Mobilizing Youth for the Delivery of Advisory Services (MYDAS)

Youth Co-op Links

2006-04-12T15:31:00.000-03:00

Greetings MYDAS team,
Well, my current project out of Lobie's little box (as I lovingly refer to the office at 129 Kent Street), has been to re-vamp the CoopZone website. So, this project, which at first seemed a tedious, spreadsheet-driven task of searching through a maze of co-op related websites, has turned into a valuable learning tool, as I have now increased my resource pool to an exponential depth!

I came upon a few youth co-op sites that are worth mentioning here:

http://bcics.uvic.ca/youthzone/

This is the BC Institute for Co-operatives Study Youth site, which includes mention of a book titled 'Youth Re-inventing Co-operatives':

http://bcics.uvic.ca/youthzone/youth_reinvent_book.php

Also, there is an International Youth Co-opertive Network:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/youth-co-operation/

And, last but not least, there is the

International
Building Co-operative Futures Youth Conference

Co-operating Out of Poverty: Can Co-ops Save the World?

Manchester and Rochdale, United Kingdom
May 24-27, 2006

http://www.co-op.ac.uk/bcf2006.htm

Hope that everyone is prospering in their respective fields, and I look forward to meeting some of you in person soon!

Kelli

Hello! Bonjour!

2006-03-29T16:28:00.000-04:00

Okay, I think I've finally got it, that is ... gotten myself onto the MYDAS blogspot.
Thanks Neal, Dan and David for all your help!
It is a beautiful, sunny spring day here in Charlottetown.
Dan and David are at the Queen Street Commons busily taking care of month-end necessities, while I'm holding the space here at the MYDAS office, doing my own month-end stuff, and following up after the CED Conference in Vancouver.
Which I better get back to!
(Funny thing about this technology that is supposed to save our time, often takes up more of it than we had intended).
Kelli

De Retourrrrre

2006-03-28T18:07:00.000-04:00

Voila 5 mois dans le sommeil de la coopération que le petit Gars de St-Paul renait avec une éducation supérieur à celle de l'an passé et encore plus d'iniatives pour les prochaines années au sujet du développement coopératif !

I went to a Forum the week-end of the 16-17 organised by the Coopérative de Développement Régional - Acadie that was held in Memeramcook. I had the chance to meet many cooperators, but by busy ideas, forgot to take their names and contacts. ( something that I could do when I finish University, I know em all pretty well )

Here are the subjects discussed during the Forum :

LE succès de MontDragon, animé par le conférencier Greg McLeod
Coopérative la Relève d'ASBESTOS, animé par le conférencier Francois Rancourt
Les coopératives Scolaire, animé par Maxime Lavoie

Tous d'intéressantes conférences qui me laisse optimiste pour la création de projets cet été advenant que la coopérative MYDAS existe toujours et qu'elle pourra bien recruter des agents.

MYDAS, c'est la plus belles iniatives des coopératives pour la jeunesse, le coup doit etre prolongé !

Bonne semaine tout le monde !

Questions : 1-506-955-5607

Marc Henrie

2006-03-24T17:21:00.000-04:00

trying to figure out this blog thing but i believe i am signed in as david.
i need some blog angels to help me out here,
kelli

2006-03-13T12:44:00.000-04:00

Spring sunshine in Charlottetown!!!Hello MYDAS-MJASC blogsters. I want to introduce the newest MYDAS member, Kelli Hanrahan. Kelli is working with MYDAS courtesy of the Work Experience Program (WEP) of the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (www.ccednet-rcdec.ca). Kelli will blog her own intro soon.Both Kelli and I leave tomorrow for the CCEDNet annual conference in Vancouver (lucky us!).Although it is still very much "under construction", you may want to check out the web site atwww.mydas-mjasc.coopA big thanks to Neal Gillis for site design and to Peter Lux for general IT assistance. Kristi Kelly has offered to give some long-distance content input from her current location in France. All MYDAS web site content suggestions (and submissions) will be appreciated. You can post to the blog, or send things to me via lobie@isn.netI'm fielding regular inquiries about internship opportunities for 2006, but will not know any details until mid-April at the earliest. It will take that long to hear back from the various former partners that we have submitted new proposals to for this year. Enjoy the warmer weather!

Update for the week of October 16-22

2005-10-20T11:12:00.000-03:00

1. I was in school Monday and Tuesday, which caused me to come up with an idea which I proposed to David about expanding MYDAS' advisory services to include advice on export development and international trade for cooperatives, which he thought was a good idea. I am writing up a formal proposal for David and sponsors and such.

2. Applied to CEDTAP on behalf of the Basket Weavers and I am continuing to help them on their search for funding.

3. Normal weekly accounting and admin stuff in Evangeline and Charlottetown.

4. The CDC website should be up and running by the weekend and I will provide the URL when I receive it.

5. David and I are having a meeting to outline some key priorities For the rest of the week and next.

6. David and I are both planning to attend the Coop Forum 2005 in Evangeline this weekend, and I will sum up the outcomes sometime next week.

Big Update

2005-10-08T15:51:00.000-03:00

David and I have fallen out of the blog habit unfortunately. However, I, being the ultimate record taker, will attempt to provide a synopsis of our activites since I left off. I would also like to invite all of this summers interns to pop in and give us an update on their lives and their coop activities should they get a moment among all their other things to do.

1. The first big news is that I have moved to Charlottetown, and will be working out of David's office on Kent Street for the time being. I will be travelling to Wellington once or twice a week to help Edgar out as well. Never could there be two more opposite people to work for than David and Edgar, so it is good that I get the best of both worlds. On a personal note, I found a great apartment, am closer to family, and I finally got a dog, Beamer, from the humane society, so I plan on settling here for a good long while (I hope). Also, I am conveniently situated between federal and provincial offices, so if any ABC or D out there wants to hire me after my internship, by my guest! I also start a new internship in January, in the field of export development, which I am very excited about.

2. On to cooperative stuff. Currently, to me, the most interesting project that has come across my desk is the immigration project. The CDC is setting up the Cooperative d'integration de l'IPE (CIIPE) in order to attract, welcome, and integrate new francophone immigrants to the Evangeline region. This is really a faboulous plan, if it ever comes together, as it both helps Evangeline attract new citizens and new economic and social activity, and helps francophones in need abroad come to Canada and hopefully have the chance to build a better life for themselves and their families.

The project is slowing slightly, probably because everyone is busy with other projects at the moment, and also everyone seems to be going madly off in all directions whenever work is done on the project. I have various plans to organize the troops, but being the person with the absolute least seniority at the table, my voice is not really being heard. However, David gave me some good advice about how projects he started twenty years ago are only now seeing real success and that we all need to be patient. It is hard though, when it comes to immigration issues when you think of all those people from in the DRC or Cote d'Ivoire, in need of a safe place to live, and all those homes for sale in Evangeline sitting empty all winter. I guess it just reminds us of how lucky we all are.

3. Coop Forum 2005 is being held during co-op week in Evangeline. Edgar has many plans for promoting the coop movement during this week, but the deadline is fast approaching and I hope we can get everything done in time. The CDC is working on promotion for several special events durign co-op week, and is organizing the conference and banquet on Saturday. I am doing some marketing, but I am mostly busy with translation duties, as the CDC has decided to make all of its Co-op week publicity and resources available in both official languages, which I think is great. It is easy work, but time consuming.

3b. We hope to get the first issue of the newsletter "The Co-operator" published before co-op week, in order to promote the activities that are coming up that week. It is written in both languages, it just has to go through the editors, be fit into the layouts and printed. I had hoped to get two issues of the newsletter out before co-op week, but that proved to be unfeasible. I have a general format planned for each issue, which will include local co-op news and events, a message from the CDC outlining their activities, an indepth profile of a local co-op (this month it will be the CSJ youth worker co-op), a profile of successful national co-ops that locals may be interested (this month it will be MYDAS that is profiled), and some tips and advice for running co-ops and small businesses in general. In upcoming issues, I hope to feature interviews, commentaries, editorials, and more community input. The next issue will probably sum up the events of the Co-op Week and the conference.

3c. The CDC website will be launched at the Coop Forum 2005. I'm still working on the content. It will be bilingual, so there is still some translation to be done. Most of the website was taken directly from my powerpoint presentation for the Festival Acadien. The website will feature profiles of each co-op, an on-line version of the newsletter, an interactive community calendar where co-op meetings and other events can be advertised, important links to other web sites of interest, and news from the CDC. The great thing about a website is that it is really a work in progress, and I hope when everyone sees it, they write in and add on to the history or information on the co-ops, and correct any information that may be wrong, so that we can have accurate details on all of Evangeline's co-op, which is something the community is really missing and in need of.

3d. Organizing the meetings at the conference on October 22: As I said I am doing a lot of translation for the Forum. Edgar is taking the lead on organizing the topics of the meetings. Basically, the main discussing topic is to reflect on Evangeline's coop movement, talk about what has been successful, and generate ideas for the future. There is also a special emphasis on youth at the forum, and all local youth with be admitted to all activities for free, and they have a chance to win an IPOD during co-op week. I think Edgar and I plan to design our work for the next few months on the ideas generated by these meetings, possibly developing some new cooperatives, or adressing the issues the participants pointed out at the conference.

3e. The Cooperative Order of Merit will be awarded at the banquet following the Co-op Forum, and their will also be a guest speaker on the topic of youth in cooperatives.

4. The Chez Nous is going along smoothly. Edgar and I have been fiddling with the computers at the home and trying to get highspeed internet set-up so we can do internet banking and other things. Edgar wanted some reports on how I was doing with the accounting, so we have been going through the records and fixing some minor problems (mostly misunderstandings on my part), and I am currently working on balancing the books for September. Payroll is going smoothly, as are paying the bills and recording the revenues. There are just a few bugs I still have to work out from when I put in all of the previous accountant's data for the first three months of the fiscal year. Once again, simple but tedious and time consuming work.

5. As a side project, I am helping the Basket Weavers Co-op apply for some aditional funding. I hope they recieve it, but I was just glad to hear more about their program, as I had not delt with them all summer. As the founders are hoping to retire soon, they are planning to train new basket weavers, and set-up a museum and interpretive center to pass on their craft. The only hitch is that they had hoped to train low-income people or women on social assistance, and right now the cost of tuition would be unreasonable for people on a fixed income, and they would not be able to buy their own tools which is a large but nessecary expense if they are serious about becomeing entrepreuneurs. I really hope I can find some money for them.

6. CSJ is on a bit of a break now because the kids have all started school again and are very busy. I finished the last payroll of the summer, and the kids made over 2500$ between the five of them, which was a great success. They will be incorporated into Co-op week somehow, possibly setting up a daycare for moms and dads who want to go to the meetings on Saturday. I also hope to do a bit of a marketing blitz before Christmas, so the kids can earn some Christmas money on their vacation from school by wrapping presents or digging out driveways.

7. Outside of Wellington, I am helping David with the MYDAS interim report, which was mailed off on Friday. I am also taking care of the very limited book keeping to be done for MYDAS. David has some other projects planned as well, and we may work on the filing in the MYDAS office.

That is really all I can think of at the moment. I plan to do the blog weekly from now own, so David and Edgar can keep track of me, and so I can give a more detailed explanation of the projects as they come. For now I am doing a lot of finishing of things. Nothing very exciting but all very nessecary, such as translations, and balancing the books, and reviewing files, and checking out resources for the website.

Over the next week, I plan to:

1. While the immigration project is seemingly stalled, I am working on translating the by-laws into english so that whenever I get my signatures, I can submit them to the government right a way. As well, I am trying to do as much research as I can on the topic of immigration. The action plan calls for the creation of resource guides for those involved in the project, and for new arrivals to PEI, and I would really like to be the one to put those guides together, and to do it sooner rather than later.

2. I am also continuing some general research so I can have some story ideas for the next newsletters, and some interesting stories to add to the website, as well as some ideas for future economic development in Wellington and in Atlantic Canada in general. Hopefully, when I am nearing the end of my internship, I can put all my research together to pass on to next year's MYDAS interns if they would find it usefull.

