#ACEInstitute2025
Estamos encantados de anunciar que el 74º Instituto Anual de la Asociación de Educadores Cooperativos (ACE) tendrá lugar del 8 al 11 de julio de 2025 en Montreal, Québec.
A medida que nos adentramos en 2025, el Año Internacional de las Cooperativas de las Naciones Unidas, nos sentimos llenos de esperanza y entusiasmo por las increíbles oportunidades que nos depara este año histórico. Esta celebración mundial del movimiento cooperativo subraya el papel vital que desempeñan las cooperativas en la construcción de comunidades sostenibles e inclusivas en todo el mundo.
En ACE estamos encantados de contribuir al impulso de este año mediante nuestra colaboración en uno de los acontecimientos más significativos de 2025: el Instituto será, en efecto, anfitrión en el marco de la Conferencia Mundial de Investigación ICA-CCR que se celebrará en Montreal (Canadá). Este año, la ACE une sus fuerzas a las de la Asociación Canadiense de Estudios sobre Cooperación (CASC) y el Comité de Investigación Cooperativa de la Alianza Cooperativa Internacional (ICA-CCR) para su Conferencia Mundial de Investigación, organizada por el Institut international des coopératives Alphonse-et-Dorimène-Desjardins (IICADD) en HEC Montréal. El tema de este acto conjunto es:
«Intercooperación para nuestros futuros comunes».
Tématica 12 12: El futuro de la educación y el desarrollo cooperativos
ACE se enorgullece de liderar tématica 12, centrada en el futuro de la educación y el desarrollo cooperativos. Esta corriente explora cómo la educación -formal, informal, no formal y popular- puede impulsar el crecimiento y el impacto cooperativo.
Dirigido por Steve Dubb (Miembro de la Junta de ACE) y Erin Hancock (Gerente de Educación, Centro Internacional para la Gestión Cooperativa, Universidad de Saint Mary), esta corriente acoge propuestas sobre métodos innovadores, herramientas y marcos que avanzan el conocimiento y el desarrollo cooperativo.
Entre los temas clave figuran:
- Innovaciones en la educación cooperativa: del compromiso de los jóvenes a las herramientas digitales
- Educación cooperativa agrícola – perspectivas rurales y urbanas
- Sostenibilidad & cooperativas – educación para la resiliencia medioambiental
- Indígenas & educación cooperativa culturalmente receptiva
- Desarrollo de cooperativas en comunidades de color
- Las cooperativas como herramientas de inclusión económica y capacitación
Esta es una oportunidad única para dar forma a la conversación en torno a la educación cooperativa. Únete a nosotros en el Stream 12 para explorar nuevas ideas, compartir investigaciones e inspirar el futuro del aprendizaje cooperativo.
Datos clave:
- Notificación de la decisión sobre las presentaciones: 15 de marzo de 2025
- Fecha límite de inscripción anticipada: 15 de marzo de 2025
- Última fecha de inscripción: 20 de junio de 2025
- Taller para jóvenes becarios: 7 de julio de 2025
- Fechas de la Conferencia: 8-11 de julio de 2025
¡Importante! Pre-evento ACE – 7 de julio de 2025
No se pierda el evento previo al Instituto ACE 2025 el 7 de julio.
Este día tendrá lugar el Co-op Tours, una oportunidad única para visitar cooperativas locales y establecer contactos antes del inicio oficial de la conferencia.
Planifique su llegada en consecuencia. Recomendamos encarecidamente que los participantes lleguen a más tardar el domingo 6 de julio para aprovechar al máximo esta experiencia exclusiva.
Más detalles próximamente. Esté atento al programa completo.
Cuotas de inscripción:
- Participante regular:
- Reserva anticipada: 405 CAD
- Tarifa estándar: 485 CAD
- Colaborador de PortailCoop:
- Reserva anticipada: 325 CAD
- Tarifa estándar: 390 CAD
- Estudiante:
- 140 CAD
Nota: La cena de la conferencia del jueves 10 de julio de 2025, así como los gastos de alojamiento y viaje, no están incluidos en la cuota de inscripción.
Información de contacto:
- Sólo para el Instituto ACE: info.ace@coop
- Para la Conferencia ICA CCR en su totalidad: info@icaccr2025.org
Para más detalles y actualizaciones, visite el sitio web oficial de la conferencia: icaccr2025.org
17:00
Check-in
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También puede registrarse y recoger su tarjeta de identificación en el mostrador de inscripción ACE del Centro NDAREC:
- On Monday from 5 pm till 7:30pm
- On Tuesday morning from 8 am till 9am
19:00
Welcome reception
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The ACE Institute opens on Monday June 24, 2024 at 7 pm Central Time at the NDAREC Center – 3201 Nygren Dr NW, Mandan, ND 58554, with a Welcome Reception.
Come meet your peers! You will be welcomed by ACE President Gary Hampton and ACE Vice-President Charity Schmidt
Dinner will be served through a buffet and you will receive a free-drink coupon when you pick up your badge.
You will then have access to the cash bar if you want another drink (not paid by ACE)
7:30
Continental Breakfast at NDAREC
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8:00
Institute registration
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8:45
Conference opening
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9:00
Cultivating Co-operation: Economic Development, Community Building, and Nation-Building in Native Communities.
