Members of a rural community unite to provide financial services to the region when the traditional institutions have already packed up and left. Farmers collaborate to provide the county with natural, organic and local foods and products. Parents work together to provide their children with meaningful child care aimed at continuously improving the physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth and development of their children.

This is the co-operative sector in Ontario. It holds a significant presence in the province and brings people together to leave a lasting mark in communities, sectors and most importantly, the people who devote their lives to helping build this movement. With more than 800 million people involved in co-operatives around the world and 1.4 million members in Ontario alone, the co-operative sector has defined itself as a sustainable, unique form of business enterprise that has an important role to play in our economy and in our society.

The United Nations has declared 2012 the International Year of Co-operatives and the message to governments is clear: help create a supportive environment for the development of co-operatives. On October 6th 2011, we will have the opportunity to ask our elected officials and nominated candidates to take a stand and make a difference for Ontario co-ops!   

To help support this initiative, On Co-op has officially launched our new Co-op Advocacy Centre where you can learn how you can get involved in our advocacy efforts, access resources and tools, discover the other co-operatives in your riding, and join our E-advocacy campaign! 

No matter what your comfort level and availability, there is a task that you can do to promote co-ops to our public policy makers. Let’s stand up in co-operation and have ONE VOICE – it’s time our government heard us!

If you have any questions about On Co-ops advocacy work, please contact Paul Skinner or Audrey Aczel at the Ontario Co-operative Association or give us a call at the office at 519.763.8271. 

Guest Blogger: Paul Skinner, Government Relations Coordinator, Ontario Co-operative Association

This year’s Leading Edge Summit will include an evening networking and storytelling event featuring real stories of community change in rural Ontario. Powered by PechaKucha, Stories of Change presentations will use the 20x20 format – 20 slides and 20 seconds per slide. This fast-paced and energizing format will leave you entertained and inspired with real-life initiatives and great examples of action that have truly made a difference in the community. 

Please consider joining us at the Stories of Change event and the entire Leading Edge Summit.  If you think that you have a great story of community change in rural Ontario and would like to take part as a speaker in Stories of Change, please apply by sending an email to Alicia at aevans@ruralontarioinstitute.ca.  Briefly outline your story and why it would be great for others to hear it.  Applications will be accepted until September 19, 2011.

Alicia Evans, Project Manager – Leadership Programs

The School of Environmental Design and Rural Development has a new Director, Professor Dr. Wayne Caldwell.  This news was received at the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) with a great deal of satisfaction and hopeful anticipation of ongoing collaboration since Dr. Caldwell is a dedicated supporter of ROI and a long-standing contributor to the success of one of our two founding organizations, The Ontario Rural Council (TORC).  As Dr. Caldwell puts it, "The School of Environmental Design and Rural Development shares so much in common with the Rural Ontario Institute: our joint interest in healthy local economies, protection of the rural environment and quality services for rural residents.  We look forward to exploring these issues with our colleagues at ROI."

Congratulations Wayne!