3. I have to put the finishing touches on the website, and get my files organized and sent off to the web developpers so they can publish it before the co-op forum.

4. As soon as Edgar reviews the newsletter, I will stick it into the layouts and get it publish and distributed as fast as possible.

5. Edgar would like a video to be made of some local people talking about cooperatives, including the Leiutenant Governor, Leonce Bernard. We have to jump through some technical hoops, but if everything is arranged, I will be interviewing the english people, and taping the french people, and hopefully I can figure out how to edit it all together and make it look nice for the Coop Forum. It is a task that I would have preferred not to undertake on such short notice, but if we can pull it off, it should be pretty cool, and be a great record for the community to hold on to.

6. Other odds and ends such as pushing paper for the Basket Weavers, continued fun with accounting, translations of documents after documents, etc.

That is really all I can think of for now. My home office is all set up, and as I said I got a new dog who needs walks and food and attention, so I will be dividing my time between working from home, from the MYDAS office in Charlottetown, and from Wellington, so the best way to reach me is on my cell or by email.

That's all for now,
Happy Thanksgiving,

Katie

thank you all

2005-09-02T13:13:00.000-03:00

Hello Friends,

And so we have come to the end of your little journey together, It has been a great summer together and I have truly learned a lot.

I look forward to seeing you all again, good luck in whatever you undertake in the fall.

Love,
Dan

Labour Day soon

2005-09-01T12:09:00.000-03:00

Hello all,

The warm moist air of the hurricane's tail end are barely bothering us here on PEI...nothing like the 178 mm of rainfall that Radio Canada reports in Québec...and nothing like the devastation in the USA. Even so, the grey skies and showers reflect some of my innate sadness at the prospect of not having the MYDAS team to kick around after Friday. However, the temperature here mirrors the heart-felt warmth that lingers from the opportunity to work with you over the course of the summer. I have learned a lot. Thank you.

Because of her late start, I'll still have Katie on the payroll up in Wellington, PEI, and there is a possibility of extending the rest of "l'Équipe Acadienne" (Marc) in NB, as well. It will be good for me to practise my French, mais c'est chanceux que Windows XP indique le pupart de mes erreurs de grammaire et d'épelation automatiquement.

By the way, I noticed in recent posts that Diedre was being cited as the government programs guru, whereas Katie is the current title holder. So, if you have clients seeking funding info, Katie is a good resource. Bear in mind that her "Eastlink" e-address is now defunct and she is back to using the dal.ca e-address (I won't post contact info on this site, but feel free to contact me if you need up-to-date information for any of the team).

MYDAS interns are mostly heading off/back to other duties, from university studies to overseas placements. For myself, the MYDAS program continues in a "down-sized" form. There are financial and narrative reports to be submitted to our sponsors and I'm still engaged in ongoing work on co-op CED projects in both PEI and NB. Clients will continue to receive Technical and Advisory Services under the MYDAS banner and I am already beginning to miss the reservoir of talent that has been available to me as a matter of course over the summer months.

A number of you have undertaken to continue with co-op CED work on a voluntary basis. If you find the time to do so, it will certainly be appreciated. Also, if we can raise the funds to engage your services further throughout the school year, I shall be in communication. Speaking of communication, you are all encouraged to participate in a teleconference on:

Sunday 18 September at 1 p.m. Atlantic Time

at which time we can see if there are issues that need to be "debriefed". You will receive an e-mail with the invitation and the dial-in details closer to the date.

I am available anytime via the usual contact methods. Please feel free to call, e-mail, visit etc.
I hope to be able to work with you again in the future and I am confident that your accomplishments will reflect well on the MYDAS program and on the co-op sector in general.

Well done!

The End: Neal

2005-08-31T09:07:00.000-03:00

Well folks, I'm going to post my Friday blog entry today, as I'm taking my vacation days tomorrow and Friday, making today my last MYDAS day of the summer. Needless to say, it has been a great experience working with such a great program, and such a great team. Thanks to all of you who have made this summer what it was.
This week, I:

am meeting with Wendy tonight to incorporate the LEAP Co-operative

contacted the Co-op secretariat about changing some addresses for David

answered some questions for Wendy Pobjoy about incorporating her project

made a MYDAS flyer

will be cleaning up my office today

There we have it. Hope to talk to you all soon. Best of luck to all of you with school, internships, working, etc.

All the best and God bless.

-Neal Gillis

Final Week

2005-08-30T10:44:00.000-03:00

Ahoy!
Well folks, it's been a gas. Wish you all the best, hope we get a chance for some kind of debrief for whoever will still be around in the fall.
Here's the agenda for week number 14:

Continue working on and complete the governance diagnostic tool
Move the date of the World Cafe ahead, to an evening event to allow more high school youth to attend
firm up keynote speakers for the event; spread the word like mad
Get mail-outs printed
Move out of my office
Send an overdue package to the ACOA office in Halifax

Hope you all had as much fun as I did.

cheers,

-stu

WEEK 14: Kristi Kelly

2005-08-29T23:57:00.000-03:00

Hey Everyone,

Hope everyone is having a great last week of work! As you probably have noticed there were no phone calls this week, but rest assured they will be made Wednesday

My main concern this week has been working on the AGR it was quite a big document and hopefully it encompasses how amazing the program was this year! Thank You to everyone for submitting their stuff!
Looks like the LEAP incorporation is set to go for Wednesday evening, so that is exciting news
Then it is all about wraping everything else up and getting ready for class!

Take care everyone, and i look forward to speaking with you on Wednesday.

Dernière...

2005-08-29T23:20:00.000-03:00

Dernière semaine :o(

This is the end my friend…the only end I know….

This week’s goals :

Meeting with Guylaine Noel, coordinatrice pour l’Association des étudiants du CCNB de Dieppe. Discuss how coop could be integrated on the homecoming weeks.
Meeting with Norma and Murielle, project of la cooperative de Dieppe
Contact le Carrefour d’immigration rurale for a follow up
Contact Melvin to see the plans they have for this fall and tell him how are things going at the coop in Dieppe

Well that’s it… Université après sa…

Yeehouuu

Have a great week !

Marc

last week

2005-08-29T20:54:00.000-03:00

Hello all

Wow the summer has just gone by so quickly i still feel as if its July. However on the more important things, this week is looking to be busy one for me agian in good ole Freddy, with finishing up letters and gettting them around, finishing projects and tying up any loose ends i plan to be in extreme work mode for the next couple of days. Also there is still work to finish and be done with ACYL and the Nackawic group so ill be busy as im sure the rest of everyone is as well. So i wish all good luck this week and i hope everyone has a good one.

Diedre

final week Blog

2005-08-29T17:03:00.000-03:00

Hello all,

And so it is, our last week as MYDAS interns. This week will be spent cluing up projects, this process started with a great meeting with the Indian Head Co-op this morning, MYDAS can expect a letter of appreciation from them in the upcoming weeks. Communication has been a little sketchy with me this week as I am in the process of traveling around and in fact will be heading back to my home in St. John’s tomorrow where I will spend a week before I depart for Africa to continue my co-op journey.
In short I do not know what this week will hold, I will answer emails periodically when I have internet access and deal with MYDAS things as they arise.

Perpetually in transit,
Dan

The very last week: Stephanie Hobbs

2005-08-29T16:11:00.000-03:00

First thing is first, last Friday is missing my blog entry, and I am sure most people noticed. My computer decided to get a virus and shut down windows. I was close to a break down, we all know that feeling. Luckily with a small fee of $70, I got all my documents, pictures and everything else back safe and sound. Just to add my computer is no longer sick, it's up and working just fine.

Friday's Blog:

The week was busy getting ready for the Wetlands Co-op meeting. We meet on Thursday in Codroy and helped them with a few marketing details and other things. Thanks Roger Greaves from the Charlottetown Farmer’s market for his help this week.

The Wetlands Farmer’s Market is out of funding as of the end of this year, they need some more cash. If anyone has suggestions on how they can garner some more funding please let me know via email. This request goes especially to Deidre as I understand she is great at that.

Monday's Blog:

Wow the final week! This week is going to be spent cluing up all our projects and lose ends. We had a great meeting with Indian head and I will be presenting the strategic plan and the newsletters to them on the 31 or august, their fist board meeting as a new board.

I will also be working on the presentation for NLFC and I will be sending a copy of that to David.

Final Week: Neal

2005-08-29T14:11:00.000-03:00

Summer has once again come and gone before I even knew it started. Classes start in a week and a half, so this shall be my final week of MYDASing. Also, seeing as though I haven't taken my vacation days, I'll finish up on Wednesday.

The next couple of days will include:
- getting ready for the incorporation meeting with Wendy Pobjoy for the LEAP Project.
- helping Kristi with the graphics sections in the AGR.
- making a MYDAS flyer.
- Contacting the Co-op Secretariat for some of David's mail issues.
- Cleaning up.

Oh yeah.

WEEK 14: Matthew Petre

2005-08-29T13:58:00.000-03:00

Its the last week, wow this internship really flew by. For the next few days before I start the big trek home I will be:

Completing correspondance with ACOA Truro
Working on the World Cafe
Talking with Monica DiOchon, St. F X about her possible research into co-operative management structures
Monitoring Fred's progress with the new weblog I created for his use communicating with NSCC members in his region

I would like to thank you all, it really was a great experience working with such a strong virtual team across the region. I wish everyone best of luck in your future endeavors!

Regards,
Matt

Plans for next week

2005-08-29T10:52:00.000-03:00

1. This week will be dedicated to the Festival Acadien. The CDC will have a booth there to do some promotion of local cooperatives, as well as a powerpoint presentation that people can stop and watch for more information. This week I will be finishing up the presenation, as well as gathering materials for the information booth.

2. Our youth worker coop will also be working at the Festival. They will be setting up a popcorn stand and selling water and cotton candy as well. They will also be carrying signs for the CDC in the parade on Sunday, weather permitting. So I will be helping them plan out all those things and hopefully I'll learn how to make cotton candy!

Katie

End of Week wrap up

2005-08-29T10:43:00.000-03:00

Hi all,

1. Most of this week was spent in preparation for the Fun Day at Mill River on Saturday. The kids from our worker coop spent the day teaching other kids about cooperatives.

I designed a little game in which the kids were divided into groups and each group had to develop an idea for a new cooperative for the area, that would help or involve local youth. Each group was led by a member of the worker coop, and Edgar and I circulated the room to help out. Then the groups presented their idea to the group, and every one voted as to whether the coop should be incorporated. It was quite fun and we had lots of laughs.

Their ideas were as follows:

1. Youth drop in center in Abrams- Village were kids could play games and watch movies.
2. Cooperative Drive-In for the Evangeline region featuring french films as well as new releases.
3. Locksmithing workers cooperative that would come to your door at any hour if you locked yourself out of your car or house.
4. A home for homeless kids in Mischouche that would cater to kids in need both in Summerside and in West Prince, and be bilingual as well.

Some of the kids really needed this session, as when they started few could even name a cooperative in Evangeline. I think they're pretty well informed now as to the things one has to think about before starting a cooperative.

And then they all went swimming and had pizza and ice cream and it was a good day. The turnout was a little low, but it was mostly due to other events going on in the region on that day.

2. I have also begun my powerpoint presentation on the local coops for the Festival Acadien. I am just waiting for a few more pictures to finish it off.

Wrap up of Week 13: Matthew Petre

2005-08-28T22:30:00.000-03:00

My appologies for the late post, lots of things to wrap up before I head back to Ontario. This week I was able to:

Complete the new weblog for Fred Pierce of the NSCC which will enable Fred a new mode of communication to keep all of his region (Central Nova Scotia) in the loop of NSCC and Co-operative development news in general
Contacted ACOA Truro Office and I am assembling some information to send to them on the MYDAS Program and what we have been up to in Central NS
Get my laptop fixed, only my files were saved though, no programs unfortunately
Worked on the World Cafe with Stu

I look forward to wrapping up everything I am working on over the next few days before I make the big trek back home to Southern Ontario.