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Interpreted Session (EN/FR/ES)
Carly Bad Heart Bull
(ciudadana de Bdewakantunwan Dakota/Muskogee Creek y Flandreau Santee Sioux) es directora ejecutiva de la Fundación Native Ways. La misión de la fundación «es activar las donaciones informadas a organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro en el País Indio y Alaska a través de la educación de los donantes y la defensa desde la perspectiva de las organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro nativas».
Joseph McNeil
(Standing Rock Sioux) es director general de Sage Development Corporation, una autoridad pública de energía propiedad de los sioux de Standing Rock, la primera entidad de este tipo propiedad de una sola nación nativa en Estados Unidos. Sage genera energía renovable y está desarrollando un parque eólico de 235 MW que pretende inaugurar antes de que acabe la década.
Lakota Vogel
(Cheyenne River Sioux) es la directora ejecutiva de Four Bands Community Fund, una institución financiera de desarrollo comunitario nativa (CDFI) que hasta la fecha ha concedido más de 20 millones de dólares en préstamos para viviendas y empresas; también es miembro del consejo de administración del Banco de la Reserva Federal de Minneapolis.
10:30
Pausa café
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11:00
Co-operative Farming At Roots Farm
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Interpreted Session (EN/FR/ES)
To improve access to financing and enable marginalized groups of people to gain practical experience, a solidarity co-operative was created. The aim of this co-operative is to lease plots of land to participants wishing to acquire practical farming expertise. The cooperative provides participants with the basic infrastructure to avoid initial costs (irrigation, electricity, greenhouses, equipment, etc.). It also provides technical support and helps producers market their products. Finally, the cooperative helps participants develop a business plan so they can acquire farmland.
Pascal Billard
Pascal obtained his bachelor’s degree in agronomic sciences, with a specialization in business management, in France. Having worked on three continents (Africa, Europe, North America), he has participated in the design and management of numerous projects aimed at sustainable development in the agri-food and environmental sectors. He is President and CEO of SOL-AIR Consultants, a company that assists decision-makers in companies, cooperatives, organizations, local authorities and administrations involved in the development of agriculture, agri-food, the circular economy and the environment, in carrying out feasibility and market studies, as well as business plans for setting up or expanding companies
Capacitar a las comunidades marginadas: Soluciones cooperativas para la propiedad de la vivienda
Segunda sala
Dave’s presentation seeks to empower marginalized communities, particularly the Latino community, through cooperative solutions. By providing targeted support and fostering collaboration, we aim to create sustainable, thriving communities where residents have agency over their futures and can build a brighter tomorrow together.
Dave Berglund
Prior to joining NCF, Dave worked as a real estate agent and continues working as one in his current role. With a wealth of experience spanning numerous years in the real estate industry, Dave has honed his skills in sales and new development. As a real estate leader with a service heart, Dave is proud of the reputation he’s built as a people-focused professional, enabling him to not only close deals, but also build long-lasting relationships with those who he encounters throughout his career. Dave is excited to bring his passion for real estate and years of experience to NCF as he works to advance the mission of affordable housing cooperatives.
12:00
Almuerzo
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13:15
Sesión plenaria - Descolonizar la enseñanza de la economía cooperativa
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Interpreted Session (EN/FR/ES)
This workshop will address ways to incorporate racial justice, ethnic justice, gender justice, language justice, etc. into the ways we teach cooperative economics/business development. Settler colonialism has brought eurocentrism, white supremacy, genocide, racism and other oppressions to North America, and the US has normalized such discrimination and attitudes towards non-white, nonbinary, and/or people with disabilities, and women. Cooperatives often reflect and reproduce these inequalities and biases, often unintentionally. And some co-ops in history have helped to further settler colonialism, privatization and enclosure. This workshop will explain what decolonizing means and why it is important to our co-ops and the co-op movement. Jessica will ask questions and identify elements to help decolonize our co-op economics/business education curricula. We will review concepts that help us understand institutional/structural racist, classist, sexist, hetero-patriarchal, and ableist explicit and implicit biases and microaggressions that keep co-ops reproducing inequalities and discriminations. I will work with sample participants’ introductory modules to help them revise them to make diverse learners feel comfortable seeing their identities, culture, experiences and/or language reflected in the curriculum.
Jessica Gordon Nembhard
Author of Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice (2014), and 2016 inductee into the U.S. Cooperative Hall of Fame, Jessica Gordon-Nembhard, Ph.D., is Professor of Community Justice and Social Economic Development, in the Department of Africana Studies, John Jay College, City University of NY. Dr. Gordon-Nembhard is an internationally recognized and widely published political economist specializing in cooperative economics, community economic development and community-based asset building, racial wealth inequality, solidarity economics, Black Political Economy, and community-based approaches to justice. Recipient of numerous awards in social economics and cooperative studies, including the 2022 ACE Contribution to Cooperative Education Award.
Johan Matthews
As Ecosystem Strategy Manager, Johan cultivates regenerative relationships and co-designs strategies that facilitate the development of equitable co-op ecosystems across the northeast. He also provides culturally responsive technical assistance to ensure that communities traditionally excluded from economic investment can engage in cooperative enterprise.
