People and the Planet

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Building a Co-operative Commonwealth Presented to Sierra Club’s People and the Planet Conference, May 2004 By Hazel Corcoran and Greg O’Neill

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Group of Co-operative Activists Steering Committee Includes representatives from Canada, US and Spain (Mondragon) Goal is to promote and encourage the development of Co-operatives As a form of economic democracy As an alternative to Corporate Globalization To individuals and groups engaged in creating alternative solutions to problems created by the corporate agenda

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Co-operatives - A third way Local small scale democratic organizations Linked to regional, national and international networks An alternative to Liberal Capitalism and State Administration Not well known or understood

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Civilizing The Economy (pause to show 20-minute documentary) Produced by: Getaway Productions BC Co-op Assoc. Narrated by: Patrick Watson

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Sustaining Corporatism Role of Corporation is to maximize return to shareholders Consumerism Index of Consumer Confidence Wealth Creation Generation of artificial value by means of financial and investment instruments

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Corporate Economics Resource Extraction Creation of Synthetics Productivity Waste Output Environmental Impacts Gaps in Ecosystem Loss of Habitat Frankenfoods Durable waste Avoidance of Investment in Environmental Safeguards Local Toxic Impacts Climate Change

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea When Corporate and Environmental Values Collide Who wins? North Atlantic Cod Fishery Clear Cut Forestry Practices Non-renewable Energy Creation The Kyoto Accord

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea When Corporate and Environmental Values Collide Who wins? Why? The scale – size of corporations The Power – Influence on Government The Result – Lack of regulatory control legislation and international trade and investment agreements based on the lowest common denominator

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea The Corporate Approach to Self-regulation The financial bottom-line is paramount Create greater return to shareholders by reducing costs If this results in negative impacts (social, environmental, cultural, etc.),treat as externalities

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Co-op Definition A Co-operative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically –controlled enterprise.

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Co-op Principles Voluntary and Open Membership Member Democratic Control Member Economic Participation Autonomy and Independence Education, Training and Information Co-operation among Co-ops Concern for Community

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Individual Members Board of Directors Management and Staff Elect – One Member One Vote Hire and Set Policy Co-operative Organization

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Individual Co-ops 2nd Tier Co-operative Federations 3rd Tier or National Co-op Form Co-operatively owned service Federations Form National Co-operative Federations International Co-operatve Alliance Form International Co-operative Organization

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Types of Co-operatives: Agricultural Consumer Energy Financial (Credit Unions) Fishing Housing Multi-stakeholder New Generation Service (health care, day care, etc.) Worker

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Co-op Characteristics Purpose – To meet the needs of people Control – One member, one vote Profits – Distributed based on use of service (patronage) Externalities – Community ownership regulates impacts Corporate Characteristics Purpose – To make profits for shareholders Control – One share one vote Profits – Distributed based on shares Externalities – Dispersed ownership limits self-regulation

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Co-operatives In Canada CANADA HAS THE WORLD’S HIGHEST PER CAPITA MEMBERSHIP IN CREDIT UNIONS AND CAISSES POPULAIRES 33% of the Canadian population uses a credit union or caisse populaire as their primary financial institution. Eight of Canada’s largest co-operative insurance companies provide services to nearly 10 million policy holders. Credit unions consistently rank first among small business clients in terms of overall satisfaction. Outside of Quebec, 330 Canadian communities have a credit union as the only financial institution.

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Co-operatives In Canada CO-OPS ARE A MAJOR PART OF CANADA’S RURAL COMMUNITIES AND AGRICULTURE SECTOR There are over 1,200 agricultural co-operatives in Canada with a membership of 468,000 people. In 2000, total revenue from agricultural co-ops was $19.6 billion. Agricultural co-operatives employ over 36,000 people.

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Co-operatives In Canada CO-OPERATIVES ARE INVOLVED IN A DIVERSE RANGE OF RETAIL ACTIVITY FROM GROCERY STORES TO SPECIALTY OUTDOOR SPORTS EQUIPMENT Consumer co-ops reported assets of over $3 billion and total revenues of $8 billion in 2001. Calgary Co-op Association Ltd. is one of the largest consumer retail co-operatives in North America in terms of market share with nearly 40% of the local retail market. Mountain Equipment Co-op is Canada’s largest retailer of outdoor recreation gear and has over 1.8 million members.

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Examples of the 7th Principle “Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members”

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Examples of the 7th Principle Co-operatives in Canada have taken some significant steps towards engaging in the activities supporting environmental sustainability but major consumer Co-ops lag behind what Co-operatives in other countries are doing.

