Coop Video2.dv

Credits, and "What the Co-op Difference Means to me"
* Videographer and photographer: Hazel Corcoran (team lead)
* Song by Greg O'Neill, performed by Greg O'Neill and the Big Idea Band
* Video technician: Alex Lamoureux
* Other photography, art and assistance: Bernie Amell, Adrian Yip, other friends, and public domain

WHAT THE CO-OPERATIVE DIFFERENCE MEANS TO ME, by Hazel Corcoran

The Co-operative Movement includes over 1 billion members -- yet it's often called the world's "best-kept secret". We have to get out the message of co-operatives!

First let me tell you a little about myself:
I work for a co-operative organization (Canadian Worker Co-op Federation: www.canadianworker.coop).
I live in a co-housing co-op. (Prairie Sky).
I shop at, patronize and participate in many co-ops (Calgary Co-op, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Just Us!, Cocoa Camino chocolates, Northern Star aboriginal blankets, First Calgary Savings and Credit Union, etc. etc. etc).
When my children were young I participated in the local babysitting co-op, and all of us made new friends.
I belong to a car-sharing co-op so that I can help lessen my environmental footprint.
I am on a planning committee for a funeral co-op -- though I don't plan to use that one for a long time.
Through my work, I help other people start co-ops and support those who help develop new co-ops (CoopZone: www.coopzone.coop).
And, I have a pretty wonderful life.

What does the Co-op Difference mean to me?
Co-ops are about community, sustainability, helping to meet each others' needs, making the world a better place, bringing inspiration and hope -- including where there may be little hope. They work in the global South and in the North. They help meet the needs of people of all financial means. They are especially powerful for groups of people whose needs are not being met by the mainstream economic system and otherwise may not have a lot of power -- as schools of democracy, and participating in the socio-economic life of the community. But if you get engaged, I think you will find that they help to make your life better -- at a minimum by helping you make connections to people in your community. Co-ops mean people, together.

If you are interested in getting engaged in the co-op movement, there are thousands of ways to get involved. Join a co-op, shop at a co-op, do your banking at a credit union, obtain insurance and other services from a co-op, bring people together to start a new co-op, help others develop co-ops. Go to a co-op or credit union AGM. Run for the board of your co-op or credit union.

The UN has proclaimed 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives (http://social.un.org/coopsyear/) .
Time for a global coming out party so that we're not longer the world's Best-kept Secret!!!

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• co-op
• co-operative
• justice

[oddiedodie]

what kind of life will I lead...

[patguyn]

Great work guys!