Posted on 01/21/2009, 7:06 am, by mySteinbach

Credit Union Central of Manitoba will receive provincial funding totalling $105,000 over two years to develop a curriculum that will build capacity among its membership and help new and existing co-ops grow into successful enterprises, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) Minister Rosann Wowchuk announced.
 
“Credit Union Central was contracted for this initiative because of its experience and expertise in building and growing a member-driven organization,” said Wowchuk.  “The reference materials and teaching resources being created will help potential, new and existing co-ops in each phase of their development.”
 
The new curriculum will focus on areas such as project planning, management training, board governance, business planning, equity drives, training and mentorship of boards, operation of committees, and management and staffing of co-operatives.
 
Partners in the co-operative development strategy include the Manitoba Cooperative Association (MCA), the Economic Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM) and MAFRI.
 
“Co-operatives often face the most difficulty in the early stages of development so that’s when advice and support needs to be available,” said MCA chair Barry Gosnell.  “This is the first part of a multi‑phase program that will provide project management support and training to co-operatives to help them organize and take advantage of business opportunities.”
 
The new resource material will support program development activities, resource development, staff training, communication and promotion, and activities to promote participation and financial support from the community.
 
“Many successful social and economic developments in our province are the result of community co‑op business ventures so it is important that we encourage more co-ops throughout the province,” said Louis Allain, executive director of the CDEM. “The guidelines in the new curriculum will help co‑ops focus on what works and apply the strategy to each individual co-operative business venture.”
 
There are more than 800,000 memberships in 400 co-operatives, credit unions and caisses populaires in Manitoba.
 
Through MAFRI GO Offices, the province offers assistance to individuals, groups and communities wishing to develop new co-operatives and to existing co-ops looking to expand their operations. Financial programs such as co-operative loan guarantees and co‑op promotion assistance are also available.
 
Information on the advantages and processes of developing a cooperative organization can be found at www.co-ops.mb.ca.