Cheers,
Matt

End of Week 13 Post. Neal

2005-08-27T14:42:00.000-03:00

Well, I got back from Germany on Tuesday morning, and got right to work on Wednesday. Although David and Kristi were a pile of emotion to see me back, they managed to find lots to keep me busy with:

Kristi and I took care of remittance and next week's payroll

Worked on cleaning up the Incorporation Document for the Charlottetown Rec Soccer Co-op

Got the MYDAS Payroll spreadsheet up to date

I've been in contact with Wendy Pobjoy about setting up a meeting next week to incorporate her LEAP project as a co-op

Helped Kristi with some AGR stuff, including a map the will highlight the communities MYDAS has touched

Started on the AGR 'Treasurer's Report'

That's all now. Report back on Monday.
-Neal

Rapport de la semaine 10

2005-08-26T18:42:00.000-03:00

Bonjour tout ‘l’monde !

Voici ce que j’ai fait cette semaine :

I did set up a meeting with Norma and Martine for next week even though it was hard tracking vacationning Norma…
I’m still awaiting answers for the Farmers’ coop convention, soon to be held in south Easterne N.-B. in autumn.
Improved the Marketing research for my coop. I am still compiling the data, and making suggestions with Gabriel, the manager.
I took some fast photos and finished my Annual Report
I also contacted the local student organization for upcoming coop activities or somewhat….this will all depend on what the recruitment committee will let me do, and how many more work weeks do I have left.

Finished reading the rural-urbain realities document...Finnaly

Also finished the book of Martin Léger, one of the pioniers du mouvement coopératif Acadien, basicly his book his the first 40 years of the movement in l'Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick

Well I thought I was gonna stay for September, but maybe not, so for you guys that are leaving: y’all take care ! It was fun to work in the same organization with ya. We should remember that we certainly accomplished the goals set by the ones who had the chance to assist in P.E.I. for the first orientation, but we accomplished them as a team, working together with our qualities.

It was fun, I hope I get the chance to stay for September has I had many things planned with the Dieppe recruitment comitee and my local Caisses Populaires, but we’ll see.

Have a great week !

Marc

Week 13

2005-08-26T16:59:00.000-03:00

Wow,
It's been a busy week here:

Completed a draft of the governance plan
Met with Diane Kelderman and Bob Williams about the World Cafe
Completed a postcard-style mail-out for the World Cafe; The date may have to be moved back a week, and am waiting on confirmation from John Ure before sending it out
Completed a flowchart draft for the governance tool
Looked over the HMC by-laws, generally wrapped things up.
On my way to a forum on Co-Housing this evening, to see if I can drum up some World Cafe participants
Still playing phone tag with Tom Webb

Hope that does it. If this is the last blog, it's been great working with you all, though seemingly a very busy summer. Wish you all the best in your crazed, wacky endeavors. If you send me your addresses, I'll send you all a postcard from Haiti, if and when I get myself down there :)

All the best,

-stu

Wk 13, wrap-up

2005-08-26T10:41:00.000-03:00

Busy week!

This was a great week, Between Ramea, Indian Head, and various Farmer’s markets we have been all over the co-op spectrum in the last few days. I would like to especially thank Roger Greaves from the Charlottetown Farmer’s market for his help this week. He made our time in the Codroy Valley much more productive than it would have been if not for his advice.

I do have a question for the “Brain Trust” though, the Wetlands Farmer’s Market is out of funding as of the end of this year, they need some more cash. If anyone has suggestions on how they can garner some more funding please let me know via email. This request goes especially to Deidre as I understand she is some sort of funding yoda, she has all the answers.

Enjoy the weekend,
Dan

midweek blog

2005-08-24T10:45:00.000-03:00

Hello all

Im now officially stationed in Fredericton for the year, there have been a few bumps along the way aka why im blogging today and not on friday or monday, but im starting to settle in. Last week was a busy one getting the bylaws all settled and dealt with, going over some activities with Carole and working on the upcoming girls weekend in Canso Nova Scotia. Carole, and her two exchange students one from France they other Spain and myself all travelled to PEI on thursday where we met up with David and went over ACYL issues that needed to be dealt with in person, which went excellently.I was also able to catch a chat with Kristie on the AGR stuff and on the newest iniative mydas will be taking with the Acadian group on the Island. While also on the Island we did some sightseeing for the girls which was alot of fun. On friday i was packing and getting phones and address changes, shoppping done for the big freddy move, but i managed to get some research done for Carole and prepare some things for the girl power weekend. This week plans on being even busy than the last, im still researching things for the Nackawic group on rural development projects, theres also the more things to work on for the Girl power weekend that Carole has assigned to me, i plan also to getting in contact with the VAC group Erin has worked with all summer to see how things are coming along and just a friendly chat if they are not to busy. Then setting up a new account with the Credit Union up here because they have so nicely sponsored me to go to the ACYL camp in Newfoundland this coming October, which is going to be an amasing time. especially since i get to be an honorary junior staff member, due to the fact i can not go to staff training in the fall regretable, however honorary jr staff member works for me. There's also the bylaws for ACYL incorporation to redo and get sent out asap, and the NUANS report to do, which should all be done within this and next week, and then that only leads the signatures of the directors and we shall see ACYL incorporated. There are also some thank you letters to be written and distributated, so i plan to be busy for the next few days. Also im without the internet at the house so if anyone wants to reach me i will try to check my email frequently and if its very crucial drop me and email and ill sent you my contact info asap.

Hope everyone is having a good week

Diedre

Back on the Island

2005-08-24T09:36:00.000-03:00

Hey folks,

Just in case you were getting worried, I am back from Germany safe and sound. I got back yesterday morning at 10:00, and I'm starting to work again today...

Talk to you later.

-Neal

Hello from Wellington (finally)

2005-08-23T11:37:00.000-03:00

The weeks are starting to run together as this is a busy time around here. This weekend is our youth activity day at Mill River, where local kids from the youth worker coop with teach other local kids about cooperatives in the region. We are planning a fun cooperative brainstorming session, so we may be able to come up with some ideas for new cooperatives that will interest local youths.

The weekend after that is the Acadian Festival, which the Conseil de developpement cooperatif is the official sponsor. I will be putting together a special DVD/Powerpoint presentation on all the local cooperatives, which I will then hopefully turn into a website so everyone can learn a little more about Evangeline's cooperative movement.

So those two things are what I have been up to, along with continued adventures in accounting at the Chez Nous Seniors Home.

Specifically,

Last Week:

1. Attended a meeting to further the immigration project in Evangeline. We are in the process of reviewing and finalizing our action plan on the topic so we can start to apply for funding and take the first few steps.
2. Confirmed the date for the kids activity at Mill River. The CSJ had a meeting and we planned out our activity for the coop information session at Mill River. I put together an info-pac containing some basic information about coop development for each member of the groups, so they can lead the information session on Wednesday.
3. Ordered our signs for the Festival Acadien and sent out letters to all our coops asking them to submit any information, pictures, samples, etc. that we can display for them at the festival.
4. Balanced the books for April-July at the Chez Nous, prooving to everyone the extent of my amazing accounting skills.

This week I plan to:

1. Do the final planning for our activity at Mill River. Hold a few CSJ meetings to finish things up.
2. Make headway on the Festival Coop presentation: take pictures of all the coops, bug them for information, and plan and compile the presentation onto powerpoint/dvd format.
3. Chez Nous payroll. CSJ payroll.
4. Saturday is our big day at Mill River, so we will be convincing kids to be cooperators all day long!.
5. Put CDC files into the accounting program.

I will probably do my Friday blog on Saturday night, so I can let you all know how our big day at Mill River went!

Bye
Katie

Semaine 10 : Marc

2005-08-22T15:29:00.000-03:00

Bonjour tout ‘l’monde !

Well a relax week ahead, or so I think it will be…

Here are my goals for this week :

Contact Norma Babineau for the latest developments with the recrutement comitee.
Prepare the presentation for my ideas to the bylaws for the Coop in Dieppe.
Keep contact with Donald Daigle for the farmers coop’s convention coming on south eastern N.-B.
Get things on another level with the help to my local Coop.
Finish the annual report en bonne et due forme ;)

Well rest assured, I will be working just as hard this week, I’ll just have a lot more breathing time.

Hahaha… Bonne semaine tout le monde !
Marc

WEEK 13: Matthew Petre

2005-08-22T11:28:00.000-03:00

Still without laptop and hoping that it will be back up and running by mid-week. This week I will be:

Working on the blog for Fred Pierce, NSCC
Contact ACOA Truro Office
Following up with Stu's MP in Halifax, my MP in Truro has not responded to my request to get together and chat about MYDAS
Working on the World Cafe, i.e. Co-op Atlantic, contacting potential delegates, etc.
Follow up with Fred Pierce

Have a great week everyone!
Matt

Week 12/13

2005-08-22T11:20:00.000-03:00

Alright,
So barring sickness, this is what I got done last week:

Put in most of the requirements for the final report
Got in touch with Rolando Inzenza of CHFC
Did some work on the questionnaire for board governance
Worked on a mail-out flyer for the World Cafe

Here are the goals for this week:

Meet with Diane Kelderman this Thursday about the World Cafe
Complete the questionnaire and submit to Bob Williams/Fred Pierce; adapt what I can based upon their suggestions
Inquire with NSCC about a board to test the questionnaire on
Complete the mail-out and have it sent by this week
Look over the final by-laws for HMC; generally wrap things up
Arrange a meeting with John Ure to frame the World Cafe questions
Finally, give Tom Webb a call, and leave a package with him to circulate for next Spring.

That's it for now.

-stuart

Week 13: Kristi Kelly

2005-08-22T11:15:00.000-03:00

13 already!? What!? Where is the summer going?!!?

This week, NEAL GETS BACK!! YAY!!! I have been so lonely with out him kicking around the office.
I plan on connecting with the LEAP folks, to see how their meeting went last week, and we can hopefully get one set up for this week!
Impex is moving along nicely, bylaws still remain an issue but progress in being made slowly and surely
AGR is taking up a lot of time, thank you for those who have submitted the required.
Neal and I, will hopefully complete our packages for our MP's and send them on their way!

Phone schedule will remain the same and I look forward to talking to you all!

Week 13

2005-08-22T10:18:00.000-03:00

Hello everyone, I am amazed to find myself almost at the end of our time together.

This week as well as next will be spent busy putting official ends to our projects. We are meeting with wetlands on Wednesday we have some information to give them from Roger Greaves as well as some information on marketing that Dan and I came up with. We also wanted to get in contact with the farmers co-op members who are not active and find out why and if there is anything we can do to help.

We are also sending out a sort of guide to help them sell shares and gather community sprit.

I am also just about finished the strategic plan, I have to meet with Indian Head to ensure it is what they wanted. After the meeting with the co-op I just have to print and bind it.

August 31 approaches

2005-08-22T10:09:00.000-03:00

Hello all,

In my Saturday post, I mentioned that CWCF's year-end is on August 31st. Because MYDAS is administered by CWCF, the yeaqr-end deadline affects us as well. If there are any outstanding bills, please submit them (together with supporting documentation/explanation) so that they reach me no later than one week from today (I should have them in my hand by Monday 29 August).

Sorry to hesr about Stu's illness and Matt's computer troubles...mayall soon be healed.

Wrap up of Week 12: Matthew Petre

2005-08-21T22:18:00.000-03:00

My appologies for not posting this sooner, but as of Tuesday morning, I have been without my think pad, as the hard drive went on it (a month and a half past warranty), so much for IBM Quality. My laptop is currently in the shop and it is supposed to be fixed by Tuesday/Wednesday if all goes as planned, which I certainly hope it does.