Johan joined CFNE in 2021 after over a decade of collaborating with local leaders and institutions in emerging communities to design and implement equitable change strategies.
He holds a B.A. in Philosophy from SUNY at Buffalo, a Certificate of Graduate Study in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Rockefeller College, as well as an M.S. in Strategic Design and Management from The Parsons School of Design Strategies.
Bijiibah Begaye
As Cooperative Catalyst’s Executive Director, Bijiibah helps to build generative partnerships, develop new co-op curriculum and training, and is leading the organization’s work to organize and expand CCNM’s cooperative development and ecosystem-building efforts in communities across the Southwest.
A true believer in supporting community at every stage of development, prior to joining the leadership team at CCNM, Bijiibah served as the Executive Director of Tse Ko Community Development Corporation and as a Program Director for the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. She has extensive experience in youth and community development, working on the Cayuga and Onondaga Nation, the Tonaneesdizi Chapter of Navajo, and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. In Mongolia, she also served as a researcher for the Asia Foundation.
14:45
De la crisis a la comunidad: El papel de las cooperativas de noticias y las organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro
Sala principal
Interpreted Session (EN/FR/ES)
Increasing distrust and decreasing journalistic integrity, media monopolies and concentration of power, layoffs, sell-offs, news deserts, a dearth of local news, and defunding of public broadcasting—as the fourth estate crumbles, the time to harness the potential of news co-operatives is now. Starting with an overvieW of the global news co-op sector, this panel unpacks the advantages of news co-operatives—community-based, democratically governed, empowering not exploitative models driven by member benefit, not profit, empowering not exploiting labour, mobilizing social and economic capital—through the perspectives of frontline news co-operative practitioners and educators. From developing news co-operatives to changing how news is reported, panelists will share their experiences and inform a discussion on the pivotal role of news co-ops in communities and democracies. Editor-in-chief of the North Dakota Monitor Amy Dalrymple, North Dakota Living editor Cally (Musland) Peterson, former newspaper owner and co-chair of the North Dakota News Co-operative Steve Andrist, and associate professor of journalism Mitch Diamantopoulos will discuss the successes, challenges, and the role of co-op educators and communities in tapping the potential of news co-operatives.
Moderators: Steve Andrist and Natalie Kallio.
Amy Dalrymple
is editor-in-chief of the North Dakota Monitor, a nonprofit newsroom that launched in December 2023 with a focus on covering state government. She is based in Bismarck and previously worked as editor of The Bismarck Tribune. She also held reporting positions with Forum Communications, including covering the Bakken oil boom as a correspondent in Williston and reporting on higher education and other topics for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. She is past president of the North Dakota Newspaper Association.
Mitch Diamantopoulos
is Associate Professor of Journalism at the University of Regina. He is also a Research Fellow in Media, Culture, and Co-operative Innovation with the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, at the University of Saskatchewan. He devoted fifteen years to independent journalism in Saskatchewan, where he co-founded two city-papers (Prairie Dog Magazine in Regina in 1993 and Planet S Magazine in Saskatoon in 2002). Mitch also played a leading role in developing the news co-operative’s structure—as an alternative to journalism’s failing business model.
Cally (Musland) Peterson
has been editor of North Dakota Living, the state’s largest-circulated publication and statewide electric cooperative magazine, since February 2019. She currently serves on the board of the North Dakota News Cooperative, a three-year-old nonprofit whose mission includes providing in-depth reporting about North Dakota to North Dakotans, and is secretary-treasurer of the National Electric Cooperatives Statewide Editors Association, which supports electric cooperative statewide consumer publications and the people who produce them.
Sesenta años de colaboración para el desarrollo cooperativo internacional
Segunda sala
Collaboration is one of the most underrated tools for change. International development organizations combining knowledge and working together to drive a common goal has been at the core of the U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council (OCDC) since it was organized in 1982. Ten member organizations across the U.S. apply their unique sector expertise to strengthen international cooperatives and credit unions with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Cooperative Development Program (CDP).
The proposed presentation intersects with many of ACE’s focus areas such as agriculture, environment, and marginalization. The presentation will detail information on several OCDC member collaborative activities, including:
- Land O’Lakes Venture37 and GENEX- joined forces on a study exploring business models in crisis in East Africa. They compared advantages and disadvantages of the cooperative model over those of privately owned businesses in organizational resilience of firms in the dairy sector.
- NCBA CLUSA and the International Cooperative Research Group (ICRG) worked together to review, adapt and expand the framework of the Cooperative Law and Regulation
Initiative to establish more enabling environments for cooperative development, benefitting from the expertise of a working group of development and legal professionals from around the world. - Social Systems Network Analysis was the focus of the collaboration of ICRG with Global Communities, NCBA CLUSA, and WOCCU. Named the Ushirika Hub – after the Swahili word for “cooperative” – it connects cooperatives, members, and sector players to service providers and facilitates valuable information sharing.
- Collaboration outside of OCDC members included the development of the Mapping International Cooperative Development Programs. This site was created jointly with the International Cooperative Alliance and contains information on over 420 international cooperative development projects around the world.
Moderators: Steve Dubb.
