Co-op Week combined with Small Business Week for Island Acadian community

Several individual and joint activities planned Oct. 13-26

WELLINGTON, PEI – Oct. 3, 2013 – Wanting to pursue the great collaboration of the past few years, two of the main organizations involved in Island Francophone co-operative development and entrepreneurial promotion have decided to combine their respective weeks, thereby allowing them to extend their individual and joint activities over two weeks, rather than just one.

For the last couple of years, Co-op Week and Small Business Week happened to be designated nationally to take place during the same week in October. This year, however, the national week for co-operatives is slated for Oct. 13-19 while the week for small businesses is supposed to take place Oct. 20-26.

The Conseil de développement coopératif de l’Î.-P.-É. (francophone co-op council) and the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI therefore decided, with support from various partners, to amalgamate the two weeks and call the new period « Co-op and Small Business Weeks ». They will of course run from Oct. 13-26.

« One of our most important activities again this year was supposed to be our food drive for non-perishable items for the Salvation Army Food Bank in Summerside, » explains Angèle Arsenault, president of the Conseil. « However, in this year’s Co-op Week, the Thanksgiving holiday would have cut into our collection time. As well, on that same week, the schools have two professional development days for teachers, which would have again have tremendously affected the outcome of our food drive at the school. With our new arrangement, we got several extra days for the drive. »

Chamber spokesperson Jeannette Arsenault added the same type of dilemma presented itself when the Chamber was trying to organize its activities strictly in Small Business Week. « It became much easier to co-operate and extend our activities over two weeks rather than trying to squeeze everything into a single week. »

As well, the combined-week situation encouraged the idea of organizing more joint activities, such as a « Let’s Make a Deal » game show night (which was only for co-op people last year), the Entrepreneurs’ and Co-operators’ Breakfast and other events.

LIST OF EVENTS

Here is an overview of the local and provincial events slated for the 2013 Co-op and Small Business Week.

October 15-25 – Food drive for non-perishable foods: For Summerside Salvation Army Food Bank. Everyone is invited to bring a food donation to the Évangéline-Central Credit Union or Wellington Co-op. Those who contribute to the cause will be eligible for a draw for a $100 gift card from Wellington Co-op. Empty bags for the drive can be picked up at the two locations. Students at Evangeline School are also invited to bring food products to school. On Oct. 25, a $100 prize will be presented to the class having collected the greatest amount of food.

October 16 – Entrepreneurs’ Luncheon: To launch the calendar of events being organized this year by the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI at 12 noon at Carrefour de l’Isle-Saint-Jean in Charlottetown. Details of the 2014 Lauriers de la PME entrepreneurial awards will also be disclosed. Open to all French-speaking businesses and organizations. Free lunch. Register no later than Oct. 11 by contacting Jeannine Arsenault at (902) 854-2328, Ext. 228. (In French only.)

October 17 – Credit Union Day: Open house at Évangéline-Central Credit Union from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Draws, light snacks, etc.

October 18 – Wellington Co-op Day: This consumer co-op is organizing two activities. Following a draw, a lucky shopper that day will win the value of his or her purchases. A pastry baking contest will be held. Prizes of $100, $75 and $50 will be given out to the people having submitted the three best cakes, pies or squares. Drop off entries by 3 p.m. Names of winners will be announced at 7 p.m.

October 18 – Bilingual benefit night for Salvation Army Food Bank: At Wellington Legion at 8 p.m. The evening will take on the form of the TV game show “Let’s Make a Deal”. More than $7,000 in cash, prizes and gift certificates to be won. Co-hosted by Raymond J. Arsenault and Roger “Co-op” Arsenault. The presentation of 2013 Co-op of Merit to a deserving co-operator will take place during the evening. Admission: Monetary donation to the Summerside Food Bank.

October 21 – Entrepreneurs’ and Co-operators’ Breakfast: At Vanier Centre in Wellington at 8 a.m. Guest speakers: Tania Bernard and Paul Gillespie from CBDC Central PEI, who will speak about the new CASP Program. Free admission. Breakfast sponsored by the CBDC. Register no later than Oct. 16 by contacting Jeannine Arsenault at (902) 854-2328, Ext. 228. (In French only.)

October 23 – Entrepreneurs’ Luncheon: To launch the calendar of events being organized this year by the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI at 12 noon at Centre Belle-Alliance in Summerside. Details of the 2014 Lauriers de la PME entrepreneurial awards will also be disclosed. Open to all French-speaking businesses and organizations. Free lunch. Part of the Centre’s annual Pumpkin Festival program. Register no later than Oct. 18 by contacting Jeannine Arsenault at (902) 854-2328, Ext. 228. (In French only.)

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CUTLINE: Angèle Arsenault, president of the Conseil de développement coopératif de l’Î.-P.-É., and Jeannette Arsenault, spokesperson for the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI, are gearing up for the Co-op and Small Business Weeks slated for Oct. 13-26.

For more information:

Raymond J. Arsenault
Coordinator
Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI
(902) 854-3439, Ext. 231
raymond@rdeeipe.org

Angèle Arsenault
President
Conseil de développement coopératif de l’Î.-P.-É.
(902) 854-2951