Co-operative Youth Learn From Executive Director

With registrations opening in less than 60 days, ACCA’s Co-operative Youth Leadership Program is set to place at the Goldeye Centre between the June 29 - July 23, 2019. We look back on the Roundtable Interviews program participants carried out in 2018 in a new 2 part series.

The 2019 program will see well over 200 rural and urban youth descend on Nordegg to learn about co-operatives and develop leadership skills which are encouraged to be used in the working world.

The oldest cohort of these youth graduate from the program that they have spent the last 3 or 4 summer’s involved in. One of the highlights of the ‘Grad Week’, is the chance for Grads to put their new skills to the test by sitting down and quizzing some esteemed professionals from the co-operative sector and rural businesses in a roundtable setting. In the first of a two-part series, the ACCA’s very own Executive Director Michele Aasgard had the pleasure of taking questions and conversations with Graduating youth Samantha, Robyn, and Garnett.

Q: How did you first get involved in the co-operative movement?

It was back when I was 15, I was involved in the pre-teen co-operative youth leadership program and if I remember correctly it was huge - there was 110 people in my program and about 50 program counselors who came up with us. My 2 older brothers came up to Nordegg with me as we were sponsored by the co-op, but my younger sister still says today ‘why couldn’t I come to the program’. I only got to come to the program for one year, but it was a life changing experience - a week of confidence building that really changed my life and shaped my path as a 15-year-old. As you know, the biggest difference was the way our counselors worked on our self-esteem, as what that did for us emotionally was to let us go out and believe that what we were doing is the right path.

Q: Tell us about the ACCA?

We are a provincial association and voice of all the co-operatives and credit unions in Alberta. We work a lot to educate the public – especially the government – as it is important for them to recognize what a co-operative is, and the economics behind them; how much money the co-operative movement puts back into communities and what it does in terms of economic value for the province. We also help communities develop by introducing local businesses to the co-op model, which involves education on what it means to be a co-op and how to incorporate. During this education, we highlight some very unique co-operatives here in Alberta - UFA Co-operative Ltd, Servus Credit Union and Federated Co-operative Ltd. are good examples - as well as having the largest gas co-op in the world right here in Alberta. We work with these co-operatives as our members to create and support educational experiences in their sectors, as at the end of the day, our members want more people to become members in their own co-operatives.

Q: At this program, most of us are sponsored to come here. How do you connect with sponsors to thank them for their contributions and support?

Great Question! It really lies with you that are sponsored. We purposely put that responsibility on you through your personal letters back to sponsors which are done at all levels of the Co-operative Youth Leadership Program. The 80 or so sponsors love these letters and that’s why the volunteer staff team here this week sit and work with you on these letters, as it is important to bring your experiences to life when thanking them for your support. Additionally, Liane works incredibly hard in getting the message out about the program and collaborating with your sponsors both before and after the program ends. In the last couple of years, we have done shout-outs to our sponsors online and used videos or post-program testimonials on Facebook - which is something our sponsors really like to see as they get to see what it is like and what it means for you guys and girls to be in the program. I know a lot of sponsors take these letters and use them in their community impact reports or invite you to speak at their events to develop your leadership skills even further - which all ties back into our co-operative values

Q: Aside from sponsorship, do you also apply for grants to support the program?

Great question! ACCA do have challenges as a co-operative. Using this program as an example, co-operatives cannot apply to many of the government grants available because of our membership structure. There’s not enough education at the government level – yet – as the government thinks that everybody is the same (i.e. a for-profit co-operative) when in reality it is not a level playing field. Previously, they have not typically granted money to co-operatives of any kind however this is changing slowly. We can now do a bit of government funding as we’ve proven we can receive government money for internal services and not just pay it directly back to our members, so this is an area we will continue to work with our members and co-operative lawyers to educate government officials.

Q: To conclude, how big of an effect do you feel you’ve personally put into Co-operatives all over Alberta or just in your local area?

Wow, that’s a super tough question, let me think! I hope that when I’m done in the co-operative sector that I’ve helped people see co-operatives in a different light. My hope around our work with young adults is that you learn from our co-operative values and stick to your own ones and if I have contributed to playing a tiny small part of that this would be great. You know, from coming through the program, ending up on the other side of it and now being able to support it – I’ve been able to stick to who I was and not be able to waver too much from that. From the education side, I hope I have played my part in demonstrating how co-operatives can really make a difference in the community and how important it is for everyone to get behind this. I’m not a corporate person, there’s awesome work being done in the co-operative sector that is bigger than just me; I’m leading the ACCA but it’s not me that I want to shine, it’s everyone else and we’re just helping to steer the ship. I hope that when you get into your careers that you focus on what you do and are passionate about it, and if you’re not passionate about what you do (and you’re parents may disagree with this!) then I would say don’t do it, as it’s my personal opinion and experience that you are less likely to be successful - so by passing on my passion I hope that leaves Alberta’s co-operatives in a good place in the future.

If you would like promotional material to advertise the Co-operative Youth Leadership Program in your co-operative, please email Youth Program Coordinator Liane Courchesne on lcourchesne@acca.coop.