The Ontario Co-operative Association is calling all young co-op champions and entrepreneurs: NOWis the time to submit your new co-op business pitch to the All 4 Each "Create-A-Co-op" challenge. As the All 4 Each project gains momentum, more and more youth acrossCanada are getting hip to the co-operative movement, and this challenge.

The earlier you upload your 2 minute pitch video to, the sooner you can start collecting votes for your brilliant new co-op business! Contest closes June 1st,…

As part of the 2012 International Summit of Cooperatives, the Future Cooperative Leaders Program has been designed to:

• help young professionals by encouraging their continuing interest in the cooperative movement
• help them play a more visible part in the debate on cooperative and sustainable development and  share their experiences
• enhance their decision-making ability with regard to the role of cooperatives in our lives
• encourage them to promote the creation of cooperatives

The 2012…

Today, thousands of co-operatives and credit unions across Canada will officially launch the United Nations proclaimed International Year of Co-operatives (IYC).

We invite you to watch the live presentation at 12:30 pm EST at Canada 2012 Live

To learn more about IYC and what is happening across Canada, visit www.canada2012.coop.

My grandpappy always used to tell me to "go where your audience is." Okay, not really, but he should have! Because it's great advice.

Most nonprofits follow it well. They do paper mailings, send emails, create webpages, and attend public events. They're active on social media too - and most were smart enough to follow their audiences whem they switched from Myspace to Facebook.

But what about video?  The latest research suggests that 50% of Internet users watch online video at least once…

In September, 165 university and college student leaders from across Canadacame together for three days with national business and sustainability leaders to explore real sustainability solutions. The Co-Operators Group convened this amazing IMPACT! conference at the University of Guelph, Ontario. I was on an opening night panel with three other cross-sector panelists.

Spurred on by insightful student questions, at one point, I thought it was appropriate to acknowledge that we all have…

In September, we shared with you an exciting opportunity to learn more about coops.  As part of the 2012 International Summit of Cooperatives, the Future Cooperative Leaders Program has been designed to:

• help young professionals by encouraging their continuing interest in the cooperative movement
• help them play a more visible part in the debate on cooperative and sustainable development and  share their experiences
• enhance their decision-making ability with regard to the role of…

Watch the video below and take a look at the IMPACT! 2011 highlights.

Media and government relations and dating sites both involve:

• identifying key people with shared interests
• deeply understanding the other's background and needs
• positioning yourself for joint success
• building relationships

Build your Contact Plan

In both media and government relations, mapping out a comprehensive contact plan is an important place to begin. For media, include local media outlets, specialized reporters and bloggers. Think about industry publications and editorial…