about me
Hi, I'm William and I head up the WEB Team (Web Engagement & Banking) at Vancity, Canada's largest credit union.

My opinions and views are just that, and don't reflect the views of my employer (or, perhaps, anyone else).

I can be found on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

My Bologna has a first name, it's E-M-I-L-I-A.

Next month I'm going to Bologna, Italy. Not on vacation, but on a business trip.

Why is the Web Director at a Vancouver-area credit union going to Italy on business? Good question, and in answering I will be asking you for help.

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My trip will be to Bologna, which is the capital of Emilia Romagna, whose economy is driven in large part by cooperatives. Agricultural cooperatives, cooperatives delivering social services, artisan cooperatives and so on. Vancity has been sending delegates to this region to learn from other cooperatives and, in particular, from Professor Stefano Zamagni, Professor of Economics at the University of Bologna for several years. This year they opened it up to a dozen or so employees from across the organization, and I was lucky enough to be chosen.

My task is to bring the knowledge, ideas and inspiration about what it means to be a financial cooperative back to my work at Vancity, to our employees and to our members. I believe that by combining the web, which is essential to the future of our company, with our cooperative roots we can more fully live up to our potential as a credit union.

I reach out to you because many of my readers work at cooperatives, especially financial cooperatives. The sixth principle of the Seven Cooperative Principles is:

Cooperation among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

One of the things I am excited about in going to Bologna is that I get to reach out to you, my blog readers and have a conversation with you all about what I am learning and experiencing. And what I want from you is to participate. Comment, leave your thoughts, tell me what you think.

Vancity is embarking on a new vision: Redefining Wealth. It is an evolving mandate to look at how we create wealth in our communities and how we can do that in a way that is sustainable and equitable. I look forward to hearing from you about this journey I am on to better understand our vision and interpret that vision for our members and explore what it means (and doesn't mean) with you.

So that's my invitation. What do you think? Will you help me?

Labels: bologna, cooperative, credit union, vancity

posted on Tuesday, May 19, 2009

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13 comments
Wow, sounds like a great trip. Family going with you?
comment from benry on May 19, 2009
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Thanks Scott. I wish, but we're moving this summer and the timing just isn't going to work out. I'm really excited.
comment from wazaroff on May 19, 2009
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Wow, awesome trip, if you've never been there before, I'm sure this will be a great chance to get their perspective on community identities and see some "offline" dynamics of cooperative banking. Also, they have good food. Make sure you take lots of pictures!
comment from David Cesarini on May 19, 2009
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Thanks David!
comment from wazaroff on May 19, 2009
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I love to go shopping for picnic supplies at Salumeria Bruno E Franco in Bologna. Belissima!
comment from don on May 19, 2009
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Of course a fantastic opportunity, and yes, I am sure they will have great food. I am curious as to what conditions continue to allow this region to embrace cooperative principles for so long and into the future. Can it be something in the water, a way of life that survives challenges presented by the global economy?
comment from Simon on May 19, 2009
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Thanks Don, if that place is a cooperative, I bet we'll get there!

Hi Simon. I am curious about the same things. Why there? How does it survive and thrive? Are there lessons to bring back? Is it replicable?
comment from wazaroff on May 20, 2009
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I just booked my flight, and renewed my passport today. I'm two big steps closer to going. It turns out that your passport has to expire at least three months after travelling to Italy. Mine was set to expire in August. I'll be gone from June 26th through July 11th. My wife is so supportive letting me take off for that long. Thanks Amy!
comment from wazaroff on May 20, 2009
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Your trip sounds amazing. I wish I could go and do research there.

I love the redefining wealth idea. Would love to hear more. What a great, broad way to think about sustainability.
comment from Jeremy Osborn on May 21, 2009
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Thanks Jeremy. Oh , you'll hear more about it all right!
comment from wazaroff on May 21, 2009
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@wazaroff - You're right (thanks for the direct Tweet) this is RIGHT up my alley, in my house, my passion, my heart - whatever.

My company tag line "Question Everything" is here for you!

Cheers!
comment from denisewymore on June 03, 2009
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Thanks Denise! I'm excited about the adventure.
comment from wazaroff on June 03, 2009
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Hi William,
Here in the United States we have our cooperatives (credit unions) to thank for eventually getting us out of this economic mess we find ourselves in today. What we do without credit unions?
Interested to hear your findings.

Dick
comment from Anonymous on June 04, 2009
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