LuAnn Werner
LuAnn Werner is an international development professional serving as the Deputy Executive Director of the US Overseas Cooperative Development Council (OCDC). This is a member-based organization of international cooperative development organizations. An enthusiastic networker, she is passionate about
using her cooperative knowledge and management skills to promote effective international cooperative development.
Ms. Werner has worked for cooperatives and non-profits throughout her career including leading two international cooperative development programs focused on increasing incomes and stimulating economic growth of farmers in several East African countries. Her market access, agriculture and youth development experience span multiple countries throughout Southern and Eastern Africa as well as Asia. Ms. Werner also serves as a Director on the board of My Credit Union in Minnesota. She holds a Master of Arts in Sustainable Development from SIT Graduate Institute and a bachelor’s degree in social work.
16:00
Coffee break
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16:30
Educación cooperativa Retos para el desarrollo de cooperativas de trabajo asociado entre personas que han estado encarceladas anteriormente
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Interpreted Session (EN/FR/ES)
Jessica Gordon Nembhard
Author of Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice (2014), and 2016 inductee into the U.S. Cooperative Hall of Fame, Jessica Gordon-Nembhard, Ph.D., is Professor of Community Justice and Social Economic Development, in the Department of Africana Studies, John Jay College, City University of NY. Dr. Gordon-Nembhard is an internationally recognized and widely published political economist specializing in cooperative economics, community economic development and community-based asset building, racial wealth inequality, solidarity economics, Black Political Economy, and community-based approaches to justice. Recipient of numerous awards in social economics and cooperative studies, including the 2022 ACE Contribution to Cooperative Education Award.
Bienes inmuebles para nosotros, por nosotros, a través de la inversión comunitaria
Segunda sala
The panel will feature experts in affordable real estate, discussing experiences and future directions. Hive Mind CIC will discuss forming a diversified community investment fund in northeast Georgia. Duo Development will share Chicago initiatives for generating community wealth. Street Well will present Detroit examples in affordable housing and DCIF platform creation. A rep from National Coalition for Community Capital will comment on national conversation, policy, and needs to combat gentrification’s impact on marginalized communities.
Matthew Epperson
Matthew Epperson is a US Southern cooperator by passion and by training, having invested ~10 years within the US consumer-owned grocery retail co-op movement, before moving on to work in finance and platform research co-ops. He now serves as the Employee Ownership Domain Expert for Zolidar, which is a startup app company building the “easy button” for small to medium enterprises to convert their business to EO. In 2017 he founded the Georgia Co-op Development Center, the only statewide technical assistance provider in Georgia to startup and conversion co-op projects. He loves biking, hiking, zazen meditation, discussing books and movies, and his fiancée, Julia. He is the 2012 Keep Athens Clarke County Beautiful Citizen of the Year, a black belt in a Japanese-Korean family of martial arts (Tango Su Doo, Aikido and Jujitsu), a regular performer with his local improv comedy troupe Flying Squid Comedy, and while it’s true that he can have strong stage anxiety, he makes it work.
David Lidz
David Lidz, a seasoned real estate investor and developer, transformed his life from alcoholism to leading community revitalization. Three years sober in 2005, he ran a property management and contracting business, employing individuals in recovery. In 2010, he founded Appalachian Field Services, providing jobs to those exiting the criminal justice system. In 2015, he started Ladders-To-Leaders, a nonprofit offering transitional housing and peer support for those recovering from addiction. By 2018, he launched the Impact Real Estate Portfolio, renovating distressed properties in Baltimore and redistributing equity to community stakeholders. In 2019, he founded Rising Housing to further this vision and converted both AFS and Rising into employee-owned cooperatives by 2020. He raised $5.2MM for the co-op, which now holds 20 properties with plans to expand to 50 units by 2026. David also started StreetWell, a co-op consultancy, and holds various licenses in real estate and contracting. He is an alumnus of the University of Maryland and several social enterprise programs.
17:45
Coffee break
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18:00
FUTURO INCUBATOR AND ACCELERATOR - BRIDGING COOPERATIVES TO OPPORTUNITIES
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Interpreted Session (EN/FR/ES)
The workshop will delve into ecosystem building in Central Coast, covering curriculum development, market access, community education, outreach to business service providers, policy on procurement and worker pathways, co-op development, capital access, and start-up funds.
Maria Cadenas
Maria Cadenas has over 20 years, her focus has been on developing local and global social, business, and philanthropic models to foster equity, community engagement, collaboration, and asset-building. She is the newly elected Chair of California Asset Building Coalition and has served on California’s Children’s Savings Account Coalition Steering Committee since its inception in 2018. Her leadership and advocacy at the County level have resulted in a shared understanding of equity and the importance of addressing income/wealth gaps and economic mobility.
La economía cooperativa emergente
Segunda sala
E.G. Nadeau proposes to deliver a presentation at the Institute, centered on a new book he published. The book delves into the current global landscape, marked by concentrated economic and political power, severe inequality in access to basic goods and services, and extensive environmental degradation. Despite these challenges, Nadeau argues that this dysfunctional economy is not an inevitable fate.
