nasco conference

I’m heading down to the states on Thursday morning to participate in the North American Students of Cooperation’s annual conference. Providing education and resources to its members and co-op organizing groups, NASCO acts to educate the public in cooperative principles and practices, and promotes the co-op movement as a whole.

Each November, over 400 participants from all over the United States, Canada and beyond converge in Ann Arbor, Michigan to share ideas, learn new skills, and look at issues affecting the cooperative movement worldwide.

Since Coop Sur Genereux is a member, I thought it would be fun to: a. learn more about cooperative principles; b. go on a roadtrip to Ann Arbor, Michigan (11hours one way); c. meet some new, interesting people

Alongside three days of workshops, seminars and discussion groups focussing on cooperative living issues, I’ve also signed up for a full-day’s leadership training in anti-opression and popular education.

This year’s conference theme is In Our Backyards: Defending the Environmental Commons and aims to focus the conference on the social injustices of mainstream environmentalism…

Here’s the conference blurb:

In an era where the word “green” is used to describe everything from construction practices to the economy, environmental sustainability is in the spotlight more than ever as environmental injustices continue to threaten the health, safety and sustainability of communities everyday.

As leaders of the cooperative movement, we must ask ourselves what it means to engage in environmental issues at the local, regional, and global level.  How do we transform mainstream environmentalism into environmental justice and create and support just, sustainable (re)uses of land? What opportunities emerging from economic and environmental crisis exist to grow the cooperative movement?

At the 2009 NASCO Institute, we will build on last year’s exploration of cooperatives and land rights to explore the role and future of cooperatives in the current greenwashed recession with an internationalist perspective.  We will develop strategies for promoting healthy relationships with each other, with our land and resources, and across cultures.  Through workshops, discussions, film screenings, panels, and caucuses, we will rethink how we produce, transport, and consume; share everyday tools for just sustainability in cooperative practices; and create cooperative solutions that spark change in “our backyards.”

So stay tuned for a report from Ann Arbor!

Cabaret Eclectique

Tomorrow night we’re hosting the Coop’s third Cabaret Eclectique…

It will be evening of music, poetry, story telling, dance, theatre performance and more… Yannick Beriault – one of my housemates – will be launching his poetry collection “Bruissement”… All the more incentive for me to learn French!

an ode to all the sara(h)s in my life

Everywhere I live there always seems to be a sara(h) that wriggles cheekily into my life… There are two types of sara(h)s: ‘sara-with-an-h’ and ‘sara-without-an-h’… It can be hard to tell them apart in your first encounter. But don’t worry, she’s sure to tell you immediately…

And what delightful creatures they are! Warm, fuzzy, friendly, intelligent, insightful and fun. Their creativity almost always leads them to paint, dance, make films, write or sing. While some do such things for a living, for most of them: creativity is simply their being. Their life is a continuous song where they dance to the rhythm of their hearts…

…and what big hearts…

Helping others is what these compassionate little creatures do best. Whether it’s homeless women, refugees, dental patients or the environment, sara(h)s will often be found working towards a better future for all.

And their curiosity always leads them on the most amazing adventures: climbing mountains, traveling the world, spontaneous bush parties, producing films and cycling cycling everywhere… (I almost forgot: sara(h)s love their bikes. Some much more than others…)

…Be sure to know, if there’s a sara(h) nearby you’re in for a special treat!

A new sara-without-an-h has just popped into my life at the coop. You can get to know all about her here!