with helpful advice during a recent co-operative project in Vanuatu, which is a small country in the south west Pacific. 

My your soul rest in peace my friend,

Terry 

The latest issue of the ICA’s Coop Insider newsletter, which looks at cooperative answers to COVID-19, is now available in three languages.  Click the link following to read multiple sources: ICA Insiders Special Edition

As is the tradition within cooperative systems around the world, when the going gets tough, then the tough get going.  So why was I not surprised to find things happening just below the surface in the co-operative world, that confirm what I had hoped and I suspected might be the case, all along.

Many Co-operatives Around the World Are Shining!

Sure like many others enterprises some are struggling to survive. However the survey by ICA illustrates that co-operatives are leaning in, learning, and doing their part in caring fo, and supporting their members, and their communities, just as much as they are able, all around the globe. Could there really be a better time to use some of  the financial and social capital, accumulated over the years, to support those who contributed, and who at this time also need it most. 

So please see for yourself what many co-operatives around the world are up to in dealing with covid19 and its fall out:   https://www.ica.coop/en/ica-member-response

Please stay safe! 

For the latest co-operative happenings click on this link to visit the International Co-operative Alliance news page: https://www.ica.coop/en/newsroom/news .

At our annual meeting in the summer of 2017, the Board of Directors felt that the work of the co-operative had been achieved. While individual members still intend to be involved in various ways in international co-operative development, we concluded that the need to do so within a formal co-operative entity no longer was needed.

A resolution to wind-up the co-operative as soon as might be practical was passed at the 2017 annual meeting. We are now in the process of doing so, and have submitted our resolution to wind-up the co-operative to the appropriate government authority indicating our intentions.

Accordingly effective March 31, 2018 we have ended operating as a federally registered co-operative. We will undertake to provide further details to all supporters and to others interested in our work by email as soon as possible.

Around the world co-operative enterprises gather to celebrate their achievements every July 2nd, as International Credit Union Day. 

This year the International Co-operative Alliance is inviting all co-operatives from around the world to celebrate by pledging individual efforts towards the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

You may see the July 2nd video announcement here and read about how as a co-operative your organization can take action towards the achievement of specific goals here.

Happy International Credit Union Day!

Terry

A 35 YEARS Plus RE-UNION and RE-CONNECT EVENT OF York University (Faculty of Environmental Studies) - Co-operative Management  Students and Friends from 1979 thru 1987 was held on Sunday June 12, 2016    5:00 pm – 8:00 pm CST at the Twisted Vine Restaurant, Regina, SK Canada and live on the internet via Skype.

Master of the Environment (ME): The Honorable William Dinu, MES

Attendees included:

Brain Smith and guest, Bill Dinu and guest, Jo-Anne Ferguson and guest, Sandi Bergen, Duane Bristow, and Terry MacDonald and guest.  Anita McBride, Murray Gardiner and Jack Craig joined in via Skype.

Written updates and greetings were also received from:

Fred Clark, Fred Carden, Sherill Carden, Simon Owens, Bob Luker, Janice Cannon (Shahsavar), Suleman Chambo, Bonnie Rose, John Jordan, and Glen Taylor

The evening began with an informal reception complete with finger food and refreshments, followed by a delicious meal.   This was a chance for those present to renew old friendships and rekindle past memories.

We also spent time toasting Fred Carden on his birthday today, and even managed a Happy Birthday chorus for Murray Gardiner whilst he was connected online from the Toronto area.  At the same time, we were also able to link in Anita McBride, and a little later on with Jack Craig via Skype.

Just prior to the meal we remembered with a moment of silence those faculty friends and alumnus who had passed and were no longer with us. They included:

Ramadhan Megjhi, Moshi, Tanznaia 

Dick Hatlelid, Kelowna, BC

Al MacIntosh, Ottawa, ON

Prof. Michel Chevalier, Montreal, QC and

Stephan Haley, Atlantic Canada

As we began our meal, the ME asked the question as to how our experiences at York FES had influenced our lives. There were many different responses. While some had moved into related fields of study and work, everyone agreed that being in the Faculty of Environmental Studies and the Co-operative Module had significantly affected each of our lives in important ways. It also had long term impacts on our respective organizations and across the Canadian and African co-operative movements. Incidentally this theme pervades many of the updates we have received from many of our alumnus.

During dinner, after a glass of wine or two our round table touched discussion touched on our personal lives, but then turned to a group discussion of global economic issues, the state of the US political systems & democracy, radicalism and terrorism, the life-long pleasure of learning, and the applicability of systems thinking to understanding conditions today, to name but a few.  Given our co-operative backgrounds and our interests we also discussed the importance and the value of co-operatives in the world today.  The question was asked (but perhaps not fully answered) – “What, if anything, might be done to help change the fact that an ever smaller percentage of the world’s population is controlling more and more of the world's wealth?”  We also talked about the social economy and changing attitudes especially on the part of those in younger than ourselves.

As we were wrapping up, the concept of a one world credit union was tossed around. Please see the link to an interesting video by one of our alumni, Murray Gardiner, explaining the concept.

The idea of meeting again in the not too distant future was posited to the group.  Perhaps annually.  Some members of the group agreed that they would like to stay in connect with other group members.  I agreed and indicated we could use our co-operative’s (Global Co-operative Development Group Inc.) website blog

(www.co-operativeenterprise.coop) as one way of doing so. The idea of meeting again in a year (instead of every 10 - 15 years) to carry on around some of the same topics received some interest.  I’ve included everyone’s email address in the personal updates provided, in case you wish to contact particular persons directly.   There even seemed to be interest in holding a gathering in Mexico this coming winter!

Anyway after a couple of glasses of red wine... it turned out to be quite a 'hoot' as one might alumni and friend I know used to say! 

Our gathering ended around 8:00 pm with best wishes shared by everyone, and a promise on my part to send final complete set of materials to everyone.  This is being done via private email to all participants.  An open “York University Co-operative Alumnus Discussion” thread has also been included within our website blog so that folks who may wish to can add further comments or discussion.   

My sincere thanks to everyone for contributing and for making the event the success that it was.

Terry MacDonald, MES

terry.macdonald@co-operativeenterprise.coop

Work is continuing on defining particulars for an new and exciting global co-operative coaching and mentoring program. 

We are seeking partnerships with co-operative organizations as well as with persons may already be providing such similar or ancillary services.

You will notice a new SERVICES menu item has been added to our existing website.  Most of the items required for the coaching and mentoring program are under construction at this time.  You can download an early draft of our coaching / mentoring profile application form from the Services menu -> Coaching and Mentoring - > Becoming Involved page. 

Please check back within the next month for further details.  Or if you are prefer drop us an email or leave us a phone message using our Contact Menu item.

On April 5th Terry MacDonald, Managing Director of GCDG, gave a short presentation followed by questions and answers to members of the Rotary Club of Ajijic. The Rotary Club of Ajijic is one of only a few English speaking Rotary clubs in Mexico. 

Terry's presentation explained why co-operatives exist, how they are unique, and included many examples of successful co-operative enterprise around the world and in Mexico. The presentation was well received with many good questions asked following the presentation, and also following the meeting.

Terry wishes to thank the club executive for giving him the opportunity to address club members on the topic of Co-operative Enterprise.    A copy of his presentation may be download here: