OurFernie Co-op Summary and Workshop Invitation

What is the OurFernie community co-op?

OurFernie is a community organisation that seeks to support local businesses and residents working towards the common goal of promoting Fernie as a place to live, work and play.

Objectives

Local businesses are key to ensuring that the character of Fernie is maintained and nourished. By helping these businesses succeed and by promoting a community-centric approach to development, we feel that OurFernie can have a positive impact for residents and businesses alike. The Co-op’s primary objectives include:

1. Tourism marketing. The Co-op will promote the community of Fernie as a unique tourism destination.
2. Business Support. To support member businesses, acknowledging that their success is directly related to the success of the community.
3. Community Support. To support community groups and community based initiatives that will benefit the community of Fernie.
4. Advocacy. To participate in, and to facilitate, discussions and initiatives relevant to our members and the community.

Principles

OurFernie’s principles are largely based on those of other Co-operatives.

1. Inclusive. Co-op membership will be open to any local resident, business or investor that is willing to accept the responsibilities of membership.
2. Democratic. The Co-op will be governed by a democratically elected board of directors, with each member having a single vote. Members serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership.
3. Equity participation. Members democratically control the capital of the Co-op. Surpluses will benefit members through further development of the Co-op or other activities approved by the membership.
4. Autonomous. The Co-op is an independent self-help organisation, accountable only to its members.
5. Concern for community. The Co-op will only support initiatives that are in keeping with the principles of sustainable development.

Operations

The Co-op intends to provide the following services:

1. Tourism portal and reservation service. The portal will promote local businesses and events free of charge. For accommodation or activity providers, an online reservation system is available on a commission basis. This service aims to promote businesses in other markets, and to allow them to compete in the online travel market.
2. Internet marketing. The Co-op will provide low-cost Web sites, with free hosting. This service is intended to provide a low-cost marketing solution to businesses that would not normally market outside of Fernie.
3. Print and email marketing. The Co-op produces a weekly events guide, The Fernie E-Fix, and partners with Claris Media to produce The Fernie Fix, a monthly glossy magazine.
4. Event co-ordination. The Co-op intends to work with other community groups to plan events such as the FernieFest.
5. Other community initiatives. On an ad-hoc basis, the Co-op will become involved in projects relevant to its members.

Conclusion

OurFernie will only be successful with the support of the community.

During these early stages, we are especially interested in gathering support from individuals to participate in a planning session to be held on Sunday March 11th 2007 - 10AM @ the Senior Citizens Drop-in Centre. At this workshop we hope to refine our objectives and draft our articles of association.

For more information or to express interest, please contact us