Keynote speaker

Keynote speaker, Kelly Baxter, Executive Director of The Natural Step Canada, shared her experiences with transforming communities with The Natural Step Framework, a system designed to analysis a group’s sustainability and determine what steps need to be taken to increase it.

“I can talk to you about the economic and business reasons for paying attention to our environment – and there are lots,” Baxter told participants at CHF Canada’s 2007 annual meeting.  “But let me just ask … How many of you have children? How many of you have grandchildren?

“Well, I think that’s one BIG reason that we’re having this conversation today. We’re talking about THEIR future. …We’d all do anything for our children. There’s nothing more important. So collectively, why wouldn’t we want to safeguard their future, to make sure that they have access to the same quality of life that we do?”

Kelly Baxter’s speaking notes. (pdf)

Member discussion on sustainability

During the national business meeting, members had an opportunity to take part in a group brainstorming session, where they shared their thoughts on four questions:

1. What does sustainability mean to your co‑op, and to your co‑op members?  As your members make plans for your co‑op’s future, are you considering “sustainability” as part of these?
2. What steps has your co‑op already taken (or is considering taking) toward sustainability? What do you see as the most important challenges that your Co‑op will face? Has your co‑op found ways to overcome these challenges?
3. How have individual members contributed to your co‑op’s discussions of a 2020 vision and/or environmental sustainability? Are there ways that you think could increase members’ engagement, or perhaps build your community at the same time?
4. What are the most important ways that the 2020 vision project can help your co‑op’s progress toward sustainability?

Members’ discussions were recorded in this report. (pdf)

Hannah Taylor wows delegates

When 11-year-old Hannah Taylor spoke to AGM delegates about her work with homelessness she said modestly “I’m just an ordinary kid.” But this ordinary kid has done some extraordinary things, raising over $1 million for homeless people since she first saw a man eating out of a garbage can when she was five years old.

Over $16,000 was raised for the Ladybug Foundation through contributions from delegates, co‑ops, federations and the Red River Celebration on Thursday night.