Even though I have been operating without my laptop/readily accessible internet, last week I was able to:

Start working on the weblog for Fred Pierce at the NSCC
Began research for Monica DiOchon, St. F X, possible Co-op Academic Study
Received very positive feedback from Fred Pierce regarding the Co-operative Funeral Home Guide I created for the NSCC
Attended the Community Ecnomic Development Investment Funds "Annual Networking and Learning Event" in Stellarton on Thursday. There I had a chance to chat with Peter Hough who was a speaker on Alternative RRSP's. Fred also afforded me the opportunity to sit in on the formation of a nominating comittee for the board of the CEDIF Members Development Co-operative Ltd. This is really exciting since it is bringing together CEDIFS from across Nova Scotia, which will enable sharing of best practices and many other great benefits.
Waiting to hear back from Healthy Minds
Still working on the World Cafe

If anyone does need to get ahold of me, I appreciate your understanding in that I have limited internet access capability until my laptop gets fixed, but will do my best to respond as promptly as possible.

Cheers,
Matt

Week 12

2005-08-20T18:07:00.000-03:00

My week is not actually over. From Wednesday onward I was quite ill, in a daze, and pretty well unable to speak due to a throat infection. Am still recovering today, but will be spending much of the rest of my weekend trying to play some catch-up.
I will post a more detailed blog tomorrow evening on what I actually was able to get done.
-stuart

Wrap up of Week 12: Kristi Kelly

2005-08-20T11:05:00.000-03:00

Hi Everyone, yesterday was a holiday here on good'ol PEI so I took advantage of it by checking out the parade yesterday morning, and relaxing throughout the day! A much needed break from a busy week!!

THANK YOU! Everyone has submitted their final reports, now it is just a matter of getting information in on the other areas (such as media releases, tracking sheets, etc).
Both the Impex and LEAP cooperative projects had bylaw meetings this week, and thing look hopefully for soon incorporation!
I have been typing away on drafts for the final report, LIKE MAD! Also, ACOA has expressed interest in sending out a press release for us, so I made sure they had all the information they needed!
Yay for seeing Carole and Diedre! Sorry I couldn't stay for too long, but it was nice to see you none the less...
And yes, I survived payroll, I hope everyone likes their business cards, and cheques made it out on time!!

Take care folks, I look forward to talk to you all tomorrow!

Wk wrap-up

2005-08-20T09:05:00.000-03:00

Sorry for the late blog,

This week was spent on a somewhat new project, the revitalization of the wetlands farmers market co-op. We are starting with the physical space and are working our way through day-to-day operations as well. We will be meeting in Codroy valley again this Wednesday and will forward pictures at that time.

We have nearly complete the strategic plan for Indian Head and the Ramea project is coming along as well. We are putting together a set of guidelines to aid in their share sales.

Enjoy the weekend,
Dan

Saturday morning

2005-08-20T07:43:00.000-03:00

I'll be heading to the Farmers Market co-op soon (where I've helped link them up with the Immigration and Co-ops research that CCEDNet and UVic are doing). It's a good spot to shop and eat, and also a good place to meet with clients such as Wendy Pobjoy (LEAP Project) and many of the Fair Trade and certified organic crowd (a co-op rich vein). Later on, I meet with folks from the Forest Stewards co-op. Yesterday saw the culmination of several months of network building as the go ahead was finally given to submit a Letterof Intent to ACOA's Atlantic Innovation Fund on behalf of a co-op led consortium. It was a week when we also received positive feedback about the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) research proposals in which the Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation (CWCF) is a significant partner and collaborator. The lawyer for the housing co-op project here in C'town called with an update on the research that he (and his summer students) have been doing. There are significant Provincial legislative hurdles to the strata title approach, but much hinges on the willingness of a financial institution to approve mortgages based on lengthy leases. We continue to explore ways to bring the project to fruition, but the September 06 closing date may need to be extended. The cricket co-op's incorporation documents should be signed at a meeting tomorrow afternoon if all goes to plan and there are two other amateur sport co-ops under discussion, one of which could be incorporated shortly. The DVD copy of the CBC-TV news story on the co-op project in eastern PEI is now in my possession and it is a great piece of PR for MYDAS, for the co-op sector and for the involvement of Youth in Community Economic Development. Once I get comfortable with the DVD burner on this machine, I shall make copies for our promotional tool-kit. Carole Findlay and Diedre were over on the Island two days ago. Carole had her two international visitors in tow, so the MYDAS three sat at a picnic table hashing out changes to the draft ACYL by-laws while the foreign duo caught some rays in the National Park. It was good to get out of the office, but we got some strange looks while trying to watch the computer screen in bright sunshine by draping towels from head to screen. Overall co-op prospecting and assistance continues. I had meetings this week with groups interested in forming a Soft Energy Path co-op, and a watershed co-op. The usual raft of inquiries and requests came in from existing co-ops, including public transit, agriculture and arts groups. As well, there was a good deal of communication and preparation for the CWCF year end (August 31). Kristi continues to follow up with some of the other PEI projects such as the African group, the UPEI MA students, LEAP, the Provincial wind energy initiative, the import-export mob etc. PEI is having to struggle along without Neal Gillis this week as he props up the German economy. We look forward to his safe return. I am hungry for market food, but even hungrier for news of your co-op development activities. Blog on!

Semaine 9 : Marc

2005-08-19T10:47:00.000-03:00

S’arrive fini ahh NON!!!

Well j’fini d’penser puis j’réalise qu j’ai point émi d’rapport lundi!

Sorry for that !

This week'S wrap up though is a continuity of last week’s objectives.
And by the way : Le 15 août était superbe.

Work this week : Relaxe…NOT usual

Worked on some propositions for the by-laws in Dieppe’s Coop
I met Donald Daigle, president of la récolte de chex nous ltée.
It was interesting to meet Donald because you don’t hear a lot of them farmers point of view, and his association is really gettting along in progress with the 26 members that he has to date.
I discussed the project that Léo LeBlanc had in mind, and Donald is very ‘’optimiste ‘’ about this project as well. SO I shall maybe be of assistance there.
One of my depute contacted me back, so I contacted him this week. We are trying to find a date to meet.
Worked a bit with the Coop in St-Paul. Made improving changes to the survey.

Well I’ll be working a little bit more this week-end, but next week promises to be relaxed as well !

Have fun y'All !

Marc

Wednesday night

2005-08-17T22:59:00.000-03:00

Hooked up to the Café Diem wi-fi on the warm, nocturnal streets of Charlottetown. The hubbub of exiting "Anne of Green Gables" patrons has subsided and now I am just awaiting my daughter's (Emma) exit from the Provincial Exhibition prior to heading homeward.

Carole Findlay is coming over to PEI tomorrow, along with Diedre. Carole has a morning meeting at CUC-PEI and then we shall all meet inthe p.m. Neal is away in Germany this week (lucky Köln) but Kristi should be able to sit in.

In an interesting synchronicity, I got a cell call earlier this evening from a Gander-based buddy asking if I could meet with a colleague of his who is in PEI investigating the wind power co-op project. The synchronicity came when my friend started to talk about the wind turbines on Ramea and explaining that it is a small Island off the NL coast...I was way ahead of him!

It looks as though many of us might be able to make a face-to-face "debriefing" on ugust 27/28, but the time is zooming towards us. I'll try to get some discussion time with Dan and see if we can suggest a time and place.

I know that I rarely blog on Mondays and Fridays, but my excuse is mostly that I like to see what everyone has posted. I encourage you to keep to the agreed upon timing as it makes communication easier. Please try to get the Report items in asap. I am particularly keen to see the photos!

I'll be out of the office all day for August 25, but will continue to check cell messages and office voicemail 24/7. Keep on developing those co-ops!

New Brunswick Gets its First Incorporation!! Congrats!!!!

2005-08-16T12:05:00.000-03:00

Congrats goes out to Erin who as we all know has been working like mad with the "Below the Ground Co-operative Limited" in New Brunswick and the incorporation has been finalized thanks to all of her hard work and guidance!! A job well done Erin!

Week 11/12

2005-08-16T10:30:00.000-03:00

Whoops.
Was in Tatamagouche all weekend and so did not blog at the end of last week.
Here's what happened:

Completed a one-page summary on Board governance for NSCC; Began to formulate questions
Met with Joanne Vitgood of CHFC about the World Cafe
Met with John Stewart, who is looking to start a theatre co-op
Met with Camille Dumond of the Heartwood Centre on Wednesday about the World Cafe
Met with Mel Gosse of the Credit Union Central on Thursday about the World Cafe; it went very well (w/t Matt)
Met with David Daughton and Matt on Thursday
Attended Tatamagouche Free School over the weekend and made a presentation.

Here's the plan for the coming week:

Attend the Healthy Minds Meeting on Wednesday
Along with NSCC, start sending out invitations electronically to co-ops for the World Cafe
Have an invitation printed up by week's end that can be sent through the mail. This design could also function as the flyer for the event
Have a rough questionnaire done up by week's end; perhaps meet with Fred Pierce in Truro about the governance tool
Get all material in for the MYDAS final report
Get in touch with Rolando Insenza of the CHFC
Make a presentation to AYCL participants on Friday

Any news on the debrief meet?

-stu

week 12

2005-08-15T22:45:00.000-03:00

Hello all

This week is looking quite promising with the ACYL incorporation rolling, i plan to work with Carole on her other ventures, like the up coming girls weekend in Canso Nova Scotia, which is shaping up to be a fun and educational weekend for all. From there ill be contacting the Nackawic group and will be discussing what they have in mind and the information i have found to start them off, i have done some research on them and their town and they look to be going in the right way cooperative style, which is always a bonus. Im planning on meeting with the Aberdeen group here in Moncton, on their multiuse coop and the different cultural events they put on throughout the year. Then there is always the end of the year reports to do, so it'll be a busy week, hopefully with some added bonuses ( because the Atlantic Seafood festival is in town and i hope to be volunteering my time for some taste testing). Anyway thats whats going on with me this week.
Everyone have a good week
Diedre

Week 12: Stephanie Hobbs

2005-08-15T11:58:00.000-03:00

Hello All, I entrust that everyone’s week is going very well. Dan and I are going to be very busy this week. We have to gather some information for Bev Kirby, Director of the Community Education Network, about worker co-ops and developing co-op programs in schools for youths.

We are also talking to Ramea and are considering going down there tomorrow, but once again they are not all around so we are not going to go there and have nothing to do. We should know later in the day if we are going or not.

We also have things planed with the wetlands co-op and will be visiting them soon. Codroy Wetlands are looking at getting in touch with the inactive members and seeing why they are not active.

We are also meeting with Ed Penney about the advertising bulliten for the Indian Head co-op.

WEEK 12: Matthew Petre

2005-08-15T11:20:00.000-03:00

Greetings,

All is well in Truro, and I am looking forward to the week.

Beginning the development of a webblogg for Fred Pierce of the NSCC to interact with members in his region
Doing some research on the management/operations side of Co-ops for Monica DiOchon from St. FX University
Awaiting feedback on the Funeral Home Co-operative Guide from the NSCC
Follow up with Healthy Minds
Work on the World Cafe Initiative

Happy Monday Everyone,
Matt

Wk 12

2005-08-15T11:17:00.000-03:00

Hello All,
This week is somewhat up in the air currently, we may be traveling to Ramea tomorrow morning and doing…well in fact we are not sure what we may be doing there. We will be making a final decision later today regarding if we will be going there or not. If we do not go to Ramea we will be meeting with the wetlands co-op in Codroy valley. No matter what we are going to do I promises to be a fun co-op week.

Enjoy,
Dan

WEEK 12: Kristi Kelly

2005-08-15T10:12:00.000-03:00

Hello everyone! I look forward to receiving everyone's reports today! Hurray!! Each week, our season comes closer and closer to an end - its hard to believe!

I am going to attempt to get ahold of Momo and crew with our first incorporation - we have not heard from them in a while and it would be nice to see what they have been up to!
This week, I am going to hoping meet with Wendy and the crew with the LEAP Project as they move closer and closer to incorporation!
I am attempting payroll alone this week... wish me luck folks. I plan on doing this all tomorrow so cheques will be out and about by the end of the week.
The final report will be my biggest project over the next couple of weeks, so it would be great if everyone keeps prompt on the delivery of the necessities!
Also, the ImpEx Cooperative seems to be progressing nicely, a couple more meetings and things should be a-ok to incorporate!
Lastly, this Friday is a holiday on good ol'PEI - so I am going to be sure to check out the Gold Cup and Saucer Parade and maybe even check out the new racino!

