The Common Share

People in small towns have great ideas for improving their communities — but getting started can be intimidating.  Becky McCray — small-town entrepreneur and creator of the website Smal Biz Survival — spoke to us about fostering "Idea friendly" communities, and starting small to make big changes. 

Canada's media industry is in a tough spot. In the latest episode of the Common Share, hear how the people behind New Feeling — a co-op of music writers — are using a co-op to make their work more sustainable.

What is a multi-stakeholder co-op? Why would you choose to use this model? This episode explores these questions with two knowledgeable guests: Manitoba lawyer Kristen Wittman, and Stocksy United CEO Mike Cook. Listen to learn more about this interesting co-op structure, and the circumstances when it is a good choice for your business. 

We are so pleased to bring you this conversation with Senator Marty Klyne. Senator Klyne has a wealth of knowledge and experience with economic development in Indigenous communities and is an advocate for the use of co-operative businesses. We're honoured to have him on the podcast to give his insights from a long and impressive career.

Whitecap Dakota First Nation has achieved immense economic growth in the past 30 years. In this fascinating episode, Chief Darcy Bear talks about the success of his Nation's economic development strategy, the history of his community, and the importance of collaboration. 

When the pandemic started, Modo Carshare Co-op's business took a big hit. But by focusing on what was best for their members and staff, the co-op has weathered the crisis. In this episode, we talk to Patrick Nangle, CEO of Modo, about carsharing, the co-op's approach to managing the crisis, and its focus on diversity and anti-racism initiatives. 

What are the secrets to good co-operative governance? Dr. Murray Fulton and his colleagues at the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives have identified the three most important pillars that every co-op board needs to guide the business effectively. In this great discussion, Dr. Fulton breaks down these three pillars, and illustrates them with cases of prominent co-op governance gone wrong. Don't miss this episode!

Have you ever met someone who created a new kind of co-op? Neither had we — until we met Manitoba lawyer Kristen Wittman. Tune in for a great conversation about how this co-op legal expert became fascinated by co-ops, the work she's done shaping co-op laws, and some of the cooler co-op projects she's helped get off the ground. 

Co-ops play a big role in keeping communities vibrant in Canada's North. In the latest podcast episode, we spoke to Mary Nirlungayuk from Arctic Co-operatives Limited about her home in the Arctic, and how the co-op federation benefits towns like hers. 

Community Investment Co-ops are an exciting way to support community development. They allow people to invest their money in local businesses and initiatives. A CIC — also known as an Opportunity Development Co-op in Alberta — pools the investment money of local residents, and lends it to start-ups, uses it for renewable energy projects, and more. Investors get to see their dollars at work in their own backyards, and get a return on their money as well. 

Investment co-op experts Seth Leon with the Alberta Community and Co-operative Association in Calgary, and Eden Yesh with Kootenay Employment Services in Creston, BC, talk to us about this great model.