IYC Task Force Meeting
December 6, 2011
In person at the On Co-op offices in Guelph, and via teleconference
1.30PM – 2.30PM
Attendee List: Mark Ventry - On Co-op; Audrey Aczel - On Co-op; Linda Nadeau -The Co-operators;
John Richmond – West End Food Co-op; Mario Silvestre – The Co-operators; Donna Balkan – CCA;
Melissa Barbosa – TREC; Cynthia Mitchell – LSM Services; Lori Simpson - LSM Services; Tara
Thornton – Prosperity One Credit Union; Florence Carbray– CECO cluster; Art Chamberlain – Central
1; Usef – Mornington Communications; Tanya Gracie– CCA; Simon Swail– CHF Canada, Ontario
region; Jesse Ryan – ONFC; Crystal Provancher – Sudbury Credit Union; Shoshanna Seefieldt – ONFC;
Roméo Cormier, Co-op Atlantic; Jennifer Ross – On Co-op
1.
PROVINCIAL BILLBOARD CAMPAIGN.
Mark updated the group on the provincial co-op awareness billboard campaign that will launch
in many communities in Ontario at the end of 2011. Through a group media buy, On Co-op is
funding more than 20 billboards with the message “XXX’s YY co-operatives build a better
community. (Where XXX = city and YY = number of co-ops in that region, for example, Ottawa’s
128 co-operatives build a better community). Most of the billboards will be up for 4 weeks,
right at the start of IYC 2012.
DON’T SEE YOUR CITY LISTED BELOW? Co-ops, credit unions and clusters can still take part in
the program by sponsoring a generic city board, co-brand a board with their logo, or provide
funds to extend the time the sign is displayed. If your city is not listed below, you can still have a
sign if your organization or cluster is able to fund it – On Co-op’s group buy makes a billboard
surprisingly affordable. There are still a few days to take part in this program– contact Mark
Ventry if you’re interested. (And remember that co-ops and clusters may apply for a rebate on
eligible IYC expenses, including the billboard campaign.)
An updated list of the locations receiving billboards (as of Dec 13) is listed below. A copy of the
actual billboard design and other details of the campaign are posted to:
http://www.ontario.coop/all_about_cooperatives/2012_the_international_year_of_cooperative
s/iyc_2012_get_involved/ontario_cooperatives_billboard_awareness_campaign
2.
Plans for the Canadian launch of IYC on January 12, 2012
Tanya Gracie updated the group on plans for the Canada-wide launch of IYC. National
celebrations will take place in Ottawa, and will include speeches, entertainment, and a surprise
guest. Part of the celebrations will be broadcast, and anyone with a computer and a link to the
website will be able to watch.
Excitement in celebrating on January 12th has spread beyond Canada. Portugal, Ecuador, Chile,
and the UK have expressed interest in doing something on this day, too. Information on
celebrations across the country has been posted to www.canada2012.coop, with specific Jan. 12
information at this link: http://www.canada2012.coop/en/get_involved/be-a-part-of-thecanada-2012-launch
All together 12 regions across Canada will be launching IYC through a variety of events. Audrey
Aczel described the Ontario celebrations, being held in Guelph. On Co-op, which launched IYC in
Ontario with some fanfare during the Co-op Gala October 19, has arranged a flag raising
ceremony at Guelph city hall, followed by a casual reception featuring hot chocolate from Planet
Bean. Everyone in the province is invited to attend the flag-raising. No RSVP is required.
A small celebration will be held immediately after, but due to space requirements it will be an
invitation-only event.
A simulcast will take place at 12.30pm on the 12th, featuring celebrations and entertainment
from Ottawa, and all regions will be tuning in to watch. Co-ops that won’t be attending the
Guelph or Ottawa events are encouraged to tune into the broadcast, and to contact other local
co-ops & credit unions and make a party of it.
3.
Update on the formation of co-op clusters and networks
Early in November, Mark Ventry personally emailed one key contact at every co-op and credit
union in the province and provided them with the names and basic contact details of the other
co-ops and credit unions in their county, city or region. Co-ops getting to know each other
better is one of the goals of IYC in Ontario.
