January always feels like the longest month of the year and yet this year, it flew by! We came back well rested from our holidays and immediately hit the ground running. We’ve launched a brand-new service for our Members, we’ve opened up registration to our 2024 Congress, we’ve opened submissions for the CMC Awards and the Co-operators Young Leaders Award, met with various government stakeholders, and welcomed a new member to our Board of Directors—and this is only but a small fraction of what the team has been up to!
Our biggest announcement is the launch of the exclusive Members-only service. CMC Members can now add their upcoming events on the CMC website. All they have to do is fill out this quick and easy online form. CMC staff will review and translate your content, and then your event will appear on our website in the events page under the category CMC Member Events. I encourage all Members to contact our Communications Manager, Véronique Boucher, with any questions regarding this wonderful tool!
Another big announcement is that registration our 2024 Congress is now open! In collaboration with the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council, CMC is honoured to host the Canadian co-operative and mutualist sector once again from June 11th to June 13th, 2024, at the Halifax Convention Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Under this year’s theme of “Navigating Change Together,” leaders of co-operatives and mutuals from coast to coast to coast will spend three full days attending thought-provoking plenaries as well as participating in interactive workshops and breakout sessions. Register before March 31st to take advantage of our special early bird prices!
Lastly, I would like to extend a big CMC welcome to Chris Johnson as he joins our Board of Directors. Chris is a second-generation dairy farmer and 10-year representative on the Gay Lea Foods Board of Directors. He currently operates a dairy farm with 60 Holstein cows in the Ottawa region with his family. The farm is currently transitioning into the hands of the third generation, to be run by his daughter and son-in-law. In joining the board of Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada, Chris is looking forward to continuing advocating for co-operatives, the agricultural sector and Canadian dairy farmers.
And just like that, January has ended—I hope you enjoy this edition of our newsletter. February is just around the corner, and I cannot wait to continue this momentum!