Saskatchewan, Canada, 2015-3-2 — /EPR Retail News/ — Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan’s Centre for the Study of Co-operatives are seeking the social and economic characteristics that allow co-operatives to thrive in a community. To do so, they’re hosting 40 community meetings over three months to gather input from residents and leaders.
The research is part of the Co-operative Innovation Project, which will explore co-operative development in rural and Aboriginal communities in Western Canada. The project was launched when Federated Co-operatives Limited invested $1 million on behalf of the Co-operative Retailing System in November 2013.
“Our research team is very excited to have an opportunity to come out and meet with such a wide variety of communities across western Canada,” said Darcy Overland, Research Manager, Co-operative Innovation Project.
“These meetings allow us to gather information directly from residents about the social and business environment in their communities, what needs their communities have, and the innovative ways communities have been meeting their needs. When we put the information from these conversations together with existing statistical data, it helps us create a clearer picture of what it may take to help existing co-operatives thrive and new co-operatives take root.”
The project is being led by the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives in partnership with the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, the International Centre for Northern Governance and Development, the Edwards School of Business and U.K.-based Plunkett Foundation.
The project aims to:
- Combine research, education and community engagement to determine the needs of rural and Aboriginal communities; and
- Determine if an innovative co-operative development model or alternate structure could provide a solution.
The schedule of community meetings will continue to be updated below. Participants receive a free dinner and are entered for door prizes, and pre-registrants are entered into a draw to win an iPad Mini.
For more information about the project, visit coopinnovation.wordpress.com. More information about FCL’s social responsibility efforts is also available in its 2013-14 Social Responsibility Report.
| Date | City | Location | Register |
| Jan. 23, 2015 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. |
Buffalo Narrows, SK | Buffalo Narrows Arena | dazawray.parker@usask.ca 306-966-2946 |
| Jan. 26, 2015 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. |
Bow Island, AB | Bow Island Legion | darcy.overland@usask.ca 306-966-8502 |
| Jan. 29, 2015 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. |
Rimbey, AB | Peter Lougheed Community Centre | rhiannon.klein@usask.ca 306-966-5844 |
| Feb. 16, 2015 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. |
Fruitvale, BC | Fruitvale Community Hall | darcy.overland@usask.ca 306-966-8502 |
| Feb. 17, 2015 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. |
Warfield, BC | Warfield Community Hall | darcy.overland@usask.ca 306-966-8502 |
| Feb. 17, 2015 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. |
Gillam, MB | Gillam Recreation Centre | rhiannon.klein@usask.ca 306-966-5844 |
| Feb. 18, 2015 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. |
New Denver, BC | Bosun Hall | darcy.overland@usask.ca 306-966-8502 |
| Feb. 18, 2015 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. |
Clinton, BC | Clinton Community Centre | dazawray.parker@usask.ca 306-966-2946 |
| Feb. 19, 2015 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. |
Cross Lake, MB | Cross Lake Community Council Office | rhiannon.klein@usask.ca 306-966-5844 |
| Feb. 26, 2015 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. |
Arborfield, SK | Arborfield Community Hall | darcy.overland@usask.ca 306-966-8502 |
| Mar. 4, 2015 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. |
Masset, BC | Howard Phillips Community Hall | rhiannon.klein@usask.ca 306-966-5844 |
| Mar. 11, 2015 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. |
Pinawa, MB | Pinawa Secondary School Multi-Purpose Room |
dazawray.parker@usask.ca 306-966-2946 |
| Mar. 24, 2015 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. |
Humboldt, SK | Humboldt Uniplex Meeting Room 3 |
kyle.white@usask.ca 306-966-8502 |