Co-ops

There are three new cooperatives on Gabriola:

Gabriola Cooperative Network – if you are a cooperative and interested in becoming a member of the Gabriola network please contact: gabriolacoopnetwork@gmail.com

Are you interested in reducing your energy use through sustainable energy sources or through conservation? Then this cooperative is for you. Attend the launch on November 5th from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Gabriola Arts and Heritage Centre to learn more about solar, Biodiesel, heat pumps, and more.

Gabriola Island Community Investment Coop – Would you like some of your money to be invested in Gabriola, your local community, rather than corporations operating globally? Attend the launch (co-hosted with Empower Gabriola) on November 5th from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Gabriola Arts and Heritage Centre. Click here for additional information.

Unleashing Gabriola’s Community Capital:

On Saturday February 24th about 40 people gathered to hear Rupert Downing discuss how Gabriolans could create local environmental and social enterprises through community investment cooperatives. We then discussed what we needed as investors to feel secure in investing our money in a community investment cooperative. We also brainstormed a range of ideas that could be invested in here on Gabriola.

Enthusiasm and Passion at “Let’s talk Co-ops”

82 people packed the Roxy on October 21, 2017 to talk about how they can use co-ops to move Gabriola closer to being a socially, economically and environmentally regenerative community.

Katherine Levett of the B.C. Cooperative Association gave an overview of how people in other BC Communities are using the co-op model. She pointed out that in co-ops the owners are also the ‘consumers’ of the products or services they make, co-ops tend to survive economic conditions other forms of organizations can’t. The average duration of a co-op is twice that of other forms of organization.

Levett, who toured the island and met with several groups and individuals, was impressed by the many ways Gabriolans are already co-operating for mutual benefit. She said “seems to me Gabriola already has a strong co-operative culture and that would make using the co-op model a natural fit.”

After Levett’s talk and the Q&A period, participants formed small groups around topics of their choice. They shared ideas and information about how co-ops might be used to support local businesses, deliver clean, locally produced energy, provide stable, lower-cost permanent housing, and help young farmers grow and market their products. Some also talked about the options of a made-on-Gabriola investment co-op and a land trust.

Over half the crowd signed up to stay involved and connected wtih people who are interested in similar co-op opportunities. Reports from the small group discussions will be sent out to everyone as will information about upcoming co-op related events and activities.

Levett, whose job it is to travel BC to talk about co-ops was deeply impressed with us here on Gabriola. At the end of the meeting, Levett told the group “I have spoken in many communities around B.C. and this is the biggest and most engaged group of people I’ve seen.”

From Sustainable Gabriola Co-op Working Group: Steve Earle, Sibyl Frei, Jan Pullinger, Fay Weller, Susan Yates, and Julie Sperber.

For more information contact Fay Weller 250 616 8924 or
Jan Pullinger 250 325 4009.