Okay everyone, enough from me! Have a great week and I look forward to our phone calls today!

week 11 end

2005-08-14T20:24:00.000-03:00

Hello all

Its sunday night, and im just finishing up some work, sorry for the late blog. Actually i got alot done on the ACYL incorporation the Bylaws are pretty much completed and corrected
, courtsey of David, Carole and Erin also the forms are pretty much all taken care of now alls there is to do is get the seal and NUANS report. Also approval from all the directors for the bylaws and forms and clear up any questions and loose ends, but all is going well with ACYL. I have also been doing lots of research on tourism cooperatives that work for rural areas, not much has been done from the Canadian view or any that I have found so far, however overseas is the hub for such cooperatives and there are plenty of success and unsuccess stories, that i have learned plenty from. This week i primarily focused on ACYL , meeting with Carole and going over other events she has planned and that im helping her with. And i have faxed the Coop Atlantic contact list to Kristie so she has it if anyone is interested, sorry it took me so long to get it out to everyone.
Any way thats all on my front
Diedre

Semaine 8 terminé : Marc

2005-08-12T21:15:00.000-03:00

Le 15 Août arrive !!!

Don’t expect to find me the 15th, I will be covered by flags, parades and many many FROLICs.

Work this week : Busy as usual.

Met Claire Gagnon and discussed certain items about coops and the Coop in Dieppe. We also discussed the youth’s place in the Coop movement.
I had a meeting with Norma Babineau, Murielle Boudreau and Martine Brideau for the recruitment comitee. I will establish over the next week a project to integrate young members.
I gave a call to Donald Daigle’s residence, wasn’t there the 3 times I called. I will try again after the Festival Acadien.
Contacted my local MP’s and the director of l’APÉCA. There could be possible meetings with their representatives in the next month.
Went to visit my local coop, and will shortly make a couple of changes to the survey following the members requests.
I finished my Essay ( Not too long because the most interesting weeks for me will be the upcoming ones..) I’ll be taking my picture tomorrow and correcting the draft, and I’ll sent it straight to ya Kristi.

I’ll also be working tomorrow and Sunday on finishing my project to submit to the recruitment committee for the new Coop in Dieppe.

Once again, a long long week, but the more we get there, the better it’s going for the incorporation !

Bonne fin de semaine et si vous avez la chance : écoutez les festivités de cette grande fête pour notre peuple qui se passe tout au long de la fin de semaine !

VIVE L’ACADIE et le 15 août, c’est le temps de fêter et nous fêterons…

Marc

Wrap Up Of Week 11: Matthew Petre

2005-08-12T19:20:00.000-03:00

Hello Everyone,

Its been a great week and it was really nice of David to travel over to Halifax to meet with Stu and myself.

Completed the Funeral Home Co-operative Guide and awaiting feedback
Met with Mel Gosse from CCU which was a great success
Followed up with Monica DiOchon from St. FX and she is possibly interesed in doing some research with respect to co-operatives
Completed My MYDAS Experience Essay
Worked on the World Cafe doing some research on Co-op Atlantic
Met with David
Inquired into how many jobs have been created with new co-ops developed, 10 part time and 3 full time so far, still waiting back on some responses
Updated my contact list

Hope everyone has a great weekend,
Matt

20051208 -Friday Blog

2005-08-12T13:19:00.000-03:00

Hi all,

Things are really picking up here in Wellington. As of today, several projects are well on their way. I will give a description of what I've done so far, because some interns are done, and I'm only half way through my internship, just to let everyone know what has happened.

-Chez Nous Seniors Home Coop: I am doing the accounting for them, and we had our first payroll run withouth a hitch. We're still working some bugs out of the accounting programs, but all is going well over there. Edgar is spending a lot of time with the old folks, whereas I am hiding behind a computer screen, where I am most comfortable, paying the bills :)

-Cooperative Service Jeunesse: This is the youth worker cooperative that I am acting as coordinator and secretary for. I built them a neato accounting program, and their first payday is today. They have made over 800$ in just a few weeks. We are also in the middle of planning a coop development day at Mill River Resorts, where the kids will teach other kids about coops, and then we'll all go for a pizza party and a swim. We went to work in Charlottetown on Wednesday for the East Coast Music Association.

-Festival Acadien: The CDC is the official sponsor for this festival and we are planning a major cooperative marketing campaign at this event. I have been planning a booth to represent all the coops, complete with information packages to give out to those in attendance. We have been in touch with the coops to get them to participate as much as possible with this campaign.

-Immigration project: This project is only in the planning stages right now. We are asking for funding to create a welcoming coop, and to have a resource person to help new french immigrants in the region. Right now, we are meeting with existing stakeholders, and trying to contact possible new partners that will be able to add to the project.

-Other stuff: Once I get all the information collected on the coops the CDC represents, I'm going to compile it to create a website for the CDC. Also along the way we will be publishing a newsletter to let the community know what the CDC has been doing, and what upcoming events we are planning.

As for Monday, I'm not sure if I will be in the office out of respect for la Fete d'Acadie, so I will do my Monday blog now.

Monday, I will probably catching up with some work at home and finishing off my MYDAS essay. For the rest of the week, I am planning to:

-more fun with accounting (fixing the computer at the Seniors Home)
-preparing an add for the "Voix Acadien" about the CDC's participation in le Festival Acadien
-meeting with the existing local committee in charge of promoting immigration, finishing off immigration proposal, and applying for funding
-planning the event at Mill River for CSJ
-meeting with CSJ as to their participation in the event at Mill River and le Festival Acadien
-start collecting and compiling information for local coops for website and le Festival Acadien

That's it for Erin

2005-08-12T12:32:00.000-03:00

Hi team,
This week and this summer has been super. Thanks to David, the group and the sponsors for allowing me to be part of something so awesome. I have learned so much. When reflecting on the beginning of the summer, we can really see how far we've come.

This week I was able to achieve all of my goals:
-met with VAC and tied up lose ends
-Met with Sue Rickards and gave her a package for the group in Nackawic
-Typed up ACYL bylaws and revised
-Tied up other items with other people
-finished reporting

And the grand finale...I am meeting in a short while to have an officer of oaths witness my signature and then all of the items for the incorporation of VAC to Below the Ground Co-operative will be completed! Yeah!

Take care and best of luck acheiving the rest of your goals!
Erin

Wrap up of Week 11: Kristi Kelly

2005-08-12T12:03:00.000-03:00

Well, another hot week!! Thank goodness for weekends!! This week proved to be quite exciting acutally here on lil'PEI:

Neal and I had an interview with CBC Television on Tuesday (before he disappear) and it was on the 6:oopm news - VERY EXCITING! We have a few sketchy tapes, but we will be making an order for the DVD soon so everyone can see.
We also found out that we were featured in both the Guardian and the Buzz, 2 popular Island newspapers - so I went on a hunt for them (and at least found one) - I am still working on the other
Helped Wendy out with some adminstrative type stuff for the LEAP cooperative project and we look forward to finishing up the incorporation sometime soon
Completed my "My MYDAS Essay" and edited the outline (and sent it out to all you folks)
Before Neal left, we managed to have the business cards ordered, and today I will pick them up so they can be sent next week with the payroll.

So yah, enjoy the weekend everyone, hopefully the nice hot weather will continue!

Important: Annual General Report Requirements!

2005-08-11T12:57:00.000-03:00

Hey folks, I hope all your essays are coming along nicely. Shortly you will be recieving an email with the outline of the AGR attached for your review. On the date of the 14th (or 15th) - when you submit you "My MYDAS Essay" can you also attach the following for the report:

Compiled tracking sheet as of the 14th of August (all your tracking sheets compiled into one)

Copies of any media releases sent out

Copies of any news articles or footage in regards to MYDAS (or notification that you have a copy of an article)

Updated Resume

Updated Community Listings (where you have worked, same idea as the last time, but a complete listing)

Updated Projects (cooperative worked with, a complete listing)

Incorporation Description (Summary of project, number of jobs created, number of members involved - around 100-150 words)

Another thing that we are looking for is digital photographs. Could each team be responsible for collecting a) a single photograph of each intern and b) some on the job action shots - as long as these are all sent before August 20th, it should be fine.

As you can imagine, this is going to be a very impressive document once compiled and we would appreciate your promptness and efficiency in sending in the required pieces.

Once completed, the document will be send out for your folks' approval, so the sooner you get stuff in, the sooner, we can get it out.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I look forward to receiving the required information!

Post-summer meeting

2005-08-10T11:50:00.000-03:00

Here is what I have received from people, There seems to be no time that is good for everybody so I will leave the question to the "brain-trust" as David and ask fro suggestions.

David after Aug 26th
Matt, before the 27th
Diedre after 20th
Kristi, before the 28th
Neal, after the 26th, the later the better though
Stu "I could meet Tuesday or Wednesday of the following week (Aug 16-17). The Sunday (21st) could also work.
I can meet the Wed, Thurs, Fri, or weekend of the following week (24-28)"
Steph, after the 28th
Dan, late august, the later the better.

Dan

Semaine Numéro 8

2005-08-09T19:29:00.000-03:00

I still can’t believe I will be a strategic advisor in the incorporation of the biggest coop grocery store in Atlantic Canada. It’s getting exiting!!!

Yeehaa vive les jeunes et le programme MYDAS

Other than my great joy and motivation for my job and holiday coming here are the goals set for this week :

Meet Claire Gagnon and discuss certain items about coops and the Coop in Dieppe.
Meeting with the recruitment committee for Dieppe’s new Coop. I shall also start to develop certain strategies for them and to join Youth into the cooperative Movement ( recruitment wise and the movement in general )
Try contacting Raymond Galland from l’APÉCA
For the time being with all the vacations, I will TRY to contact Donald Daigle for now
Contact my federal MP, Dominic LeBlanc and Mme Claudette Bradshaw.
Continue working with Gabriel and my local Coop

Write my Essay

Well plenty for the week, a preperation week for our National Holiday le 15 août !!!

VIVE L'ACADIE

Marc

Back on the other Island

2005-08-08T20:59:00.000-03:00

Howdy mainlanders,

The western Newfoundland foray was culturally and co-operatively rewarding. The decision to travel by m/cycle was originally made for reasons of economy, but the fun factor spin-off was an added bonus. When not beavering away with those hard-working Newfoundlanders, I rode the tires down to baldness on the nifty NF roads. At times, it seems that the *least* scenic parts of Newfoundland are even more attractive than the much-vaunted Cabot Trail. While in Stephanieville, we attended the “Save Our Mill” meeting. Before we could turn it into a worker co-op, the pesky New Brunswick government had made Abitibi an offer they liked better. You have all heard about the projects that Stephanie and Dan are working on, but it added to my own understanding to be able to see their office, meet their network of friends and supporters, and soak up the atmosphere “like a fish inside a bowl”.

On the return trip, I lucked onto an early boat out of Port aux Basques. “Lucked” may be overstating the case, as delays meant docking in North Sydney at 01:45 which – in turn – meant bedding down in the bushes of Big Pond at 02:30. This meant that I was in good time for my meeting with the CWCF contingent the following a.m. A personal best time from Big Pond to the ferry (2:03) got me onto the 16:30 boat which meant I actually made it home on my15th wedding anniversary…YAY…as Kristi might say

Other than the 275 e-messages that had built up, everything back on PEI was hunky-dory. I’m glad to be back, but looking forward to a brief off-Island visit to Stu and Matt later this week.

On the co-op front, Rideau Hall shot down the “Royal” designation, but the cricket co-op is still on the cards, the strata-title housing co-op project is supposed to close August 30, I head to a meeting of a French language CED co-op tomorrow a.m…
There are also Letters of Intent to write and the usual roster of reports, invoices etc to submit. We are in the “home stretch” and I really look forward to finishing the summer portion of the program with a flourish.
Don’t forget to let Dan know your debriefing possibilities. It’s a stretch, but I’m hoping we can put our heads/hearts together one more time in the same place/time. YAY…again.

