What does it take to build a worker co-op that doesn’t just survive, but thrives? Join us virtually November 4–5, 2026, for the CWCF Conference: Building Resilient Worker Co-ops! Meet our new Co-Executive Directors, Christine Clarke and Kaye Grant; hear from our keynote speakers, Mo Manklang of the US Federation of Worker Co-ops and Yuill Herbert of Sustainability Solutions Group Co-op; and join co-op leaders representing Freedom Dreams Co-operative Education, SEIZE, Solid State Community Industries and more! Come learn, share experiences, and strengthen our co-ops together!
Keynote Panel – Building Resilient Worker Co-op: November 4, 12:15 pm Eastern Time (ET)
Mo Manklang of the US Federation of Worker Co-ops and Yuill Herbert of Sustainability Solutions Group are leaders of the worker co-op movement who both have decades of experience within the sector. They’ll share their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities facing worker co-ops today in Canada and abroad, and take questions from the audience. It’s a discussion you won’t want to miss.
Panel – Money, Democracy & Trust: Financial Management in Worker Co-operatives November 4, 2:30pm – 4:30pm ET
Worker co-operatives often receive training on how to incorporate and launch their businesses, but much less attention is given to the day-to-day financial systems that sustain democratic organizations over time. How do worker co-ops build financial systems that are both accountable and participatory? How much financial information should members have access to? Who should make financial decisions? And what practices help organizations remain resilient through periods of uncertainty?
This participatory panel hosted by SEIZE brings together practitioners from Populus Solidarity Cooperative and Slate Workers Cooperative to explore the realities of financial management in democratically governed organizations. Through candid conversation, practical examples, and facilitated audience discussion, panelists will share lessons learned from supporting and operating worker co-operatives across Canada.
Fireside Chat: November 4, 6 pm ET
Join us for a special fireside chat as we introduce our new Co-Executive Directors, Christine Clarke and Kaye Grant! In conversation with outgoing CWCF Executive Director Hazel Corcoran, Christine and Kaye will share how their backgrounds in co-op development, equity-focused education, organizational leadership, and their extensive experience across the worker co-op movement will help shape this next chapter for CWCF.
Building Financial Resilience for Equity-Deserving Co-ops: November 5, 12 pm ET
Access to capital remains a major challenge for many co-operative entrepreneurs, but financial resilience is about more than just securing funding. Join Christine Clarke of CWCF and Freedom Dreams Co-operative Education, and Daniela Guerrero-Rodriguez, Community Resilience Educator and Leadership Coach, for a workshop exploring how culturally responsive, trauma-informed financial coaching can help address barriers faced by equity-deserving co-operators. Drawing on recent research, they’ll share findings and updates on a proposed pilot program designed to strengthen financial support for equity-deserving co-ops.
Annual General Meeting: November 5, 2:30-4:30 pm ET
CWCF’s AGM is an important opportunity to exercise the second co-operative principle, democratic member control, by reviewing financial statements, electing directors, and considering proposed bylaw revisions. While only delegates can vote, all are welcome to attend as observers.