The book outlines a vision for the coming decades, suggesting a transition to an international economy characterized by enhanced political and economic democracy, the fulfillment of human needs, and environmental sustainability. By 2050, Nadeau envisions a more cooperative society and economy.
In the presentation, Nadeau intends to highlight the crucial role of cooperatives in facilitating this transition.
Moderators: Steve Dubb.
E.G Nadeau
E.G. Nadeau holds an undergraduate degree in sociology from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has been dedicated to researching, developing, teaching, and writing about cooperation and cooperatives for over 50 years, beginning with his work as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal in 1970.
Nadeau was the founding director of Cooperative Development Services in 1985, a pioneering co-op business planning organization in the United States. Since then, he has been engaged in domestic and international co-op consulting for various organizations, including Cooperative Development Services, NCBA CLUSA, Land O’ Lakes International Development Division, and the Overseas Cooperative Development Council. He has managed more than 25 international cooperative development projects since 2000.
19:00
Cocktail Buffet
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The cocktail is at the Heritage North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum: 612 East Boulevard Avenue – Bismarck, ND 58505. A bus is booked for transfers. Attendees will be divided into two groups since the bus can hold a maximum of 48 attendees at a time, the bus will return to the NDAREC Center to pick-up the second group.
- 6:45pm Bus for first group
- 7:20pm Bus for second group
- 7 pm till 9:30pm Cocktail Buffet + Gallery is open from 7:30pm till 9pm
- From 9pm bus to go back to NDAREC (also in two groups)
7:30
Continental breakfast at NDAREC
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8:45
Asamblea General Anual de la ACE
Interpreted Session (EN/FR/ES)
To view and download the AGM documents, please click here.
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10:00
Coffee break + departure for co-op tours
Remember to pick up your TO-GO Lunch Boxes before hopping on your co-op tour bus. Bring extra water if you think you need it!
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10:30
Visitas de cooperativas
Further information about the Co-op Tours can be found below.
- Visita cooperativa nº 1: Standing Rock
- Visita a la cooperativa nº 2: Capital Electric y Strengthen ND
- Visita cooperativa nº 3: NDAREC y NISC
12:00
Almuerzo
16:00
Return to NDAREC
Free time to get ready for the banquet.
19:00
Banquete ACE
Baymont Inn & Suites Mandan
Further information about the ACE Banquet can be found below.
7 p.m. Banquet Opening
7:20 p.m. Welcome and Greetings by Gary Hampton
7:30 p.m. Address from the Bismarck-Mandan Co-operative Ecosystem
7:40 p.m. Memorial moment for Harold Chapman and Liz Bailey followed by a minute of silence
8 p.m. Dinner is served
9:30 p.m. ACE Awards Ceremony
9:50 p.m. Dessert is served
10 p.m. Announcing of the Silent Auction Winners & Closing Remarks
10:10 p.m. Group photo
Featuring musicians Lucas Hranicka and Chris Argenziano, A Gentleman and A Scholar provides live music:
- 8 – 10 p.m. Solo Classical Guitar
- 10:30 – 11:30 p.m. Acoustic Duo
7:30
Continental Breakfast at NDAREC
Sala principal
9:00
Evolución y situación de las cooperativas agrícolas en el África Occidental francófona
Sala principal
In French-speaking West Africa, agricultural co-operatives are vital for food security and economic development. They empower farmers, promote sustainable practices, and enhance value chains. Despite government support, challenges persist in governance and financing. Understanding recent trends in these co-operatives is key to addressing these challenges and leveraging opportunities for inclusive, sustainable rural development.
Moustapha Soumahoro
With a degree in geography, Moustapha Soumahoro studied at the Université de Cocody in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (Licence-Maîtrise-D.E. A) and at Université Laval in Quebec City, where he obtained his Ph.D. Author of numerous articles and six collective works on local development, he is interested in issues of underdevelopment, decentralization, territorial fragmentation and the urban spaces of African cities. Farmer organization and organizational capacity-building have been key areas of interest in his research, enabling him to make a significant contribution to understanding development issues in rural areas.
Coordinación cooperativa en el pastoreo de ovejas bajo paneles solares
Segunda sala
The United States has experienced a significant policy shift towards solar energy as states aim to reduce
carbon emissions. Agrivoltatics is a system to pair grazing sheep to control shading of solar arrays to
maximize energy production, financially benefiting both farmers and array operators. Negotiating
individual service contracts at scale is highly inefficient. A cooperative approach can provide significant
transaction cost savings.
Roberta “Bobbie” Severson
Roberta “Bobbie” Severson is an Extension Associate and Director of the Cornell Cooperative Enterprise Program. Through her work, she collaborates with Todd M. Schmit, Professor, in the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. She serves as Executive Secretary of the Northeast Cooperative Council. The Council provides executive education to agricultural cooperative leaders headquartered or doing business in the Northeast. She is a past president of the National Conference of State Cooperatives Councils. She received the John Logue ACE award in 2018. She holds a Masters in Professional Studies in Community and Rural Development from Cornell University.
