Why was the Co-op Created?
The Kootenay Boundary Community Services Co-operative was born out of discussions among leaders of community service agencies in 2001 as they addressed the challenges of imminent funding reductions and the tendering of government contracts in larger regional pieces through the BCBid mechanism. These leaders were looking for a strategy that would facilitate co-operation among the organizations of the region, yet maintain community-based decision-making regarding services to communities of all sizes in the region.
The group decided to pursue the formation of a co-operative as a cornerstone of this collaborative strategy. With funding support from the Community Economic Development Technical Assistance Program (CEDTAP) of the Centre fo
r the Study of Training, Investment and Economic Restructuring at Carleton University and the Kootenay Regional Office of the British Columbia Ministry of Children and Family Development, the Kootenay Boundary Community Services Co-operative was incorporated in 2003.
At the time of incorporation, the Co-op adopted a plan to develop four streams of activity:
- Services to Members: mutual support; alliance and partnership development; cost sharing of common activities; proposal coordination and support.
- Co-op Projects: short-term, time-limited activities operated for members and on behalf of members; pilot projects.
- Service Programs: the operation of services in the region that members agree are best operated by the KBCS Co-operative rather than a member agency.
- Business and Service Enterprises: activities in which the primary benefit to the members is revenue generation for the Co-operative.
Later, with funding from Agriculture Canada’s Co-operative Development Initiative, the Co-op developed a management and policy infrastructure and hired a part-time Executive Coordinator.
Columbia Basin Trust Partnership
Based on consultation with Columbia Basin residents, in the fall of 2008 The Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) developed a three-year strategic plan to guide its activities in the social sector. In early 2009, CBT partnered with the Co-op to strengthen community service agencies in the West Kootenay and throughout the Basin. Through its three-year partnership with CBT, the Co-op will work to enhance the ability of the region’ss social sector to strengthen individuals, groups and communities. This partnership represents a pro-active approach to strengthening community services throughout the Basin.
The partnership strategies include:
- Professional development of sector staff;
- Developing rural models of service delivery; and
- Promoting the value of the community social sector in the Basin