The feedback from the communications blitz was very positive, with many co-ops expressing
surprise at the number and types of co-ops in their area, and vowing to contact at least a few of
them. Anyone wishing a list of the co-ops and credit unions in their area, or near their other
branches, should contact Mark by email and he will forward the list(s).
Clusters currently known to On Co-op are: Central Ontario Cluster (K-W, Brant, Guelph,
Cambridge), Guelph Co-op Network, Ottawa and Sudbury. Interest has been expressed in
Kingston, Peterborough and Peel/Halton. The Ottawa cluster has been very active, holding and
planning meetings, as well as public events. CECO is working on getting funding for a Christmas
parade float for 2012, which they may make available to other clusters. Guelph Co-op Network
has arranged a banner to be hung over a prominent railway overpass in the city, and is
investigating flags or banners on street lights in the downtown core. Sudbury Credit Union is
working with Northridge Savings to co-brand and co-sponsor a billboard sign in the city for one
month.
Co-ops wanting assistance in forming or investigating a co-op cluster should contact Mark, who
can also link up clusters to provide assistance and coaching to each other.
4. Launch of the IYC subsidy and rebate program beginning January, 2012.
LINK TO IYC SUBSIDY POLICY AND APPLICATION HERE
Mark reminded the group of the On Co-op IYC subsidy and rebate program where up to $150 of
eligible IYC expenses can be returned to Ontario co-ops and clusters. The program launches
January 1, and runs til December 31, or until the fund runs out. While targeted at smaller and
less resourced co-ops and credit unions, as well as known co-op clusters, all Ontario-based coops and credit unions may apply. The link above downloads a document explaining the subsidy
and describing the policy, with the application form on the last page. If that link does not work,
the policy, application form and photo release form can be accessed from the ‘related
documents’ links on this page:
http://www.ontario.coop/all_about_cooperatives/2012_the_international_year_of_cooperative
s/iyc_2012_get_involved
4.
IYC Resources
Mark reminded the group of the resources and toolkits available on the www.Canada2012.coop
website, including a series of IYC talking points event kits, and presentation kits. The website
also has a link to The Flag Shop, the company partnering with the Canadian co-op movement to
provide IYC items for purchase (ranging from pins, to flags, to banners and table cloths)
(Direct link: http://www.canada2012.coop/en/get_involved/your-iyc-toolkit-download-tools)
On Co-op has created a list of 31 IYC suggestions LINK TO IYC SUGGESTIONS HERE.
Some of the simplest IYC tips include: Use the IYC theme (Co-operative Enterprises Build a Better
World) or a variant in a project you are already contemplating; Start putting the IYC logo, or the
IYC slogan/wordmark on your print and e-documents; and time an IYC event to match your
organization's needs such as an AGM, a conference or a staff meeting, a community event.
Beyond dates and activities important to your own organization, there are a number of key
dates happening in 2012 including International Co-op Day (Sat. July 7, 2012), International
Credit Union Day (Thurs. Oct. 19, 2012 ), Canada's Co-op Week (October 14-20, 2012) and the
very unofficial completion of IYC in Canada, December 12, 2012.
-
Co-op Check In
Some of the co-ops on the line talked about their upcoming plans:
The Co-operators will have IYC materials at each of their locations across Canada.
There will be an IYC event in Guelph on January 12th, before On Co-op launch, and another
after it to reach as many staff in Guelph as possible
West End Food Co-op will be opening its grocery store in Feb 2012, so that is its
primary goal for 2012. IYC will be included in the celebrations where possible.
CCA has created a video Christmas card focussed on IYC. Donna mentioned that in
New Brunswick, they have decorated a Christmas tree with IYC flags.
LSM Management Services will be doing fundraising for Rooftops Canada and
seeking donations that support the numbers 20.12.
COCHF will be meeting tonight, and coming up with ideas to get housing co-ops
involved locally.
CHF Canada is promoting common branding, and encouraging member co-ops to
bulk purchase flags and other IYC supplies. Simone mentioned that Windmill Line Co-op
has a huge IYC sign on its building, which is visible to those who travel the Gardiner
Expressway in Toronto. CHF will be taking part in the Guelph and Ottawa events on January
12th, and will be integrating IYC into its AGM in June.