Préstamos y cooperativas climáticas
Segunda sala
Esther West
Esther West (she/they) is a Loan Officer at Shared Capital Cooperative based in Milwaukee, WI. She has been a worker-owner at Equal Exchange and The Ajani Group, and has taught Environmental Studies at San Francisco State University. Esther has researched and mapped cooperatives, including Latinx and rural cooperatives, with Dr. Jessica Gordon Nembhard and as a Cooperative Development Specialist at the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives. Masters are in Urban Planning and Environmental Studies from Cleveland State University. Past Board roles include the USFWC, MadWorC, and Listen Up! Youth Media, and they are part of Cooperation MKE. Esther is currently an ACE Board Member.
Christina Jennings
Christina Jennings (She/her) joined Shared Capital in 2008 where she provides strategic leadership, oversees lending programs, and leads capitalization and fundraising efforts. Jennings has worked for over twenty years in community development finance in the US and internationally. Prior to joining Shared Capital, Jennings ran a city-wide microfinance program in Minneapolis; provided technical assistance and training to support the development and growth of immigrant-lead nonprofits; and lead two international funds that invested in local microfinance organizations in Latin America.
Ashley Long
Ashley Long (they/them) joined Shared Capital Cooperative in February of 2022 as a Loan and Investment Associate and is now a Loan Closer where they manage the loan closing process, work with investment advisors to support a smooth investment process and monitor the document distribution, review, and approval processes. Prior to Shared Capital, they worked for 8 years in residential title and escrow. They were a member of the 2023 Leaders and Scholars Cohort through CDF and NCBA-CLUSA. Ashley holds a Bachelor’s in English from the University of Iowa.
10:30
Pausa café
Sala principal
11:00
Cooperating differently
Segunda sala
Ashley Long proposes an interactive and robust conversation around mindfulness in cooperatives. She seeks to explore how mindfulness can contribute to the workplace, particularly within cooperative organizations.
Mindfulness is defined as the practice of reducing stress, enhancing performance, gaining insight and awareness through observing one’s own mind, and increasing attention to others’ well-being. To Ashley, mindfulness means being present, which opens the possibility to be mindful.
The main questions Ashley aims to explore in this conversation include:
- How can lessons from the Mindfulness movement be applied to foster interconnectedness in cooperative organizations?
- What conversations are participants currently engaging in that incorporate decolonization practices?
- How can mindfulness strengthen the cooperative movement when individuals work together?
Ashley Long
Ashley Long (they/them) joined Shared Capital Cooperative in February of 2022 as a loan and investment associate and is now a Loan Closer where they manage the loan closing process, work with investment advisors to support a smooth investment process and monitor the document distribution, review, and approval processes. Prior to Shared Capital, they worked for 8 years in residential title and escrow. They were a member of the 2023 Leaders and Scholars Cohort through CDF and NCBA-CLUSA. Ashley holds a Bachelor’s in English from the University of Iowa.
Cultivar la cooperación a través de la agricultura y los sistemas alimentarios
Sala principal
SouthEast Michigan Producer Association (SEMPA) is a producer cooperative of rural and urban African American farmers building capacity and attempting to supply the food insecure areas in the Detroit, MI region, thus developing a local food system.
The anticipated outcome is for participants to reevaluate the conditions within vulnerable communities and its current food system as opportunities for local food and agriculture entrepreneurs/small businesses and cooperation.
Cary Junior
Cary M. Junior, Founder and General Manager of SEMPA has championed issues promoting nutrition and entrepreneurship to empower the most vulnerable populations through economic development and food systems. He founded the former Royal Town Farmer’s Market and is a former Food Hub Development Specialist with the Michigan
State University (MSU) Center for Regional Food Systems. He served on the organizing committee of the Michigan Good Fund. He has also served on several Boards, including the Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS), the Detroit Community Wealth Fund
(a cooperative start up fund), and more recently the USDA Minority Farmer and Ranchers Advisory Committee. As an engineer and economic development consultant, his education background includes degrees from Morehouse College (BS), The University of Michigan (MSE), and Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business (Exec.
Ed).
Desarrollo comunitario cooperativo a través de la agroecología y las iniciativas climáticas
Sala principal
Urban agriculture, land access and stewardship along with food systems and urban-community forestry have a role in the food and climate justice fights in urban and rural communities. Join us to explore how two Minnesota-based organizations drive change through collaborations with the Minnesota DNR, academia, USDA FSA, and NRCS. Expect to walk away with ideas, solutions or strategies to strengthen community collaborations.
Gary Hampton
With a passion for community engagement and socioeconomic growth, Gary Hampton has been championing change as co-manager of Urban Ag activity with Renewing the Countryside as well as equitable land access and tenureship in collaboration with several organizations. Gary brings a wealth of experience from his extensive background in cooperatives, education, and business development corporations. He is dedicated to overcoming barriers through innovative community development and cooperative solutions.
Melvin Giles
Melvin supports Renewing the Countryside’s Farm to Early Care efforts. He is also the co-coordinator of the Urban Farm & Garden Alliance (UFGA), and a veteran peace and diversity educator. Since 2010, he has facilitated the Peace Pole and Peace Message Campaign. The campaign is intended to decrease violent crime and create places, spaces, and opportunities for peaceful gatherings and racial and cultural appreciation, education and healing in the greater St. Paul area. Melvin lives in St. Paul, Minnesota and enjoys playing in the soil, growing things, and bubbles.