WEEK 11: Matthew Petre

2005-08-08T16:08:00.000-03:00

Greetings All,

Looks like that Southern Ontario heat found us again in Atlantic Canada.

Stu and I are looking forward to meeting with David this week here in NS.
This will be a busy week, I will be:

Completing the Funeral Home Co-operative Guide for the NSCC
Meeting with Mel Gosse of Credit Union Central with Stu
Following up with Monica Diochon of St. F X University re: MYDAS
Complete My MYDAS Experience Essay
Work on the World Cafe, assembling a list of potential delegates from Central NS, making contact with Co-op Atlantic re: involvement
Inquiring into how many jobs have been created by co-operatives I have worked with this summer
Update contact list

Cheers,
Matt

Week 11

2005-08-08T14:23:00.000-03:00

Getting down to the wire.
Here's my week:

Complete a one to two page summary on the principles of Board Governance for NSCC, send it off to Bob and Fred for review; Begin to formulate questionnaire
Meet with CHFC on Tues aft
Meet with John Stewart, looking to create a theatre co-op in Hfx, tuesday morning
Meet with Camille Dumond of Heartwood on Wed
Set up meeting with Mel Goss of Credit Union of NS
Give Tata presentation on Thursday
Work on My MYDAS essay
Continue work on World Cafe

cheers,

-stuart

WEEK 11: Kristi Kelly

2005-08-08T12:14:00.000-03:00

Hello everyone!

Neal is leaving me... I am going to be terribly lonely and work will not even be close to being to the same quality, but some how I will desperately try to survive...

On a more serious note, this week we will be finalizing the ImpEx bylaws and hopefully having them reviewed and sent off for incorporation
Keeping into with the LEAP project, they are having some administrative, bylaw meetings this week and once completed... hello incorporation! This is an amazing project! We are very excited to be a part of it
I will be getting started on the Annual General Report - so keep your eyes on the blog to check out little things that we are going to make this report an amazing one!
Packages too, will be put together for all our Island MP's to get them hopping on the MYDAS train to see what we are all about!

The phone schedule is the same as last week! Have a great one folks and I look forward to talking with you all!

Friday and Monday August 8

2005-08-08T12:00:00.000-03:00

Hello all,

I have locked myself out of my office, so I will take this opportunity to blog while waiting for someone to come back from lunch. But I am starving and my lunch is in the office and it is not cool.

Two major things happened last week. I finished moving to PEI and I am almost all unpacked and settled, so my evenings and weekends will be no longer occupied. I also finished the mega-accounting file for the Seniors Coop, so hopefully that one coop will not be taking up so much of my time.

My apologies for missing the conference call on Friday. I was unavoidably out of the office untill noon. I will read over the minutes ASAP and e-mail any questions, comments I may have. Please feel free to contact me on any issue, as I have much more time now to work on other projects. I also set up an MSN account to communicate with the youth worker coop, so if anyone wants to reach me that way, feel free. My msn e-mail is iluv11rats@hotmail.com (dont ask).

Last week:
-As I said, last week I finished off the Chez Nous accounting program. This involved a lot of data entry, so it took up most of the week. I set up a computer at the seniors home so that accounting can either be done there, at the office, or at my home office. As I may be in either of those places, if you cannot reach me, try my cell at 902-393-1856.
-Meeting of the CSJ, the youth worker coop. We finalized our marketing efforts, opened a bank account at the credit union, and recruited two new members. The kids have had several jobs, and have already worked more than last years youth coop.
-Had the CSJ posters printed, and bought the last of the equipment for the Seniors Home.
-Paid the invoices, took in the rent for the Seniors Home.
-Received an e-mail in regards to the local radio coop. It seems the technical requirements are more substantial than we had planned, so back to the drawing board!

Plans for this week:
-Today I did the remittance to the government for the Seniors home for July, and started this weeks payroll.
-Planning to catch up on some typing of minutes, and some correspondance, and other administrative tasks.
-Planning a fun day for local kids, where the CSJ coop will teach them a little about cooperatives, and then they will all go for a swimming party and BBQ. Tentative date is the last week of August. The CSJ will set the agenda, I am just reserving the meeting space.
-Send off the immigration project for funding consideration.
-Driving the CSJ around so they can drop off flyers about themselves, and post them up at local stores and attractions.

As I said, my home office is set up, as well as the office at the Seniors Home, so I may be a little hard to track down, and I will be working from home a little more. Leave a message on my cell, and I will get back to you ASAP.

Thanks and have a good week,

Katie

Erin: Last week

2005-08-08T11:12:00.000-03:00

Hi there,
I've got lots to keep me busy on my last week here.

Send off package to ACOA
Type up and revise bylaws for ACYL (split between Diedre and I), see where we can get with it
Get all things tied up with VAC: incorporate this week, deal with forms and attend 2 meetings
Write essay/report
Meet with Sue Rickards about Nackawic
Answer questions from Adam with the SJ film group
Tie up loose ends with al other contacts and connect Diedre with remaining project persons

-Erin

Week 11ish: Neal

2005-08-08T09:35:00.000-03:00

So as I'm sure you all know, I am going to be heading to Germany (for World Youth Day) on Wednesday for two weeks. Therefor, I am only going to be working for two days this week, and this will probably be my last post until I get back after the 23rd. If I get to a computer in Germany, I will do my best to make a post or two to let you all know how I'm getting along.

Anyway, today and tomorrow will include:

Finishing my esssay for the final report

Hopefully seeing to and approving the business card proofs tomorrow

Helping Kristi with anything she needs before I head away

Well folks, I hope you all have a good couple of weeks co-oping it up here in Atlantic Canada. If I see any incorporation possibilities in Germany, I will do my best to get them on the tracking sheet.

Take care, and talk to you when I get home.

-Neal

week 11

2005-08-08T09:06:00.000-03:00

Good morning all

This week is shaping up to be a busy one. I plan on meeting with Bonnie Cambell of the YMCA social development program, because she's interested in knowing more on mydas and cooperatives, then maybe hear back from Peter H with some news on the aboringinal coop happening here in moncton. I'd also like to meet with teh Aberdeen cooperative group here in Moncton, becasue i hear there doing wonderful things with thre multiuse coop. In the near futrue (within today and tomorrow) ill be sending each of you Coop Atlantic contact list of cooperatives, with each interns respective province list first then the whole list, soorry i haven't gotten this to you earlier im have to write it out because i don't have a scanner. Also i look forward to working with Carole and Erin this week to get Acyl incorporated asap, and also research some ideas for the Nackawic group.

Hope everyone ejoys their week
Diedre

Week 10 Ender

2005-08-08T00:28:00.000-03:00

Here's a review of what was accomplished last week:

Worked on Governance Diagnostic Tool
Confirmed date and time for world cafe; sent out the first media advisory; completed a package to send to potential participants; did up a partial list of key co-ops to focus upon; began distributing the package
Arranged meeting with CHFC, Credit Union of Halifax
Continued work on HMC bylaws
Start "My Mydas" essay, participated in Conference call
Met with Dave Ron, finalized details of Tata free school presentation
Got in touch with members of AYCL of Heartwood Centre.

cheers,

-stu

week plan

2005-08-07T09:17:00.000-03:00

Hey Friends,
This is week has promise to be fun, Steph and I will be continuing the projects we have going and also meeting with people about a community network, should be very informative. We also met with the wetlands co-op and you can all expect a cry for help from us later this week when we have a better understanding of what they need.

Also last week it was great to have David here with us, one can forget what a great resource he is when he is not around you, but trust me friends he has the asnwers to your co-op questions.
Have fun,
Dan

2005-08-05T20:56:00.000-03:00

Hello everyone

It was nice to hear everyone this morning at the teleconference, it was interesting to get verbal updates on whats going on for everyone. This week for me was quite busy, i spent most of it in Fredericton, meetin with erin on Acyl incorporation issues and discussing hopefully new initiatives that will be developing in the near future. I have been working on the bylaws and with erins help the first draft shall be done in the very near future, so that Carole will have things to send away to the people in charge of funding Acyl, this weekend i plan on catching up on some work as well since i got a little behind in Fredericton because i didn't have a computer at my disposal, so ill be getting the coop atlantic list out soon, as well as working on some letters to my mp's, and doing up a draft for the Mydas essay due soon. So that sums up my week and weekend.

Hope everyone has a good weekend and gets to enjoy the sun
Talk to you all later
Diedre

finito semaine Numéro 7 : Marc

2005-08-05T18:58:00.000-03:00

Oh my god, we are growing old !!! I’m approaching the semaine numéro 10 !!!

I can’t believe I will be a strategic advisor in the incorporation of the biggest coop grocery store in Atlantic Canada. It’s getting exiting!!!

Here are a my accomplishments for this week

I am near done my reschearch for the rural vs urbain demographic changes in the Atlantic provinces. I’Ts a big whopper of a document let me tell you. But it is interesting as you learn the statistics being the economic realities of our Atlantic provinces.
Reunions were not that heavy, but I managed to have a chat with Vincent Poirier, one of my buddys working for the APÉCA. I have already met M. Raymond Gallant the chief for New-Brunswick’s APÉCA division. I shall try to have a meet with him in a different position. ( Not as le Président de la Fédération des jeunes francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick )
Have gotten the contacts for M. Donald Daigle, president of la cooperative horticole de la récolte chez nous Inc. I will try to schedule a meet whit him next week.
Met a lot of people from the city of Dieppe and educated them of my services. I will probably have another meeting with a ‘’gestionnaire’’ next week.
I also contacted my local ‘’députés’’ provincial. I shall try to contact my federal MP, Dominic LeBlanc and Mme Claudette Bradshaw next week.
I joined the Coopérative de Dieppe, comité de recrutement. I will mostly be focusing on initiatives that will help the Dieppe coop reach their desired 1200 members for incorporation.
Had a meeting with you guys today and am finnaly relaxing.

I will have a lot more meetings next week, but will try not to work to hard.

Tonight is Acadian night with CAYOUCHE, so I wish you all a good fin de semaine et puis :

---->> CHING CHING Calisse :)

Lol take care guys

Marc

Wrap up of Week 10: Matthew Petre

2005-08-05T17:48:00.000-03:00

Great to hear from all of you on the conference call today. I am definitely impressed to hear of all of the progress made around the region.

It has been a great week and:

Worked on the World Cafe proposal with Stu, as well as the media release
Completed a perspective and recommendation summary report for Bruce Cowie on the Community Credit Union (CCU's) Youth Strategy
Located local Truro MP's contact info and will be contacting him with a package as soon as the new business cards and brochures are completed
Received positive feedback from the interm co-ordinator/founder of Healthy Minds Co-op on the brochure I recently completed designing for them
Coming down the home stretch with the Co-op Funeral Guide

Have a great weekend everyone,
Cheers,
Matt

Wrap up of Week 10: Kristi Kelly

2005-08-05T16:20:00.000-03:00

Hello folks! It was great talking to you all this morning!!

This week Neal and I worked together to input our information into a brochure and website. Things are looking good, and we cannot wait to be able to show everyone.
We had several productive meetings with the LEAP Cooperative project and it looks like an incorporation is in the near future!! Hurray! It is a great project and it is going to do great things!
We stopped in and checked out the Cardigan Craft Cooperative which was a neat experience all on its own
Working away on the Annual General Report, the outline is finished, and once approved, then I can send it out for everyone to take a look at

That's it from me folks! Have a great weekend and talk to you Monday!

Week 10 wrap-up: Neal

2005-08-05T13:21:00.000-03:00

Heyas,

It was great to talk to/hear from everyone during the conference call today. Glad to hear everyone is getting along well... David: the internet in your office is out again. I'm working now from Timothy's downstairs (great egg salad for all those who are interested).

This week involved:

Working on the MYDAS Summer essay, as I have to get it done before I go away

I did up and mailed out the payroll

Met with Wendy on the LEAP project twice (this took up all of Thursday). In this meeting we had to actually had to encourage her not to incorporate... well that's not completely true. We encouraged her to incorporate one master co-op rather than a dozen different co-ops in attempt to make things less expensive and more efficient

Got all of my stuff cleaned up so that Kristi can run the boat by herself

The conference call this morning

Hope you all have a great weekend... keep it real.

