Co-op Leaders Workshop – Myrtleford, Victoria
We are pleased to share insights from our recent and highly successful 2nd Co-op Leaders Workshop, which took place on 12 October in Myrtleford, Victoria. This event was graciously hosted by our excellent member co-operative, TAFCO, and proved to be an exceptional gathering.
A Gathering of Co-operative Minds
The workshop brought together leaders from prominent co-operatives such as Yenda Producers (NSW), Riverina (NSW), TAFCO (VIC), Cobargo (NSW), Yolla (TAS), and Mountain Milk (VIC), rendering the occasion a geographically wide-ranging meeting of minds.
Key Highlights
Distinguished speakers delivered presentations during the workshop. Peter Wilkinson initiated the discussions with an exploration of co-operative retailing, covering aspects such as planning for a recession and the intricacies of customer segmentation. Following this, Pete Arkle addressed the critical topic of climate/environmental governance, and Bruce Hore provided valuable insights into safeguarding our co-operatives in the digital age, with a focus on cybersecurity and privacy obligations.
Complementing these external perspectives, core co-operatives shared presentations on pertinent topics of their choosing, offering relevant insights beneficial to all attendees.
Social and Networking Opportunities
A delightful dinner supplied by local produce provided networking and camaraderie opportunities. The following morning, a guided tour of TAFCO also offered participants a closer look at the host co-operative’s operations.
Attendance and Future Prospects
With 27 engaged participants, there was strong enthusiasm for the workshop’s content. The positive response has sparked discussions about the potential for a third workshop, indicating a strong appetite for more collaborative events.
Member-Driven Events and Future Collaboration
In 2024, The Co-op Federation remains committed to organising events tailored to the needs of our co-op members. Whether centred around a specific theme, sector, or topic of significance to your co-operative, we encourage you to reach out to Molly or Sam.
Contact Info: 📧 Molly – molly@fed.coop 📧 Sam – sam@fed.coop
In conclusion, the Co-op Leaders Workshop 2023 in Myrtleford was not merely an event; it underscored the strength of co-operative leadership and the potential co-operative collaboration. 🌐✨
Some local lunch delights sourced from TAFCO’s brilliant Myrtleford Farmers Market!