12:00
Lunch + Open Mic
Moderated by Gary Hampton.
If you have an early flight on Thursday June 27, let us know by Tuesday June 25 for us to order your TO-GO Meal Box.
The ACE Institute closes on Thursday June 27, 2024 at 1:00 pm Central Time
Nuestro circuito de cooperativas le llevará a algunas de las más innovadoras de la zona de Bismarck-Mandan.
VISITA COOPERATIVA #1
Esta excursión le dará la oportunidad de visitar el yacimiento de Standing Rock.
Primero se detendrá en la Huerta Solar, operada por la tribu, cerca de Cannon Ball. Tendrá un recorrido en coche por el lugar del campamento del oleoducto Dakota Access -la mayor reunión de tribus nativas de la historia reciente de Estados Unidos- y contará con expertos que darán explicaciones.
A continuación nos dirigiremos al Sitting Bull College, donde tendrás la oportunidad de hablar con Joseph McNeil Jr, director de la Sage Development Corporation, que es una corporación de desarrollo de la tribu constituida por la tribu.
Después de comer, el autobús se dirigirá al oeste de Fort Yates y verá un lugar donde se va a crear un parque eólico. And it also gives you a vista looking south.
On the return trip, we will have a stop and a chance to buy souvenirs at Prairie Knights Casino.
VISITA COOPERATIVA #2
Este recorrido le dará la oportunidad de visitar dos importantes cooperativas de Dakota del Norte:
CAPITAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Capital Electric Cooperative (CEC), una cooperativa eléctrica rural con sede en Bismarck, ND. Comprometida con el servicio a la comunidad y a los miembros-propietarios, la CEC se rige por los valores de integridad, compromiso con la comunidad, innovación y responsabilidad. Con 39 empleados dedicados, CEC garantiza un servicio eléctrico seguro, fiable y asequible a 22.500 cuentas que abarcan más de 3.000 km de línea. La gobernanza está supervisada por un Consejo de Administración de nueve miembros elegidos por los miembros-propietarios.
Más información sobre Capital Electric Cooperative en su sitio web.
Strengthen ND
Strengthen ND es una organización versátil dedicada a mejorar las organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro y las comunidades rurales de Dakota del Norte. Se centran en el desarrollo de la junta directiva y el personal, la búsqueda de ejecutivos, el diseño y la evaluación de programas, la concesión de subvenciones, la planificación estratégica, la planificación de la sucesión en la comunidad, el desarrollo económico, la facilitación de reuniones y la planificación de la sucesión en la organización. Con un profundo conocimiento de los retos y necesidades únicos de Dakota del Norte, Strengthen ND ofrece soluciones a medida para apoyar el crecimiento y el éxito de la comunidad.
VISITA COOPERATIVA #3
Este recorrido le dará la oportunidad de visitar a nuestro anfitrión y uno de nuestros principales patrocinadores para el Instituto ACE 2024:
North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC)
Fundada en 1942 e incorporada en 1958, NDAREC representa a 17 cooperativas de distribución y cinco cooperativas de generación y transmisión en todo Dakota del Norte. La asociación se dedica a mejorar la calidad de vida en las comunidades rurales mediante esfuerzos eficaces de electrificación rural.
NDAREC ofrece una amplia gama de servicios a sus cooperativas miembros, como comunicaciones, relaciones gubernamentales, formación en seguridad, desarrollo profesional y desarrollo económico. Estos servicios garantizan que las cooperativas asociadas puedan prestar servicios eléctricos fiables y eficientes a los residentes rurales.
Una iniciativa clave de NDAREC es su programa educativo, que incluye varios seminarios web, conferencias y talleres. Estos programas abarcan temas fundamentales como la ingeniería eléctrica, la dinámica generacional en el lugar de trabajo y la gestión financiera estratégica, ofreciendo valiosas oportunidades de aprendizaje a los socios y empleados de las cooperativas.
Para más información sobre NDAREC y sus iniciativas, visite ndarec.com.
National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC)
Como parte de #ACEInstitute2024, estamos encantados de anunciar una visita a la National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC). NISC es líder en soluciones informáticas para cooperativas de servicios públicos y banda ancha, y ofrece software y hardware avanzados para facturación, contabilidad, ingeniería y operaciones.
- La NISC presta servicio a más de 950 miembros en Estados Unidos, Samoa Americana, Palaos y Canadá:
- Procesa casi 1,5 millones de nóminas al año, gestionando una nómina de 5.900 millones de dólares.
- Produjo 324 millones de imágenes de declaraciones en 2023.
- Consiguió más de 3,7 millones de dólares en ventas a través de iGEAR®.
- Nombrada uno de los 100 mejores lugares para trabajar en TI por vigésimo año consecutivo.
NISC está comprometida con el desarrollo comunitario, las prácticas ecológicas y las contribuciones benéficas, como su Fondo de Benevolencia y la campaña Giving 50@50. Los afiliados se benefician de servicios a medida, formación completa y un apoyo galardonado. Con más de 55 millones de dólares invertidos anualmente en I+D, NISC innova continuamente para hacer frente a los retos del futuro.