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Examples of the 7th Principle International UK Co-operative Group -The Co-operative Group employs over 70,000 people, operates more than 3,000 retail outlets, as well as online and 'business to business' operations, and in 2002 sales topped £7billion. “We recognise that all commercial activity has an impact on the environment, but we are determined to measure and to minimise the adverse effects of our activities while positively contributing to environmental improvement.” “In recognition of its customers' wishes, genetically modified products and ingredients have been removed from all Co-op Brand food products.”

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Examples of the 7th Principle International CONACADO was founded in the Dominican Republic in 1988 as a response to low global cocoa prices, and in order to assist small-scale cocoa farmers in improving their working and living conditions. Its aim is to generate work and income for disadvantaged groups in society, to decrease dependency on intermediaries by exporting products directly, and to offer technical assistance and credit to farmers to improve the quality of cocoa production. Cocoa is the main cash crop for CONACADO farmers, as it accounts for 90% of the farmer's income. Frequently, the income received from the export of their cocoa is below their costs of production. To improve farmers' standard of living, CONACADO cocoa is produced using organic agricultural techniques under the shade grown canopy of other fruit producing trees that provide extra income and food security for the farmers.

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Examples of the 7th Principle International La Siembra Co-op, a worker co-op in Ottawa which sells under the label “Cocoa Camino”, markets CONACADO cocoa in Canada.

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Examples of the 7th Principle In Canada Mountain Equipment Co-op Business Operations Sustainability “ Our goal at MEC is to reduce the ecological impact of running our business while increasing the positive impact we have on people and communities. “ Green Building Program Old Growth Free Policy Sustainability Policy Environment Fund

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Examples of the 7th Principle In Canada Petty Harbour Fishermen’s Co-op – In an effort to preserve the cod stocks on which the Co-operative depended, the members chose to use only hand lines to catch fish. The Co-op was able to successfully get a law gazetted by the Parliament of Canada outlawing the use of all other types of gear in waters adjacent to their community.

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Examples of the 7th Principle In Canada Eco-Lumber Co-op - a Richmond-based co-operative specializing in products from sustainably-managed B.C. forests. The Eco-Lumber Co-op received a strong launch when building design, construction and logging professionals joined to praise the new green initiative, funded jointly by conservation groups and social-leaning financial institutions. The co-op not only stocks eco-friendly forest products but its backers hope the Co-op will be a visible pressure point on British Columbia's large forest companies pushing them towards more eco-certified products and practices.

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Other Canadian examples: Toronto Windshare Co-op Car-sharing co-ops Sustainable Solutions Group – Sierra Youth Coalition

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea Why is there not more cross-fertilization between the co-op movement and the environmental movement? Most larger Canadian Co-operatives’ practices don’t reflect environmental values Co-op model is not well known or understood

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea What is the potential for co-operative environmentalism? It’s about telling a New Story: creating prosperity in a sustainable way, that benefits all in the community, and is owned and controlled locally, yet connected globally.

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea “This is the scenario, where the general rule is the growth of human unhappiness, hopelessness and lack of vision. Listen, hope is the fuel life. Without it, why would we go on? This lack of perspective leads to dissatisfaction and revolt, especially amongst those who have nothing to lose. In this dramatic scene that I have etched for you, co-operativism - this phenomena of the union of all human beings of all beliefs and colors - is fulfilling a wonderful role. In África, Eastern Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the rich countries of the EU and North America, the co-operatives are rejuvenating the basic values of equity, and re-building the social fabric worn away by the abyss between the classes. As quiet achievers, co-operatives have been generating jobs all over the world, fighting against social exclusion. They have also gathered together people that individually would be vulnerable, and transformed them in powerful unions, able to halt the concentration of wealth.” --Roberto Rodriguez, then President of the ICA, 1999

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea How do we realize the potential of co-operatives? Join & influence existing co-ops. Start new co-ops to meet new needs. Become a co-op developer.

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea How do we realize the potential of co-operatives? Join & influence existing co-ops. Find a Co-op near you Join the Co-op Attend the AGM Run for the Board of Directors

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea How do we realize the potential of co-operatives? Form a new Co-op At least 3 people with shared goals and common needs Business plan Incorporate the Association Help available through CDI

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The Big Idea How do we realize the potential of co-operatives? Become a co-op developer. Go to the Coady Institute or the Universite de Sherbrooke Take on-line courses offered by U Vic’s BC Institute for Co-op Studies Join a Co-op Developers’ Network

The Big Idea: 

The Big Idea www.canadianworker.coop (CWCF) www.coopzone.coop (CDI National Advisory Services) www.agr.gc.ca/policy/coop (CDI Innovations & Research)