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Schedule of Events & Activities
Co-ops 101 Education Session
Date: Tuesday October 13, 2026
Time: 12pm-1pm NDT
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Cost: Special Co-op Week Rate of $10/person
This virtual training session is an introduction to the co-operative model, designed for co-op employees, members, board members, and anyone curious about the co-operative model.
In this engaging webinar, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of co-ops, including their core values and principles and unique ownership model. This session also includes time for feedback and discussion.
Whether you’re considering starting a co-op, converting a business to a co-op, or simply looking to enhance your understanding, this session offers the knowledge and tools to navigate the co-operative landscape.
For more information or questions, email Kristen at [email protected].
Strategic Planning with Sonia Byrne
Date: Wednesday October 14, 2026
Time: 2pm-4pm NDT
Location: MUN Faculty of Business Building, Room BN-4000, Morrissey Rd, St. John’s, NL
Cost: Free for NLFC Members
Without a strategic plan, organizations struggle to determine long-term goals, set budget requirements, and attract and retain effective board members. What will your organization focus on in the coming 2-5 years?
In the post-pandemic experience of leading, many non-profit organizations are opting to create a longer-term focus but require a simplified process for such strategic planning. The development of a strategic plan can provide stability, sustainability, and direction for you, your team, and your clients. But, how do you know if you are ready to create a strategic plan? And what will be the process to develop and introduce such a plan?
Attend this session to learn about:
- The simple 4 step process of developing a strategic plan
- The benefits and challenges of collaborative planning
- The community-building foundational structures of mission, vision, and values
Facilitator Overview:
Sonia is the principal of Sonia Byrne & Associates, a Canadian business that has been providing consulting services to non-profits, corporations and entrepreneurs in Canada, USA, the UK and the Middle East North Africa (MENA) Region since 2008. Current projects in Canada are located in Ontario, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, & Alberta.
With a focus on building sustainable strategic initiatives, Sonia Byrne & Associates has provided leadership coaching, business operations consulting, strategic planning, professional development workshops, and teambuilding experiences to meet the needs of clients across Canada and around the world.
Member Networking Event
Date: Wednesday October 14, 2026
Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm NDT
Location: The Breezeway, 1 Arctic Ave, St. John’s, NL
Cost: Free for NLFC Members and Associate Members
Beyond “Majority Rules”: Rethinking How Co-ops Make Decisions with Sociocracy
Date: Thursday October 15, 2026
Time: 11am-12pm NDT
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Cost: Free
How can co-ops make decisions that are collaborative, inclusive, and actually get things done? Sociocracy offers a practical approach to organizational governance built around consent, shared power, and meaningful participation.
In this session, we’ll explore what sociocracy is, how consent-based decision-making works, and how the model can support co-operative organizations. We’ll look at the real-world benefits and challenges of sociocracy, its impact on organizational culture and participation, and how it aligns with the principles and day-to-day management of co-ops.
About the Facilitator: Hillary has been helping to build communities – both in affordable housing and community-led development working with Reclaim Community CDO and Killick Ecovillage. She first joined Killick as a social enterprise intern, and through the process began to really understand the potential for community-led housing and what alternative housing could mean for youth and young adults. Building on this work, she co-founded Reclaim with the goal of supporting Citizen Developers in making impactful housing projects happen in their own communities. Hillary facilitates using sociocracy – a model of efficient consensus decision-making – to help Citizen Developers set up grassroots, bottom-up structures that are rooted in trusting each other and the benefits of collaboration so that we can make more of an impact.
Co-op Week with Co-operators Session
Date: Thursday October 15, 2026
Time: 1pm-2pm NDT
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Cost: Free for NLFC Members
You know what a co-op is. Now discover what it can do.
Join Joel Santos and Co-operators this Co-op Week to explore how co-operatives strengthen our communities, why doing business with other co-ops creates lasting value, and what membership truly means for you. We’ll also share some surprising facts about Co-operators, a proudly Canadian co-operative that has been helping shape the future for over 80 years, alongside its members.
Kristen's Mondragon Study Tour Storytime
Date: Friday October 16, 2026
Time: 2pm-3pm NDT
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Cost: Free
Member Events
St. John's Farmers Market Harvest Market
Date: Saturday October 10, 2026
Time: 9am-4pm NDT
Location: 245 Freshwater Rd, St. John’s
Cost: Free
Killick Coast North Seniors Co-op Fun Member Events
Date: Thursday October 15, 2026
Time: All day
Location: Your Local Credit Union
Cost: Free
International Credit Union Day on October 15th celebrates the spirit of the global credit union movement. The day is recognized to reflect upon the credit union movement’s history, promote its achievements, recognize hard work and share member experiences. International Credit Union Day has been celebrated on the third Thursday of October since 1948.
The ultimate goal is to raise awareness about the tremendous work that credit unions and other financial co-operatives are doing around the world and give members the opportunity to get more engaged. The day of festivities for credit unions and financial co-operatives globally includes fundraisers, open houses, contests, picnics, volunteering and parades.
Check out what your local Credit Union is doing to celebrate, particularly our three Member Credit Unions:
- Atlantic Edge Credit Union
- NLCU
- Public Service Credit Union
Two Whales Board Game Night
Date: Friday October 16, 2026
Time: Starting at 3pm NDT
Location: Two Whales Coffee Shop, 99 Main Road, Port Rexton
Cost: Free