Co-op News (August 2019)

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GLOBAL UPDATES USA Give credit unions a role in international development, sector leaders tell Usaid funders Credit unions should be included when international development money is allocated, say sector leaders. The call came from the Credit Union National Association (Cuna) and World Council of Credit Unions (Woccu) at a meeting with Mark Green, administrator of the US Agency for Development (Usaid). Among those present were Woccu president/chief executive Brian Branch, Cuna president/chief executive Jim Nussle and House Foreign Relations Committee chair Ed Royce. Mr Branch said Woccu’s network reaches more than 260 million members in 117 countries. The organisation provides training and support to credit union members, he added, helping them to face challenges and make a difference in their local communities. After the meeting, Mr Nussle said: “Woccu has a long history of using the financial co-operative model to foster international development and increase access to financial services. With continued engagement with Usaid and other policymakers, credit unions can do even more.” Mr Branch said: “This year, Woccu is successfully leveraging Usaid funds to allow more small farmers to secure loans and grow their yields in Africa and Eastern Europe. “In Haiti, we’re helping to finance affordable green-housing initiatives and boost financial literacy programmes. “None of that would be possible without the assistance and buy-in from p Community members in Colombia at a Woccu training event ‘Support co-ops’, NCBA-Clusa urges US presidential candidates our partner credit unions on the ground. Administrator Green seemed very open to the idea that this type of model could be replicated across the world.” Over recent months, Cuna and Woccu have also asked Usaid to ensure a level playing field for smaller development contractors, such as credit unions, when prioritising its procurement reforms. In April, Cuna and Woccu wrote to the House Appropriations Committee asking for increased funding for the Cooperative Development Program, a Usaid-funded initiative that focuses on building the capacity of co-operatives. The National Co-operative Business Association (NCBA-Clusa) has launched a campaign to encourage US presidential candidates to back the sector. With the 2020 presidential election approaching, the apex body published an open letter asking those running to recognise the co-operative business model as a tool for the economic success and self-determination of their constituents. Arguing that “co-ops should be on the policy platform of every presidential candidate,” the letter says the co-op model empowers people to champion their own successes by working together. “And while the member-owners of co-operatives are the drivers of this success, a policy framework that supports the robust development of co-operatives is imperative.” The letter, signed by NCBA-Clusa president and CEO Doug O’Brien, suggests co-ops should be an essential part of the solution to growing challenges for workers in the gig economy. And they play important roles in sectors such as homecare, rural broadband, finance, energy, housing, food and childcare. It also calls on presidential candidates to engage the co-op community and discuss ways to incorporate policy solutions into their platforms. NCBA-Clusa says policy solutions should encourage co-operative businesses through increasing access to capital for start-ups, and for expansion and innovation. There is also need for technical assistance, interagency coordination at the federal and state levels, and increased investment in research and development. As part of the #CoopsFor2020 campaign, NCBA is encouraging co-operators to write to their local newspapers, asking them to publish its open letter. Those wishing to take part can use the sample letter and social media posts available on NCBA- Clusa’s website, ncbaclusa.coop 14 | AUGUST 2019
REI enters the newspaper trade to shout its eco message Seattle-based outdoor gear retailer REI Co-op is launching an environmental and outdoor magazine – and a new partnership to fund local non-profit newsrooms covering environmental issues. The co-op will retire its mail-order catalogue in favour of print magazine, Uncommon Path, published by Hearst Magazines in collaboration with an in-house team of journalists and editors at REI. The first issue will be available in the autumn at all 155 REI stores and selected news stands across the USA. It will feature articles on the outdoors in Atlanta, the US/Mexico border and northern Florida. There will also be stories about outdoor life and culture, product recommendations, gear reviews and more. “Uncommon Path tells the stories of the experiences, the events, issues and ideas that shape the relationship between people and life outside,” said Ben Steele, REI’s executive vice president and chief customer officer. REI is also launching a new partnership with NewsMatch, a nationwide campaign to strengthen local journalism, which will see the co-op invest in 10 local news organisations to support local environmental and outdoor coverage. The move comes as research has found that coverage of climate change on major broadcast networks declined by 45% from 2017 to 2018. It also revealed that nearly 1,800 local newspapers in the US have closed since 2004 – and corporations pollute more when there aren’t local newspapers to hold them accountable. “Today, the average American spends more than 70 years of their life indoors. We have to reverse that trend,” said Alex Thompson, REI’s vice president of brand stewardship and impact. “But how do you get someone outside who has never set foot on a hiking trail? Or inspire them to try a new activity they’ve never done before? Often, getting someone to take that first step outside is as simple as offering a tiny spark of inspiration. We believe that spark can be powerful enough to change someone’s worldview – and that’s what we’re trying to do through our own stories, films and podcasts.” p ‘Today, the average American spends more than 70 years of their life indoors’ (Photo: REI) Ethical kitemark expands Stateside to boost social business Social Enterprise Mark CIC, the international social enterprise accreditation authority, has expanded its reach by introducing the Social Enterprise Mark in the USA. The organisation awards accreditations based on a robust assessment process – to ensure the social enterprise business model remains ethical, credible and commercial. Its goal is to build the capabilities of social enterprises as competitive, sustainable businesses, dedicated to maximising social impact above shareholder profit. The expansion sees Social Enterprise Mark agree its first franchise by granting Society Profits an exclusive licence to award the mark in the USA. Society Profits is a social enterprise with a mission to scale other social enterprises and create social impact across the country. The agreement means social enterprises in the USA can gain international recognition for their operation as a genuine social enterprise, with a core motivation of creating social impact. Lucy Findlay, managing director of Social Enterprise Mark CIC, said: “We are delighted to work with Society Profits and its CEO Rebecca Dray on this new adventure for Social Enterprise Mark. “We hope we can test and refine how our mark works overseas, to provide a model for the future. Rebecca really understands the benefits that accreditation can bring to social enterprises and we look forward to a fruitful partnership.” Ms Dray said: “I have admired the work of Social Enterprise Mark for many years and I am excited to be bringing such a trusted name to the US social enterprise sector. “We need transparent and trusted social enterprise sellers that can have greater impact in our communities to support those most in need. “The Social Enterprise Mark will give us this strong foundation on which we can build supply chains for social minded corporations and individuals to buy with confidence.” p Rebecca Dray and Lucy Findlay AUGUST 2019 | 15
Page 1 and 2: AUGUST 2019 CO-OP CULTURE What is i
Page 3 and 4: Why is co-operative culture importa
Page 5 and 6: NEWS RETAIL Campaign urges UK gover
Page 7 and 8: RETAIL GMB union slams John Lewis t
Page 9 and 10: CO-OP GROUP Co-op Food is a top sup
Page 11 and 12: DEVELOPMENT EU puts £3m into Welsh
Page 13: OBITUARY Radical Routes loses two o
Page 17 and 18: SWEDEN New governance code for co-o
Page 19 and 20: USA A Green New Deal ‘can help el
Page 21 and 22: YOUR VIEWS DEFENCE OF CLAIRE MCCART
Page 23 and 24: 01 Issue #7288 OCT WHAT WHAT WILL C
Page 25 and 26: What would you say have been the Pa
Page 27 and 28: Is there a need to redefine afforda
Page 29 and 30: CO-OP CULTURE & RELIGION BY ANCa VO
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Page 33 and 34: TEACHING YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT CO-OPER
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Page 47 and 48: As part of its year-long centenary
Page 49 and 50: Ted Howard: Architect of the Clevel
Page 51 and 52: The Fall of the Ethical Bank: how a

Co-op News (August 2019)

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