Alberta Launched the International Year of Co-operatives with much vision and vigor.  There were 9 sites throughout Alberta including Priddis, St Isidore, Red Deer, Stony plain, High River, Strathcona County , Lloydminster and two in Edmonton.  These sites were all linked by webcast to a national launch from Ottawa followed by a provincial launch from The Calgary Farmer’s Market in Calgary.  Around 500 people participated in these launches throughout Alberta. Offices of The Co-operators also hosted in house celebrations. Connections were made with Alberta political leadership; Minister Jonathan Denis brought greetings from the provincial government at the Calgary Farmers’s Market.  Upon arriving at the energetic , high tech, bustling launch scene at the Calgary Farmer’s Market he was heard to exclaim, “ I didn’t think this was going to be such a big deal”.    To which we can all reply, “YES!  Co-ops are a bigger deal than people think!’   And indeed that is what this year is all about; sharing exactly what a big deal Co-ops are!!!

If you were not able to participate in the launch there are a number of ways you can catch the energy that was generated.

• Talk to someone who was involved
• Visit the Alberta Co-op Cafe and follow the links to numerous articles by Axiom news on the launch and co-ops.
• View the first version of the Alberta IYC video on this website or through the Alberta Co-op Cafe
• Read the International Year of Co-operatives poem by Mary Pinkoski on the ACCA website.  A You Tube version of Mary reading the poem will soon be available. 
• Watch the launch
• Look at the Photo gallery

The ACCA Summer Co-operative Youth Leadership Program was a great success!!!  1000+ A-FRAME warm fuzzies, 275+ WONDERFUL particpants, 55 FABULOUS volunteers, 7 WICKED staff teams, 2 AMAZING assistants, 1 MAGICAL place!!! Thanks to everyone- Participants, Volunteers, Parents, Sponsors, Goldeye Centre. It was a FANTASTIC summer!!!

Team Building

Participant Quotes from 2011 

“An important thing to me being at this program is how it is such a safe place to be yourself.  Everyone accept you for who you are and you end up sharing a great connection with these people.”

“This leadership program has changed me to become a new and more confident person.”

“This program is my favourite place to be in the world and I look forward to coming back each year.”

“Facing my new and old fears and overcoming them was another skill that was practiced. I was able to love myself because I was able to share my fears and get help to overcome them.”

“I have learned a lot about how agriculture is a part of just about everything in our lives, like what we eat and what we wear. I also learned about the value of good communication and co-operation among a group, along with how to set good goals.”