National Association of Cooperatives Annual Conference

Posted by on March 01, 2010

Want to learn more about the broad spectrum of the cooperative movement in the U.S.?

Seeking to develop leadership skills and network with other emerging leaders in the cooperative business sector?

BUILDING A COOPERATIVE FUTURE

This May 3-6, NASCO will bring together a group of emerging leaders from all parts of the cooperative movement to learn more about the breadth and depth of cooperatives and cooperation. Participants will be drawn from all sectors, ranging from agricultural and housing co-ops to consumer co-ops and credit unions. Whether employees, directors, members, managers, or students, participants will gain a better understanding of the history, challenges, trends and opportunities in today’s cooperative movement.

The program this year will provide an in-depth look at the cooperative principles and practices that are the bedrock of the cooperative sector. Participants will receive a cooperative primer, which has been specially developed for the Emerging Co-op Leaders program. As a part of the program, we will also attend the annual conference and annual meeting of the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) (http://www.ncba.coop/coopeconomy/) and attend the induction ceremony for the National Cooperative Hall of Fame (http://www.cdf.coop/node/535). The annual meeting of the National Cooperative Bank (NCB) (http://www.ncb.coop/) will wind up the four days with a chance to learn about this dynamic financial
institution.

Please refer to the attached save-the-date and check online for more information.

http://www.nasco.coop/leaders/node/141

Registration for the program will open in mid-February.  Email questions to info@nasco.coop.

What you will learn
The program provides participants with opportunities to:

– meet and share information with people from all types of cooperatives
– learn more about marketing, financing and legislative issues
– find out about co-ops in different sectors
– learn about challenges that all types of co-ops have in common
– discuss the principles and practices that make cooperatives and credit unions successful
– learn about the International Cooperative Alliance and cooperatives world-wide, and discuss ways in which different types of co-ops can work together

Who Should Apply
The program is designed for employees, managers, or directors of any cooperative or credit union with an interest in learning more about co-ops. This year we are also inviting students in curriculums focusing on cooperatives to apply as well. Applicants must commit to a four day program, Tuesday evening through Friday noon. Join us if you are a:

– co-op leader interested in learning more about the broad spectrum of the cooperative movement
– co-op leader who enjoys meeting and networking with people from other co-ops
– person who wants to enhance their leadership skills, or
– student studying cooperatives and credit unions in baccalaureate or masters degree program
– participants from food co-ops

Past participants have included members, directors, managers and staff representatives of:

Food Cooperatives
Berkshire Cooperative Market (Great Barrington, MA), Berkshire Co-op Market (Pittsfield, MA), Ypsilanti Food Co-op (Ypsilanti, MI), Seward Co-op Grocery (Minneapolis, MN), Missoula Community Co-op/Mission Mountain Market (Ronan, MT), Food Conspiracy Co-op (Tucson, AZ), Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op (St. Paul, MN), East End Food Co-op (Pittsburgh, PA), Wheatsville Food Co-op (Austin, TX), French Broad Food Co-op (Asheville, NC)

Cooperative Associations
The Northwest Cooperative Development Center (Olympia, WA), North American Students of Cooperation, (Chicago, IL), Federation of Southern Cooperatives (Johns Island, SC), Federation of Southern Cooperatives (Marrero, LA), TheNorthwest Cooperative Development Center (Olympia, WA), Co-operative Housing
Federation of Canada (London, Ontario)

Housing Cooperatives
Inter-Cooperative Council at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI), Sasona Cooperative (Austin, TX), Ant Hill Cooperative (Rochester, NY), Nickel City Housing Co-op (Buffalo, NY), Bar Harbor Student Housing Co-op (Bar Harbor, ME), Urban Homesteading Assistance Board (Brooklyn, NY).

Credit Unions
Twin City Co-ops Federal Credit Union (Falcon Heights, MN), Twin City Co-ops Federal Credit Union (Blaine, MN), Missouri Farmers Union Credit Unions (Jefferson City, MO)

Agricultural Cooperatives
Indian Springs Farmers Cooperative (Petal, MS), Alaska Agricultural Co-op/National Farmers Union (Girdwood, AK), North Dakota Farmers Union (Jamestown, ND), South Rankin Farmers Cooperative (Pearl, MS), Missouri Farmers Union Family Farm Opportunity Center (Jefferson City, MO), Ohio Farmers Union (Oberlin, OH), North Delta Produce Growers (Marks, MS)

Other
Sligo Computer Services (Takoma Park, MD), South Plaquemines United Fisheries Cooperative (Port Sulphur, LA)