ONFC has included IYC in its marketing plan, and had a soft launch for IYC during
Co-op Week, where it featured a co-op week trivia challenge for staff. The IYC logo is
appearing in staff autosignatures, in catalogues and in materials that go out to its customers
and members. A few events have already been planned, including featuring IYC as part of its
AGM, and creating a table top co-op education display for staff and board. The goal is to
allow board, and mainly staff, to really look at the organization as a co-operative. Future
goals include the creation of a legacy program.
Market
Details
Barrie
26-Dec-11 22-Jan-12
# of
Co-ops
18
Bayfield Street 1440ft N/O Livingstone Street W WS F/N
Toronto
26-Dec-11 22-Jan-12
1250 Matheson Boulevard 310ft W/O Bradco Boulevard NS
F/E
3100 St Clair Ave E.(WP80 Trio) (Roof) @ Victoria Park Ave
NEC F/S
… co-operatives build a better community
Barrie's 18
294
Toronto's 294
Toronto's 294
26-Dec-11 22-Jan-12
West Mall Crescent 500ft W/O The West Mall SS F/W
Toronto's 294
Toronto's 294
Peel Region
02-Jan-12 29-Jan-12 GB
732 Eglinton Avenue W 320ft E/O Heatherleigh Avenue SS
F/W
Hurontario Street (Highway 10) 145ft N/O Admiral Boulevard
ES F/S
103
Oshawa
26-Dec-11 22-Jan-12
25
530 Simcoe Street S & St Lawrence Street NWC F/SE
Hamilton
26-Dec-11 22-Jan-12
Peel Region's 103
Oshawa's 25
66
1111 King Road 390 ft N/O Enfield Road ES F/S
Hamilton's 66
09-Jan-12 29-Jan-12
Burlington
1999 Walker's Line 120 ft S/O Upper Middle Road WS F/N
32
Niagara
St Catharines-Niagara 26-Dec-11 22-Jan-12
7537 Thorold Stone Road (10x40) @ Montrose Road NEC
F/SW
104
26-Dec-11 22-Jan-12
39
Kitchener
Burlington's 32
Niagara Region's 104
Manitou Drive & Bleams Road NWC F/S
Waterloo Region's 93
Waterloo
Weber Street West 150 ft N/O Victoria Street ES F/S
27
Cambridge
Franklin Boulevard 400ft S/O Moorefield Street ES F/S
20
Brantford
19-Dec-11 01-Jan-12
18
West Street and Galileo Boulevard SWC F/N
Brant's 24
26-Dec-11 22-Jan-12
7 Stanley Street 65 ft N/O Colborne Street ES F/SW
Guelph
19-Dec-11 15-Jan-12
Brant's 24
45
York Road E/O Victoria Street NS F/W
Guelph's 45
02-Jan-12 29-Jan-12 GB
Victoria Road 350 ft N/O Elizabeth Street WS F/SE
*** Co-operators' co-branded ***
13-Feb-12 11-Mar-12 GB
Edinburgh Road S/O Speedvale Avenue WS F/N
London
Windsor
ChathamKent
26-Dec-11 22-Jan-12
*** Co-operators' co-branded ***
75
Oxford Street (10x44 Flex) W/O Talbot Street SS F/W
London's 75
Horton Street opposite Johnston Street NS F/W
London's 75
26-Dec-11 22-Jan-12
27
02-Jan-12 29-Jan-12
17
178 St Clair Street 55 ft N/O Lowe Street WS F/N
Sudbury
1 2 09-Jan-12 22-Jan-12
Windsor's 27
*** AGRIS co-branded ***
37
300 LaSalle Boulevard 610 ft E/O St Jerome Street NS F/SW
Sudbury's 37
23-Jan-12 19-Feb-12
Thunder Bay
Douglas St 70 ft E/O Lorne St NS F/E
Sudbury's 37 CU co-brand
20-Feb-12 04-Mar-12
credit union branded -*-*
300 LaSalle Boulevard 610 ft E/O St Jerome Street NS F/SW
Sudbury's 37 CU co-brand
26-Dec-11 22-Jan-12
Fort William Road and Eleventh Avenue SWC F/S
26
Thunder Bay's 26