From
31 May to 2 June, co-operative business in British Columbia got
the chance to pool ideas and strengthen ties between co-ops during
British Columbia Institute for Co-operative Studies' 'Co-ops Mean
Business' conference. The conference's focus was to show that, in
addition to their general reputation for meeting social needs, co-operatives
are also a viable way of doing business. And do business they did.
Over 160 people, from a variety of different organisations and co-ops
were represented. The result was a beehive-or anthill, if you will-of
activity as conference attendees networked and worked off each others'
collective energy. The 19 workshops at the conference emphasised
the business focus, and were broken down into four groupings: 'Economic
Diversification,' 'The Co-operative Process,' 'The Business of Co-operatives,'
and 'Youth in Co-operatives.'
The roster of speakers and presenters boasted a large and diverse
group of people from across over Canada and into the United States.
The conference exemplified one of BCICS's primary goals-to bring
academics and non-academics together to discuss and argue co-operative
thought and practice. Thus academics, specialising in co-op management,
history, philosophy, and so on, shared ideas and experiences with
co-op managers, CEOs, co-operative and community economic development
professionals, co-op members and workers, and researchers.
As a result, attendees were faced with the sometimes difficult
decision of having to choose between workshops led by a forester
and a CED developer, or an academic and a wood co-op manager.
And because the conference attracted attendees from all over
the province, the conference offered these people a tremendous
opportunity to network and share stories and information.
The focus on business, however, did not mean it neglected a co-operative's
ability to consider 'multiple bottom lines.' The social benefits
of co-operatives, especially for people living with disabilities
and workers displaced due to economic 'restructuring,' was a topic
at the fore of discussion for the duration of the conference.
The conference opened with greetings from the Liberal MLA Ida
Chong. Ms. Chong assured the crowd that the new government remained
committed to fostering co-operative business. Dr. Martin Taylor,
Vice President of Research at the University, gave an opening
address to the conference. In his address, Dr. Taylor expressed
his appreciation for the work of the Institute and Dr. MacPherson.
The conference's keynote speakers included: Peter Robinson, CEO
of Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC); Dr. David Thompson, from the
University of California, Davis; Dr. Greg MacLeod, of the University
College Cape Breton; Dr. Daniel Côté, of l'Ecole des Hautes Études
Commerciales; and, Dr. Lou Hammond Ketilson, of the University
of Saskatchewan.
The conference was sponsored by the BC Institute for Co-operative
Studies and Canadian Co-operative Association-BC Region, with
support from the BC Ministry of Community Development, Cooperatives,
and Volunteers.
Community Futures Development Services, under the direction of
Sandra Mark, organised the conference. Other CFDC staff included:
Ellie Parks, Frank Moreland, Lorrie Carlson, and GUY.