-Neal

Erin: Penultimate Week Wrap up

2005-08-05T12:00:00.000-03:00

Hi everyone,
This has been a busy week. As most of you know, I'm starting a new job soon and I'm working hard to wrap everything up for the program.
This week Diedre and I met to discuss ACYL incorporation and we even met with Claire Gagnon to ask her some questions about it and about other projects. I've been in contact with the VAC and we've been changing and discussing the feedback from Claire, plan to sign the papers Sunday night and resubmit next week! We viewed the video and will discuss with Claire soon.Today I'll be finishing up some things for VAC, starting the MYDAS essay, send letter and package to ACOA and wrap up other items.
Have a great weekend,
Erin

SEMAINE 7 et une coop en vue ;)

2005-08-02T15:46:00.000-03:00

Semaine No 7 pour Moi !!!

Excuse me for the late blog, I took Monday off ? I don’t know if we were suppose to ?

Sa fait j’va continué a aidé sa qui est déjà créé !

Continué ma recherche sur le coté Rurale vs Urbain. Recherche mené pour l’APÉCA par un ancien prof de l’U de M

Continué a prendre des réunions, cette semaine :

La ville de Dieppe et la nouvelle Coop de Dieppe.

Continuation d’aide avec ma coop local, sé fou comment sa va ben guys !

La, sa fera pour cette semaine de travail !

Bonne semaine tout le monde

Marc

week 10

2005-08-02T09:57:00.000-03:00

Hey everyone,
for all those nbers who had a holiday yesterday hope you enjoyed it, this week im in Fredericton for a couple of days to met with Erin about the Acyl incorporation, which is going turtle speed, because this whole regionaly/federally incorporation papers have me going in circles, but hopefully like the story goes the turtle will get to the end slow and steady without any mistakes. Anyway this weekend i was able to met with Carole and go and help at one of the programs she puts on for youth, which gave me a further insight to how the program is run and now i can proceed more with the incorporation of it. Last week Leo Leblanc of Coop Atlantic was nice enough to give me a listing of mostly all coops under Coop Atlantic and there contact info, so im going to type them up and if anyone would like a copy just message me, and ill send them your way. This week is basically more contacting people and waiting for them to come back from vacation so ill have some meeting set up in the near future, for the moment my focus is on the Acyl program and giving Carole has much help as i can.

Well thats it for me for now
hope everyone has a good week
Diedre

Week 10

2005-08-01T17:03:00.000-03:00

Natal greetings,
Goals for the coming week:

Complete all necessary for board governance for the new assignment from NSCC. Write up a short summary of the principles of good governance for boards
Confirm a location for the World Cafe; begin soliciting restaurants and others for food; do up a short media advisory; complete a package of materials on the event to deliver to co-ops; do up a full list of key participants to focus upon for this event, and begin to set up meetings.
Continue work on Healthy Minds by-laws, continue working on a brief backgrounder to governance principles.
Contact the ACOA office and see about possible meeting times for the event
Meet with Dave Ron of Maritime Biodiesel Co-op to collaborate on a presentation for Tatamagouche Free School
Review the by-laws of Solidarity Boots

cheers,

-stu

Week TEN: Neal

2005-08-01T11:34:00.000-03:00

Hey everyone,

Week 10 post here. Time flies when you're having fun!

This week's tasks will include:

Meeting with Wendy Pobjoy on Thursday afternoon/evening about her LEAP projects

Get the payroll done up and out

Get the finishing touches on everyones business cards and see about getting them to the printers.

See about meeting with MPs regarding the MYDAS program

Get to work on the "My MYDAS Summer" essay.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. Talk to you all soon.

-Neal

WEEK 10: Matthew Petre

2005-08-01T11:14:00.000-03:00

Time is definitely flying by,

Last week Stu and I were able to make some tremendous progress with the Forum/World Cafe concept. This truly looks like it will be a promising event if we get a decent turn out. This week I will be:

Work on World Cafe initiative
Review Credit Union Youth Strategy Material
Contact Truro MP regarding MYDAS
Work on Funeral Co-op Guide

Cheers,
Matt

WEEK 10: Kristi Kelly

2005-08-01T10:46:00.000-03:00

Week 10 already?! Wow...

For this week:

Meetings with Wendy! Neal and I will be spending some time in Montague meeting with individuals in regards to the LEAP project and the development of a cooperative(s)
We are also looking into taking some time to meeting with our Island MP's to let them know about some of the cool projects we have been working on over the past few months
Progress continues with the importing/exporting cooperative, work still needs to be done with the bylaws!
Payroll goes out this week! Hurrah!! Look forward to those pay cheques folks!

That's it from me! Have a great week folks... just a reminder: The phone schedule stays the same as last weeks - during the day! I look forward to talking with you all!

Teleconference Call: Friday, August 5th, 2005

2005-08-01T10:44:00.000-03:00

Reminder of the Friday teleconference call this Friday, August 5th, 2005 at 11:30am. An agenda will be emailed out a little later in the week.

Wk 10:Erin

2005-08-01T10:41:00.000-03:00

Hi there,
So is it a holiday for everyone? I have the urge to work anyway, so I'm just going to go ahead...and don't try to stop me (well, you could). Anyway, I feel eager about the projects, so I want to get going with them this week.
The plan:

meet up with Diedre to get moving with ACYL incorporation
deal with feedback from Claire on VAC bylaws and resubmitt
view a video from Claire (as per her request) and if appropriate, try to get it on cable for co-op week
Look for funding for film co-op
continue research for Steve and group in Nackawic
Oh, I forgot to mention that last week I wrote and letter and sent a little package for our MP here and I hope to get in touch with the ACOA person here this week
Follow-ups

Cheers,

Erin

"My MYDAS Experience..." Essay

2005-08-01T10:34:00.000-03:00

Hi folks! As David mentioned, August is now here, and this marks the last month of our internships. One side project, that needs to be completed (and will included in the MYDAS Worker Cooperative Annual Report) is a "My MYDAS Experience Essay" - the outline is as follows:

How the program allowed you to develop personally
How the program made significiant changes in the communities you worked in
How the program was a success (in your eyes)

1 to 2 pages should be fine (and feel free to write in either french or english) - this is due in 2 weeks time (Monday, August 14th, 2005)

If you have any questions or concerns... please feel free to contact me. Thanks!

pre-departure for NL

2005-07-31T23:15:00.000-03:00

OK, it’s Sunday night and I am scheduled to leave at the crack o’ dawn on Monday in order to get to Cape Breton for the ferry to Newfoundland. Last week onPEI saw good progress on a couple of sports team co-ops as well as with the strata-title housing co-op that Diedre has been helping me with. The submission of the Quarterly Report lifted a weight off my mind, but the deadline for ACOA Letters of Intent is looming at the end of August. Tomorrow is the first day of August, which means that most of you are entering the final month of this phase of the MYDAS internship program. I hope that you are able to work towards completion of the goals that we set at the initial orientation. I shall be aiming to visit all of the worksites over the next couple of weeks so I look forward to seeing you all. We’ll talk about a possible group debriefing on Friday’s call. Have a good and productive week!

Almost August - presqu'août

2005-07-30T15:01:00.000-03:00

The paat week I lucked into a ride to Moncton that coincided with the day that Diedre and Marc were scheduled to meet with Léo Leblanc at Co-op Atlantic. I sat in on part of that meeting and then Diedre, Marc and I met with Carole Findlay over lunch.

Oops...sitting in a wi-fi café that closes at 3 p.m. They are kicking me out. More later.

David D.

week9

2005-07-29T23:16:00.000-03:00

Hey everyone

This week has been a busy one for me, i spent most of the week working on the incorporation forms for Caroles Youth leadership program, i met with David and Marc, and we went to a meeting with Leo Leblanc who supplied me with quite a list of coop atlantic cooperatives that i might find useful. Then in the afternoon Muriel from Coop Atlantic was nice enough to give Marc and myself a tour and introduce us to quite a few of the people that work there. Then i met with Carole finley again we went over some interesting plans she has coming up for her program in the near future and discussed the bylaws, which currently im still revising and probably will be into the weekend.
Thats pretty much going on with me
have a good long weekend everyone
Diedre

Week 9 (Happy Natal Day!)

2005-07-29T17:28:00.000-03:00

Holy busy week, batman!
Here's the rundown:

Met with by-law committee of the HMC, did a bit of research on "dual quorums" and finished up a draft of their final bylaws to go before their AGM in the fall. Also attended the HMC general membership meeting on Wed, and their Board meeting that evening
Met with Bob and Matt at NS co-op council about the Co-operator World Cafe. A proposal (for funding) has been written, and will either be sent off this weekend or monday morning. We're looking to spill over into the fall, and hold the event on September 16th in Halifax. I've also gotten free coffee and tea for the event from Justus.
Met with Bob about the Governance tool. Turns out I had been given the completely wrong idea, and that I now have to start a new project (basically a Carver/Beyond Carver governance questionnaire) completely anew. Communication. Error.
Attended the AFCOOP director's meeting with Ric Turner, then told him my time was limited for helping with his project.
Met with Bruce Cowie with Matt in Truro. He showed some interest in the world cafe and gave a few names for me to follow up with.
Held perhaps the last ever session of Halifax Free School, and did a presentation on the basics of starting a co-op. Some folks looking to start up an artists co-op of heavy metal musicians were really keen. They were awesome.
Met with Fiona Talbot-Strong, referred to me by John Ure. Gave immensely helpful suggestions in organizations and groups to approach for the Co-op World Cafe.

That's it! Enjoy your weekend everybody.

-stu

an early Monday blog

2005-07-29T13:51:00.000-03:00

Monday is some sort of government holiday. I'm not really sure why. I wanted to come in and get a head start on the week but they are like waxing the floors or something. So here is my Monday blog a little bit early.

1.Monday, I will put my day off of the office to good use (hopefully) and do some research on some of the projects David set me up with.
2. The youth worker coop is heading to Charlottetown to help paint a daycare, so I will have to track them down and see how it went and make sure everything is going well. We are having a meeting some day this week to finish off our marketing. Look for our ad on community cable!
3. David may have mentioned this to you all, but if any one needs any help dealing with government agencies, boards, commissions and departments, just let me know, and if I don't know the answer I'll get it for you.
4. I'm not sure what Edgar has planned for me next week, but if there is not too much going on I will start some of my research projects: francophone immigration, bird sanctuary coops, value-added local food products and rural development.
5. As always, more fun with accounting.

Friday Blog

2005-07-29T13:37:00.000-03:00

This week I did a bunch of stuff:

1. Met with local immigration officials today and yesterday. It finally looks like we may do something real and concrete with this file, so if anyone has any resources they want to hook me up with, feel free.
2. More fun with accounting and administration of the retirement coop.
3. Submitted renovation plans for the craft coop to the province for funding.
4. I took Wednesday off because things were slow, so Saturday and/or Sunday I will have more fun with accounting and get some typing and stuff done.
5. Really just did a lot of finishing off things that are sitting on Edgar's desk waiting for the ok: press releases for the youth coop and the new sign at Day's corner, the community newsletter is ready for printing, the coop list got sent off, and the filing and organizing is all done.
6. The kids from the youth worker coop worked all week digging holes for the new seniors housing coop, and they were all muddy and sweaty and it was funny. ha. poor kids...

Wrap up of Week 9: Kristi Kelly

2005-07-29T13:28:00.000-03:00

Another week is over! Holy Cow! This week was pretty good, no major meetings or anything. But a lot of administrative stuff has been taken care of.

In regards to the cricket cooperative, our request went from the Lieutant Governor's House, to Rideau Hall in Ottawa for the Governor General to approve - then off to Buckingham Palace!! Crazy eh? I was joking around in saying that I may even be able to get the Queen on my tracking sheet!
Initial meetings are now set up for the Importing/Exporting Cooperative and things are looking very impressive.
Neal and I are in full "spread the MYDAS word" mode and while he plans our trip across the island, we are looking into setting meetings up where we can.
We are also creating and editting some new promotional material that should come in handy - and boy oh boy do the business cards look great! Make sure you thank Neal for that one!