La tradicional subasta silenciosa de ACE:
This auction will be a highlight of the event, offering a delightful opportunity to give and share. Los ganadores se anunciarán durante el banquete, lo que añadirá emoción a la velada. No pierda esta oportunidad de contribuir y participar en un acontecimiento memorable.
Para participar, sólo tiene que traer su artículo y lo recogeremos a su llegada. Lo ideal es que nos lo comunique con antelación por correo electrónico a info@ace.coop para que podamos añadir su nombre a nuestra lista de donantes.
Ceremonia de los premios ACE:
Cada año, la Asociación de Educadores Cooperativos reconoce la labor destacada de los educadores cooperativos. Tenemos cinco categorías. No es obligatorio conceder un premio en cada categoría cada año, pero queremos asegurarnos de reconocer a las personas de nuestro ámbito de la educación y el desarrollo cooperativos que lo merezcan.
A continuación figura una descripción abreviada de cada categoría.
- Premio Jessica Gordon Nembhard de Educación y Formación Cooperativas: Este premio reconoce los esfuerzos de una persona u organización por su labor continua de educación sobre las cooperativas. Se trata de un premio que se concede desde hace mucho tiempo y cuyo nombre se cambió en 2022 para reconocer la increíble contribución de Jessica Gordon Nembhard a la educación cooperativa.
- Premio William Hlushko para jóvenes educadores cooperativos:
La Asociación de Educadores Cooperativos (ACE) creó este premio en 1978 para reconocer y premiar los logros sobresalientes de jóvenes educadores cooperativos miembros de la organización y menores de 35 años. Muchos de los galardonados han realizado importantes contribuciones a este campo. - Premio ACE Reginald J. Cressman:
Este premio reconoce a un miembro de ACE que demuestre un compromiso excepcional con el desarrollo del personal, tal y como ejemplifica el cooperador Reginald J. Cressman. - Premio John Logue ACE:
Este premio, que honra a John Logue, fundador del Ohio Employee Ownership Center, reconoce a una persona u organización cuyos programas educativos, asistencia técnica o investigación actúen como catalizadores del cambio mediante la creación de cooperativas innovadoras. - Premio William Nelson a la Contribución a ACE:
El Premio reconoce a un individuo o una organización que añade un valor significativo a ACE. Este es un premio de larga data renombrado en 2016 para reconocer la increíble contribución de William J. Nelson a la asociación.
Entretenimiento:
Con los músicos Lucas Hranicka y Chris Argenziano, A Gentleman and A Scholar ofrece música en directo y entretenimiento en Dakota del Norte, Minnesota y las regiones circundantes. Con dos guitarras y exuberantes armonías vocales, A Gentleman and A Scholar interpretan una amplia variedad de música que abarca desde versiones de rock, country y pop, tanto antiguas como nuevas, hasta estándares vocales de jazz. Tendremos ocasión de escucharlos en el Banquete ACE del 26 de junio. Echa un vistazo a su música para entrar en ambiente.
Información importante y útil
Para que la experiencia sea agradable y sin contratiempos, debe tener en cuenta los siguientes puntos clave:
Ubicación:
- Dirección: 501, rue De La Gauchetière Ouest, Montreal, QC H2Z 1Z5
- Transporte público: Accesible a través de la estación de metro Square-Victoria-OACI (línea naranja), salidas Viger West o Beaver Hall.
- Proximidad al aeropuerto: Aproximadamente a 26 km del aeropuerto internacional de Montreal-Trudeau (unos 35 minutos en taxi).
- Autobús del aeropuerto: Autobús 747 (entre 45 y 70 minutos).
Alojamiento:
En breve estará disponible una guía del participante con una lista de alojamientos disponibles, incluidos hoteles y residencias de estudiantes. Dada la ajetreada temporada de verano en Montreal, se recomienda reservar con antelación.
BAYMONT INN & SUITES:
Se ha reservado un bloque de habitaciones en el Baymont Inn Suites a una tarifa reducida de 120 dólares por noche para su conferencia. Llame directamente al hotel al 701-663-7401 y comunique al personal que asistirá a la Conferencia del Ace Institute del 24 al 27 de junio de 2024.
Dirección del hotel: 2611 Old Red Trail, Mandan, ND 58554
COMFORT INN & SUITES MANDAN:
Se ha reservado un bloque de habitaciones en el Comfort Inn Suites Mandan a una tarifa reducida de 99 dólares por noche para su conferencia. Llame directamente al hotel al 701-751-7484 y comunique al personal del hotel que asistirá a la Conferencia del Ace Institute del 24 al 27 de junio de 2024. Si llama al teléfono general, pulse 2 para la recepción. Le rogamos que asegure su habitación lo antes posible para que pueda dormir.
También puede reservar utilizando este enlace: Comfort Inn & Suites Mandan Enlace para reservas
Dirección del hotel: 1516 27th St. NW, Mandan, ND, 58554, US
Asistencia para visados:
Previa solicitud, el Institut international des coopératives Alphonse-et-Dorimène-Desjardins (IICADD) puede facilitar una carta de invitación oficial para apoyar las solicitudes de visado. Es aconsejable solicitar el visado lo antes posible, idealmente tres meses antes del evento. Si necesita ayuda, póngase en contacto con info@icaccr2025.org.
