The following is a guest post by Dan Ohler, coach, colleague, and co-operative co-founder … read on to find out more how he and other community members revitalized their small rural community though collaborative action.

Sangudo Opportunity Development Co-operative (SODC) is a unique investment co-op working to revitalize the economic viability of the small rural community of Sangudo, Alberta, one hour northwest of Edmonton.

SODC is revitalizing Sangudo’s economy by keeping local investment dollars in Sangudo and redirecting them into the community.

How?

SODC is a one-of-a-kind co-op model in Canada.  It is so original that the Founding Board created its own definition: 

“A cooperative business model whereby the members stimulate community business growth and sustainability through a collective investment of their capital.  The co-op does not manage the business, but connects viable business concepts with the right entrepreneurs, and supports the union through a financial/equity contribution, mentorship, and business patronage.  Members have trust, common values, and community spirit.”

Quite frankly, it took a crisis to jolt community members to the realization that their community was dying, and they said, “Holy crap, we’re not going to let this happen.  Let’s work together.”  What’s the crisis that will kill a community faster than anything?  The School Division threatened to close the High School in 2005.   

From that grim pronouncement, public meetings were organized and the halls were packed.  Leaders emerged who searched for grants, programs, contests, partnerships, and sponsorships to engage and stimulate the community.  Sangudo was chosen as an ACE Community (an initiative of Alberta Recreation and Parks Association), which provided the support and coaching to create a bright vision for its future.  The town has been moving steadily toward that vision through a variety of recreational enhancements.  Recreation was the perfect spark, because it is all-inclusive, non-threatening, and a whack of fun.

With this momentum, a small group began to look beyond recreation, for a business model to stimulate arts and culture.  Through this inquiry, Sangudo was accepted for an award for the Alberta Community and Co-operative Association (ACCA) which provided further financial support for a feasibility study to start a co-op.

After incorporation in May 2010, SODC purchased Sangudo Custom Meat Packers and leased it to two passionate entrepreneurs, Jeff Senger and Kevin Meier.  They transformed the facility and now provide a keystone service in the agricultural community.  Sangudo Custom Meat Packers has since quintupled its volume of business and is one of only two plants in Alberta certified to process organic beef.  Fourteen people now have jobs, where there were just two in the old business.    

Later, SODC purchased the old Legion building and leased it to two creative entrepreneurs, Jenny Walker and Carol Ohler.  After a major renovation, they opened Connections Coffee House, a much-needed restaurant, coffee house, and community gathering place.  Seven local people are employed (3 full-time, 4 part-time) and most of their supplies are purchased locally.

Very recently, SODC collected capital to support Sangudo Custom Meat Packers in a major rebuild of their exterior and interior systems, which ensures safe animal treatment and food security.  This project is also further supported by funds from the Growing Forward program through Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. 

Through the dedication of its members, SODC has sparked economic development, stimulated community autonomy, created jobs, supported young entrepreneurs, aided in business succession, provided a reasonable rate of return to local member investors and provided a general sense of economic well-being.  

Is your community struggling?  Is it ready for a kick-start?

If you are a leader who is committed enough to invest your time, effort, and money to ensure your community survives and thrives for the benefit of your grandchildren, members of SODC are willing to help. 

*

Dan Ohler is co-founder and Board Chair of Sangudo Opportunity Development Co-operative (SODC).  Besides being a Relationship Specialist and Coach, he is an on-the-ground expert in connecting good business ideas to great entrepreneurs with great local investors.  He can be reached at (780) 785-3700 or at Dan@DanOhler.com.

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People don’t like being told what to do.  I know I don’t.

But what people do like, is believing they have decided to do something for themselves.  And do you know what the biggest influencer is on people’s behaviours?  Other people. 

People do what they see people doing.

If you want community members, co-workers, neighbours, friends, family and others to do something … you need them to see other people doing it. 

How? 

Highlight groups or individuals who are taking action, encouraging others to join in.  Ask for ideas and feedback … and let folks know who said what.  Develop a specific event to encourage the action or behaviour you wish to see.  

Sometimes, your biggest influence … is your subtle influence.

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While getting groceries the other day, I patiently waited while other shoppers lined up their purchases by the till.  More often than not, it seemed to be a mish-mash of items (hot dog buns, cottage cheese, pepper, and toothpaste, as one example) which led me to think … this is what communities do.

That is, many communities like to pick and choose a hodge-podge of projects, ideas, or approaches … in the hopes that the mix will turn out to be a success. 

But like the buns, cottage cheese, and pepper – an interesting mix does not necessarily guarantee a tasty result.

Too often, picking and choosing when and where to throw resources, develop partnerships, or invest talents – without a larger vision or goal in mind – ends up in failure. 

For example, what about those communities who pick and choose to apply their land use controls and zoning authority to  limit activities in certain areas?  Does this realistically address sustainable and desirable community growth while minimizing any longer-term social or environmental impacts?  It may, if it is part of broader vision, or it may not (and cause more harm) if such actions are taken independently of one another.    

Community Economic Development (CED) is often thought of as such a mix – a dog’s breakfast, if you will – of policies, systems, and best case scenarios.  And I reluctantly admit it can be.

But the process of CED also encourages regional, collaborative strategies so that participants can increase their overall economic clout. 

While the goal of a business is to pick and choose the best location, staff, and resources in order to make a profit in the marketplace, a community is the whole kit-and-kaboodle … you’ve got businesses, the unemployed, rich, poor, clergy, criminals, children … it’s a situation that requires different development and planning methods.

And through strategic planning, regular communication between partners, and resource coordination, for instance, items, projects, or issues of community importance can be prudently addressed.

Yes?  Or no?

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