Announcing the first ever searchable database of Ontario co-ops, credit unions and caisses populaires

On Co-op launches first-ever online and searchable directory of co-ops, credit unions and caisses populaires operating in Ontario. We're calling it the e-directory.

Check it out at http://www.coopsontario.com .

The e-directory is publicly accessible and fully searchable by name, city, keyword and postal code. It features basic contact information and detailed descriptions. A handy feature is the ability to display a Google map for each location. E-mail addresses are never revealed, which helps eliminate spamming - instead a contact window appears, and a security code must be entered.

Government, the public and academics can use the e-directory to see what co-ops are in their community, what products or services are provided by co-ops, and to contact a co-op if they choose. The co-op sector, credit union system and co-operative champions can use the e-directory to find out more about their "co-op cousins".

We recommend every co-op, credit union and caisse populaire check its own listing as soon as possible, as well as search for other co-ops by city, keyword or name to understand how the e-directory works. We anticipate the directory will very quickly evolve into a central hub for accessing co-op information and we would like to ensure the best possible experience for anyone looking for co-op information.

*** PLEASE CHECK YOUR LISTING(s) FOR...

1. Contact information. Are the correct co-op name, address, phone (local and toll-free) and fax numbers displayed? Check to make sure the e-mail address and website links are valid and go to the correct person/department in your organization. Verify that the Google mapping function correctly identifies your address. If you have more than one location, check each one for accuracy.

2. Description. The keyword search looks here, as well as at your name. Words core to your business should be here (examples - fair trade, banking services, organic, dairy, housing, energy, child care, etc). This isn't a listing of all of your products, but allows people who view the description a useful glimpse into your business. The description field is 50 words maximum and must be in sentence/paragraph format.

3. Category. Confirm that your organization is listed in the correct category(s).

UPDATING THE INFORMATION...

1. INCOMPLETE, MISSING OR INCORRECT INFORMATION; ORGANIZATION NOT LISTED (INCLUDING MAIN, BRANCH OR SATELLITE OFFICES); OR ORGANIZATION TO BE REMOVED FROM THE LISTING: Click on the "Contact Us" button. One of the choices available from that screen is to update your information. Please provide us with all the details, including what should be changed. We will receive the message, confirm the information and make the changes to our database, generally within 1-2 business days. On Co-op has an e-directory review board to review each addition/deletion/change before it is uploaded to the e-directory to ensure we are adding the correct information.

2. If you have questions or suggestions about the e-directory program/interface itself, send your thoughts to us using the "Contact Us" button. We will continue to enhance the look and functionality of the e-directory over the next few weeks, and your input is important.

3. Where did the information initially come from? We've been updating our records for the last few months, and been checking other publicly available sources to make sure we haven't missed listing any co-operative, credit union or caisse populaire that is based in, or operates in, Ontario. IF WE HAVE, PLEASE LET US KNOW!!

On Co-op has created, and will operate and maintain the e-directory. As each co-op reviews and updates its information, the e-directory will become larger and even more accurate. Remember that there is no one organization or government agency in Ontario that has ever compiled this type of information on ALL of Ontario's co-operatives, credit unions and caisses populaires in one place before.

SPREAD THE WORD...

• Please forward this e-mail to others in your networks, and include the information in your print and electronic communications. The more people and organizations that know about the e-directory, the larger and more accurate it can become.

• Associations, federations and alliances are encouraged to send this message to all of their members so that as many individuals and organizations as possible can verify the directory information. If you operate an intranet, blog or RSS feed, consider placing a link to the e-directory there.

• Please include a link to the e-directory on your website (perhaps on your home page or co-op contacts/links page). You may use this text, or feel free to create your own:

Ontario is home to more than 1,300 credit unions, caisses populaires and co-operatives, operating in over 1,900 locations throughout the province. The Ontario Co-operative Association (On Co-op) maintains a searchable electronic database of Ontario's co-operatives, credit unions and caisses populaires at www.coopsontario.com.

NEXT STEPS

The co-op sector will have about a week to review and verify the information before the information goes to the media. We will be sending a press release to all major media, scheduled for the week of March 17th. At that time, we expect a great deal of interest from the public, including academics, government and others.

Visit www.coopsontario.com to access the e-directory. Please review your listing as soon as you can.

** Please forward to others in your network... including your board, staff, committee members, champions, supporters and friends. Co-operative information is best shared! If this message didn't come directly from On Co-op, you may be added to our e-newsletter distribution list by sending your contact information to Mark Ventry mventry@ontario.coop If you'd like to receive our printed mailings (sent January and September), please send us your mailing address.