That's it from me, everyone have a great weekend and keep an eye open for a teleconference email for this up and coming Friday. Peace!

Wrap Up of WEEK 9: Matthew Petre

2005-07-29T11:36:00.000-03:00

Happy Friday Everyone,

Glad to report that the week was productive and:

Met with Bob Williams (NSCC) and Stu regarding the Co-op Forum and we are pushing forward with one forum in the HRM area to centralize efforts and it is planned to take place in mid September
Stu and I met with Bruce Cowie from the Community Credit Union (Colchester), and MYDAS Nova Scotia is providing advisory services to the CCU with regards to their youth strategy in the region! Hoping to get them on as a supporter of the Co-op Forum as well!
Attended Healthy Minds Co-op meeting in Dartmouth which went very well, impressed with their progress to date
Phamphlet design for Healthy Minds is complete and will be sent to one of their members who used to have a graphic design/printing business
Worked on the Co-op Funeral Guide
Have not heard back from Rejean Laflemme from CCC regarding Funeral Co-ops in Quebec as of yet

Cheers,
Matt

Erin.End Wk 9

2005-07-29T10:37:00.000-03:00

Hi there,
Workwise, this week went pretty well. I was able to finalize te bylaws with the VAC and submit them to Claire Gagnon for feedback. I finished the pamphlet for Leadership Fredericton and sent it to them. I followed up with Adam Cameron with the film co-op project. I contacted a person who wanted to discuss a fair trade shop, but I'm waiting to hear back from her.

I would still love to get some feedback from you about neat tourism ideas for rural areas.

The Co-operator article is now done (thanks to your help) and submitted.
I have more research and touch ups to start next week with and more will come up.
Have a great weekend,
Erin

Week Niner: Neal

2005-07-29T08:28:00.000-03:00

Hello friends,

Hope all is well with everyone. This is what I did:

Worked on getting peoples business cards made up... They're looking pretty good, and I'm planning on stopping by Kwik Kopy today to get a price (Stu, I still need your info)

Worked on the template for a simple MYDAS brochure. It's quite graphic intese, so we may have to have it professionaly printed (if printed at all).

As part of David's "get the word out about MYDAS" scheme, I've been secretly developing a MYDAS webpage that can be used for all people who just want to come and see what it's about (since the blog is for our own personal use).

I'm swing by MYDAS HQ today to get the remittance figured out, and hopefully dropped off today, so long as one of David's other office buddies didn't do it already.

Hope everyone is doing great. Thanks for sending in your business card info so far.
Talk to you soon!

-Neal

La FOire Brayonne Menomme ! Semaine nono 6 finito

2005-07-29T06:36:00.000-03:00

Wow, quelle grande grande semaine !
Une chance que la fête du Nouveau-Brunswick et la fête des Acadiens arrivent a grand pas.

Débuté une recherche sur le coté Rurale vs Urbain. Recherche mené pour l’APÉCA par un ancien prof de l’U de M. I know it may seem stupid, but the cooperative world really works well in rural communities because you need the cooperation of the whole community to gain certain services, or goods that would run with no problems in the urban areas with the capitalist movement. Like I said at the Coop Atlantique’s A.G.M. the cooperative movement is the key for the well being of our rural communities. Combining youth and cooperation can bring many things into rural places. And considering that the Atlantic provinces consists of a démographie de 50 % rurale. Le mouvement coopératif compte beaucoup sur le Canada Atlantique.

The research is really helpful in understanding the brain drain and the urbanization of our Atlantic provinces. Same as for the exiles of Atlantic Canada into the other provinces. ( your a special case Mat !!!)

Other news :

I have found that contacting people is hard because everybody is on vacation !

But I did manage to meet Léo LeBlanc with Diedre and David.

I also met Norma Babineau from St-Charle-de-Kent.

It would be the coincidence that the project that Melvin was suggesting for me to help the CDR-Acadie would be the new coop in Dieppe witch isn’t incorporated yet. The project is also guided by guess who ?

Mme Belle Eau de St-Charles-de-Kent. What a small world !
I will certainly aid in developing strategies for the coop to gain youth’s attention and membership.
I will be meeting Jacque Lapointe’s assistant today in St-Léonard to teach to her about cooperatives and get a follow up of Jacque’s big plans for a forum on French rural immigration.
I finished the pamphlet for my local coop in St-Paul. The survey is going great, I have the best relationship with Gabriel, we are working greatly together and guess what ? the Coop Sales are at an all time high in St-Paul, so this means… We must be doing something right. I will continue with the Marketing development in my Coop.
Even though I had a rough conversation with Melvin, I will continue to use my forces to help the MYDAS team with the CDR’s cooperation.

Bonne fin de semaine tout le monde !

Moi, Erin puis Diedre se méritent lundi ‘’OFF’’ n’est-ce pas les filles ?

Marc

Week 9: Stephanie Hobbs

2005-07-26T09:28:00.000-03:00

I got caught up and forgot to blog yesterday, therefore I blog today. Better late then never they say. I hope everyone is doing well and keeping busy.

Newfoundland land has a few things planed for the week. Most of the stuff planed will be taking place outside meeting and on our own.

We are still completing the five year plan for Indian Head
We are now looking at a new market strategy for the Indian Head, targeting 77 people through the use of the co-ops monthly bulletin. This has a lot to do with market segregation.

We are also getting ready to meet with the Hemlock Farm to present Co-op, thanks to David and Kristi we have a good idea about agricultural farms.

We are also putting some ideas together for a power point presentation for the NLFC’s AGM that is scheduled for Spet30 and Oct 01 at the Holiday Inn in St John’s.

Have a good day. Keep smiling

Stephanie Hobbs

week 9

2005-07-25T22:04:00.000-03:00

Hello everyone

This week brings a meeting with Leo Leblanc with Marc on wednesday morning, hopefully getting more contacts and info from Leo, so that is very exciting. More work inregards to incorporating the ACYL program with Carole Findley, which is quite the process considering were incorporating it Federally and not provincially so if anyone has any suggestions ill be more then happy to take them, im just a little lost, but David and Kristie have been very resourseful and helpful in leading me in the right direction. Also this week brings contacting the list of people Carole gave me about possible coop projects they may have in the works. Well that sums up my week pretty much.
Hope everyone has a good week
Diedre

semaine 6

2005-07-25T20:04:00.000-03:00

La semaine suivante et voici mes buts :

Débuté une recherche sur le coté Rurale vs Urbain. Recherche mené pour l’APÉCA par un ancien prof de l’U de M

Try getting contacts from my data bank on people who would like to start a coop. I will especially try to contact the following people:

Divers Ministère du Gouvernement du Nouveau-Brunswick

Meet Léo LeBLanc and give Diedre a tour of the Coop Atlantic Building.

Meet Jacque Lapointe in St-Léonard.

I ‘m also gonna be working on a pamphlet for my local coop in explaining the basics of a coop.

Continue working with leads from the CDR-A

Bonne semaine tout le monde

Merci

Marc

Week number 9

2005-07-25T18:48:00.000-03:00

Hey folks,
Time's a-flyin'
Goals for the coming busy week:

Meet with HMC committee for editing the final by-laws to present before the general membership after the interim period is up; HMC Board mtg on Wednesday.
Meet with Bob Williams and Matt regarding the NS co-op forum; Along with Matt, meet with Bruce Cowie of the Credit Union Central to discuss this same issue, as well as the credit union's youth strategy
After contacting key participants, nail down a date for the Co-op Forum
Finalize meetings for boards for Eric Turner's governance research: AFCOOP (done), Justus Coffee, Co-op boards in the Evangeline.
Continue work on a Board governance guide for HMC
Halifax Free School Presentation on Thursday; finalize MYDAS presentation for Tatamagouche Free School (check it out at freeschool.fairtrademedia.com)

cheers all,

-stu

25/07/05 Monday

2005-07-25T11:45:00.000-03:00

Hi all

-Today I am meeting with the CSJ, the youth worker coop to discuss some upcomming events
-Edgar and I will also be working on a new filing system
-I will be finishing off a few projects that are due on wednesday (co-op phone list/immigration proposal)
-I will possibly be starting a website for the CDC
-David Daughton mentioned visiting sometime on Thursday
-I am hoping to get the CDC newsletter published by Friday, depending on how the week goes.

WEEK 9: Matthew Petre

2005-07-25T10:32:00.000-03:00

Good Morning Everyone,

Time to begin another week in co-op land...

Meeting with Bob Williams from the NSCC and Stu regarding the Co-op forums/World Cafes for Halifax and Central NS (Truro)
Meeting with Bruce Cowie from Community Credit Union regarding their youth strategy
Attending Healthy Minds Interm Board meeting and Forum on mental health records
Working on promotional material for Healthy Minds...hoping to create a design I am happy with
Work on Funeral Co-op guide...follow up with Rejean Laflemme from CCC in Ottawa

Cheers,
Matt

Week 9 - Neal

2005-07-25T09:17:00.000-03:00

Hey people,

Hope everyone had a good weekend. Here's the plan for the week:

Make contact with Wendy at the LEAP project and figure out what she's looking for in a website. Possibly start making a site for her

Get our payroll spreadsheet up to date and get our remittance figured out

Hopefully work with Kristi on the bylaws for her import/export co-op

Contact some island co-ops about offering them some advisory services, as most of our efforts to date have been in new co-op development.

Look in to getting a deal on fancy dancy business cards

Hope everyone has an awesome week... Stay golden, Ponyboys.

-Neal

Mobilizing Youth for the Delivery of Advisory Services (MYDAS)

Youth Co-op Links

International Building Co-operative Futures Youth Conference

Hello! Bonjour!

De Retourrrrre

Update for the week of October 16-22

Big Update

thank you all

Labour Day soon

The End: Neal

Final Week

WEEK 14: Kristi Kelly

Dernière...

last week

final week Blog

The very last week: Stephanie Hobbs

Final Week: Neal

WEEK 14: Matthew Petre

Plans for next week

End of Week wrap up

Wrap up of Week 13: Matthew Petre

End of Week 13 Post. Neal

Rapport de la semaine 10

Week 13

Wk 13, wrap-up

midweek blog

Back on the Island

Hello from Wellington (finally)

Semaine 10 : Marc

WEEK 13: Matthew Petre

Week 12/13

Week 13: Kristi Kelly

Week 13

August 31 approaches

Wrap up of Week 12: Matthew Petre

Week 12

Wrap up of Week 12: Kristi Kelly

Wk wrap-up

Saturday morning

Semaine 9 : Marc

Wednesday night

New Brunswick Gets its First Incorporation!! Congrats!!!!

Week 11/12

week 12

Week 12: Stephanie Hobbs

WEEK 12: Matthew Petre

Wk 12

WEEK 12: Kristi Kelly

week 11 end

Semaine 8 terminé : Marc

Wrap Up Of Week 11: Matthew Petre

20051208 -Friday Blog

That's it for Erin

Wrap up of Week 11: Kristi Kelly

Important: Annual General Report Requirements!

Post-summer meeting

Semaine Numéro 8

Back on the other Island

WEEK 11: Matthew Petre

Week 11

WEEK 11: Kristi Kelly

Friday and Monday August 8

Erin: Last week

Week 11ish: Neal

week 11

Week 10 Ender

week plan

finito semaine Numéro 7 : Marc

Wrap up of Week 10: Matthew Petre

Wrap up of Week 10: Kristi Kelly

Week 10 wrap-up: Neal

Erin: Penultimate Week Wrap up

SEMAINE 7 et une coop en vue ;)

week 10

Week 10

Week TEN: Neal

WEEK 10: Matthew Petre

WEEK 10: Kristi Kelly

Teleconference Call: Friday, August 5th, 2005

Wk 10:Erin

International
Building Co-operative Futures Youth Conference