Your Time to Shine – International Day of Co-operatives

International Co-operative Day (IDC) on 7 July is a day of global co-operative action. IDC is celebrated on the first Saturday in July.

Watch the messages of ICA President, Dame Pauline Green and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

(Share the messages using #coops2012 ad #coops hashtags)

A global movement of 1.4 million businesses and 1 billion people is already celebrating the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives. 7 July will be a high point, a day of shared action in this unique year.

Get involved

There are some easy ways to get involved and make sure you play your part in this global day of action:

1. Write to your local MP
    
2. Get your story on local radio and in the paper
    
3. Share your story with the rest of the world
    
4. Join the iCooperate campaign
    
5. International Day resources and events
    

1. Write to your local MP

What does the PM think of Co-ops? We’ve written to find out as part of the IDC celebrations

The Australian Secretariat for the International Year is taking the opportunity to write to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, seeking their views on co-operatives.

We encourage Australian co-operatives to use the letter as a framework to write to your own MPs to tell them about the economic and social value of co-operatives in your community. What does your co-op do? How many members do you have? How long have you been around? How do you support the community and generate economic and other benefits for the local economy?

Read the PM's letter

2. Get your story on local radio and in the paper

IDC is a great opportunity to contact your local paper, radio station, or to put out a media release on the great work of your co-operative in the community.

Download Co-op Fact Sheet

IDC message by the International Co-operative Alliance – share this with your colleagues.

Read the press release from Luke Hartsuyker MP, Federal Member for Cowper, on the role of co-ops in his electorate.

3. Share your story with the rest of the world

stories.coop is the global archive of co-operative case studies. Take this opportunity to share your co-ops story with the rest of the world. It’s free, easy to do and your story can be shared on your own website or with other organisations using the downloadable widget. Visit www.stories.coop to learn more and read about other inspiring co-ops. 

Please let us know if your story is on www.stories.coop so that we can upload the link to the national website.

4. Join the iCooperate campaign

You can also like the IYC Facebook page.

5. International Day resources and events

There are resources available for your co-operative events:

• Download the posters and print them out in A1 and A3 size
   
• Promote your activity on the International website and on the national website
   
• Download the Facts sheet on the Australian co-operative sector
   
• Print out the National Conference Flyer to promote the IYC event in October

If you are planning any activities please take photos and share your story with the Secretariat so that we can include your efforts in the next newsletter.

Around the globe

Here are some ways other countries are celebrating IDC.

UK — Check-in Challenge

Win £50 worth of co-operative vouchers of your choice by simply checking in to five co-operative outlets on the new mobile app Co-operate during Co-operatives Fortnight, which runs from Saturday, 23 June to Saturday, 7 July 2012.

US — Grand Finale of 2012 Community Tour

After riding 2,300 miles along the East Coast Greenway to strengthen communities, the 2012 Community Tour will culminate in Portland, Maine on 7 July with a fun community and family event. The tour is led by Cabot Creamery Cooperative and supporters.

Canada — Multiple Events

The Canadian Co-operative Association and the Ontario Co-operative Association are encouraging co-operatives and credit unions to celebrate IDC. Many organisations are holding events. For information about IYC in Canada visit www.canada2012.coop