Kawartha Works Community Co-operative Inc (KWCC) is an organization incorporated on February 18, 2015 under the Co-operative Corporations Act of Ontario.

The purpose of KWCC is to improve the social infrastructure in Kawartha Lakes by enabling the creation, development and management of not-for-profit initiatives with artistic, cultural, recreational, health, environmental, economic and social improvement aims.

Our Vision

A volunteer organization that can initiate activities or support initiatives of individuals and groups to fill gaps and seize opportunities within our communities.

Our Mission

To improve social infrastructure in Kawartha Lakes by building or facilitating co-operative partnerships to grow sustainable, not for profit initiatives with artistic, cultural, recreational, health, environmental, economic and social improvement aims.

The Kawartha Works Community Co-operative Mission
The Kawartha Works Community Co-operative Guiding Principals

Our Guiding Principles & Values

  1. The well being of our rural communities is imperative.
  2. Constant and inclusive listening and dialogue are the cornerstones of our success.
  3. Co-operative sharing is our hallmark.
  4. We advocate for simplicity and respect for community values and initiatives.

Our Services for new initiatives

  1. Insurance sharing
  2. Governance and oversight
  3. Consultation and advice
  4. Advising on or access to funding
  5. Banking
  6. Cheque writing
  7. Book keeping
The Kawartha Works Community Co-operative Services
Image of bike handles and baskets, the Bike Share program.

The #KawarthaWorks Objectives:

Support

The Kawartha Co-op’s will support local initiatives that reflect the interest of its members and benefit the community at large.

The Kawartha Co-op activities will promote the artistic, cultural, recreational, health, environmental, economic and social wellbeing of Kawartha Lakes.

The Kawartha Co-op’s activities shall be carried on without the purpose of financial gain for its members. On the dissolution of KWCC and after the payment of its debts and liabilities, the remaining property would be given to charitable organizations or co-operatives with similar objects carrying on their activities solely within Canada.

Become a Member

Membership in Kawartha Works is on an individual basis with annual fee of $10.  Members can participate in management committees of KWCC initiatives—in addition to voting on plans and board members.

helping hands able

KWCC is a co-operative of individual members and is structured so that its members can start new projects and initiatives that are of interest and benefit to the members and the community. Two key ways that co-op participation can assist is umbrella incorporation which often is a requirement to receive grants; and, sharing costs such as insurance which increasingly required for projects, especially public events.

How do initiatives work?

The activities of KWCC are organized as “participating initiatives”. Each initiative requires a committee of at least five co-op members to propose and manage the activity. When approved by the KWCC board, each initiative is authorized by an agreement that details the relationship between it and the co-op. This is intended to ensure successful activities of each initiative and Kawartha Works overall.

How did the KWCC get started?

KWCC came out of community improvement discussions conducted by Fenelon Forward. As ideas were identified for improvement initiatives in Fenelon Falls, the need for an umbrella organization to facilitate developments was recognized. The example of Haliburton Community Co-operative was adopted as a model for sharing of incorporation and costs such as insurance and accounting.