SEC January Speakers' Series/Webcast - Mapping the Social Economy: Three Views

David Lasby of Imagine Canada will discuss the recently completed mapping of Ontario's social economy that combines nonprofits, co-operatives, credit unions, and other community organizations.

Using data taken from the first-ever census of Ontario co-ops, credit unions and caisses populaires, Mark Ventry from the Ontario Co-operative Association will discuss the social and economic impact of the province's co-op sector, what census information surprised On Co-op, and what the data confirmed.

Sherida Ryan of OISE/University of Toronto will discuss Ontario organizations that meet the broad definition applied to social economy enterprises and that rely on internet-based technology to achieve their organizational objectives, their similarities to traditional social economy enterprises, use of information technology and their understanding of an online social economy enterprise.

Wednesday, January 16, 2007, noon - 1:30 pm
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto
Room 12-199, 12th floor, 252 Bloor Street West, Toronto
This event will be simultaneously webcast (see our website for details).

For more information, see http://sec.oise.utoronto.ca/english/lectures.php

Beyond grey pinstripes: Rankings of socially conscious business schools

Beyond Grey Pinstripes is a research survey and alternative ranking of business schools that spotlights innovative full-time MBA programs leading the way in the integration of issues concerning social and environmental stewardship in to the curriculum. These schools are preparing students for the reality of tomorrow's markets by equipping them with the social, environmental and economic perspectives required for business success in a competitive and fast changing world.

The Global 100

The Beyond Grey Pinstripes ranking is the result of over 18 months of rigorous research- designing the survey, outreach to full-time MBA programs around the world, data collection and analysis- looking at how well MBA programs incorporate social and environmental issues into the training of future business leaders. Over 40,000 pages of data were analyzed to come up with the 100 top MBA programs.


http://www.beyondgreypinstripes.org/rankings/index.cfm

News: Credit Union Directors' Forum

Guelph ON, November 8, 2007 

More than 180 volunteer credit union directors from across Ontario attended the 23rd annual Directors’ Forum on November 2 and 3, 2007.  The conference explored the theme of ‘The Changing Landscape’ through seven sessions and workshops, including a joint keynote address by Walter Palmer, a spokesman for Al Gore’s The Climate Project, and Derek Gent of Vancity, the largest credit union in Canada.
 
The 2007 Directors’ Forum encouraged credit union boards of directors to go beyond traditional ways of thinking about their membership, their communities and their competition.  Dr. Thomas Homer-Dixon, author and director of the Trudeau Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (and professor of political science at the University of Toronto), challenged directors to explore the opportunities that will come from the growth, breakdown and renewal of society.  In other sessions, directors had the opportunity to learn more about: climate change; the adoption of sustainability as a core value; attracting and retaining members through customer relationship management software; the development of “green” financial products; and the status of the merger between Credit Union Central of Ontario and Credit Union Central of British Columbia.
 
Sessions were interactive and designed to stimulate debate and discussion between speakers and the audience. One director, from a southern-Ontario credit union, said the sessions were “very practical and useful.” Another participant commented that what she learned would enable her to “…challenge my board and management, and to think outside the traditional approach.”
 
The conference, hosted by the Credit Union Directors of Ontario (CUDO), and held in Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York hotel, attracted board and committee members from more than 60 credit unions, as well as credit union system supporters, regulators and affiliates, and guests from other provinces.
 
During the annual general meeting, Bruce Corbett, a member of the CUDO executive since 1989, announced his retirement.  The two openings on the executive were filled by newcomer Shari Sekel of PenFinancial Credit Union, and returning director Dave Sitaram from Auto Workers Community Credit Union.  The AGM also included a presentation by Eve Sigfrid, a director with the boards of both Credit Union Central of Ontario and FirstOntario Credit Union, on her recent trip to Uganda as a credit union “coach”, and recognition of the most recent graduates of the Credit Union Director Achievement program.
 
Many of the presentations given during the 23rd annual Directors’ Forum are available for download from the Directors’ Forum pages of the Ontario Co-operative Association at www.ontario.coop/Directors.
 
The annual Directors’ Forum provides Ontario credit union directors and other credit union system volunteers with education, training and networking opportunities.  It is presented by the Credit Union Directors of Ontario (CUDO), an independent organization representing the boards of directors of Ontario’s credit unions.  Ontario, Canadian and international credit union/caisses populaires directors and committee members are invited to attend the Directors’ Forum.  No affiliation with Credit Union Central of Ontario is required.
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mark Ventry, Member Services and Marketing Officer, Ontario Co-operative Association
Tel. 519.763.8271 x30 or 1.888.745.5521
www.ontario.coop/Directors