Get in touch!
LIFE's office is in the Treehaus Collaborative Workspace, 260 King Street West, Kitchener, N2G 1B6.
Office hours are by chance or appointment. Please call us at 1-866-889-9155, or email info@lifecoop.ca, to schedule a visit.
Check out LIFE's new Facebook Page!
.Downloads
NEW!: LIFE's Draft Business Plan
Coming Events and Appearances
Come out and hear more about our work (and that of our friends)!
Watch here for upcoming events in the Spring of 2012.
Recent Appearances
January 10, 2012: LIFE Co-op and CREW co-hosted "Local Opportunities in Green Energy" at Kitchener City Hall. This presentation outlined existing and upcoming community renewable power initiatives and ways community members can get involved - including through investment in renewable energy projects - and the environmental, social and economic benefits available. Featured opportunities included LIFE Co-op's St Agatha Wind Project, CREW's Solar City Initiative, CREW's Solar City Co-op Project, and Guelph Solar Community Co-op.
November 28, 2011: LIFE and CREW co-hosted a public meeting on LOCAL RENEWABLE ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES at Kitchener City Hall.
November 23, LIFE held another community meeting at Angie's Kitchen in St Agatha. November 15, at the 11th Annual OSEA Community Power Conference, LIFE presented its project at the session on "Community Power Offerings". November 1-2, Montreal: Shane's presentation on community power was well received at Climate Action Network Canada's conference on provincial leadership in climate change and clean energy. LIFE's AGM was held October 26 at Angie's Kitchen in St Agatha. The AGM was preceded by a *public presentation from ENERCON*. October 22: LIFE's held its Annual Renewable Energy Tour! Tour participants visited a local biogas installation, a 10 kW solar array, and a biodiesel-powered pick-up. October 20: LIFE participated in a Co-op Biogas Workshop at the Holiday Inn, 510 Norwich St., Woodstock. Hosted by the Agrienergy Producers of Ontario and TREC(Toronto Renewable Energy Co-op). October 19: LIFE attended the 11th Annual Co-op Conference and Gala, hosted by On Co-op, at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington. Sept. 29, LIFE participated in an candidates' forum on environmental issues at Rockway Mennonite Church. A video recording of the event can be viewed at this Youtube link. Sept. 15, LIFE hosted the "Roadmap to Success": OSEA's Community Energy Information Session at City Hall in Kitchener. Sept. 6: LIFE Co-op held a community information meeting at Angie's Kitchen in St Agatha. August 27: Potatofest at the Laepple Organic Farm, 2298 Bleam's Road, 1-7pm. Linda Laepple is a founding director of LIFE Co-op. See http://laeppleorganic.ca/.
August 25: CREW Green Movie Night, featuring "Powerful: Energy for Everyone". LIFE Co-op shared information on the St Agatha Wind Project. August 14: LIFE's project manager discussed the co-op and the St Agatha wind project as part of "Get FIT: A Green Energy Act Information Session", held in Downtown Waterloo. The event was hosted by Waterloo PIRG and Reduce the Juice. July 20: Community Meeting at Angie's Kitchen, St Agatha. June 30: LIFE presented its project opportunities as part of the Climate Action Network's "Harvesting Clean Energy on Ontario Farms" Speaking Tour, at Ignatius Jesuit Centre, Hwy 6 North, Guelph February 14, 2011Press Releases
LIFE Co-op Receives CEPP Grant
for Wind Project
About LIFE
LIFE Co-op is a renewable energy co-operative with its headquarters in Kitchener, ON. The co-op is now over 100 members, and we are seeking new member-investors to join us as our St Agatha Wind Project moves forward. Membership is open to all residents of Ontario 16 years of age or older.
LIFE Co-op is a progressive local initiative built on environmental and community principles. LIFE Co-op was formed to find ways to reduce our dependency on non-renewable resources. The Co-op is a for-profit business venture that seeks to offer an attractive and sustainable investment vehicle for members of the community.
LIFE Co-op and the Seven Co-operative Principles
Co-operatives around the world generally operate according to the same core principles and values. How do the seven Co-op principles relate to Local Initiative for Future Energy?
Principle #1: Voluntary and Open Membership
Membership is open to any Ontario resident 16 years of age or older who supports our mission statement: "Fostering community investments in sustainable resources to reduce our environmental footprint". Members must be willing to accept the responsibilities of membership as outlined in the membership application form.
Principle #2: Democratic Member Control
Like all co-operatives, LIFE exercises the one-member, one-vote principle of governance. Members nominate and elect the board of directors, and make other important decisions, at the annual general meeting. Members 18 years of age and older are also eligible to be Directors. Members are also welcome to contribute to decision-making by participating on committees or through other volunteer work.
Principle #3: Members' Economic Participation
The low membership and share par values allow for broad participation in the co-operative, and all members are eligible to invest in the co-op's activities and receive the rewards.
Principle #4: Autonomy and Independence
The renewable energy sector has large capital requirements and our co-op may enter into agreements with other companies or organizations in order to help them finance and complete projects. Agreements are created using terms that ensure democratic control by the co-op's membership and that maintain the co-op's autonomy.
Principle #5: Education, Training and Information
Members of the co-op are encouraged to attend conferences and information sessions that can educate and update them on issues and processes. Many such sessions are conducted by our affiliate organizations, such as the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA).
Principle #6: Co-operation Among Co-operatives
LIFE shares resources, experiences and other sustainable development information with similar cooperatives, and participates in the co-operative community and policy debates through membership in the Ontario Co-operative Association (On Co-op).
Principle #7: Concern for Community
LIFE has a commitment to furthering the interests of the community and to investing in its future. LIFE's objectives are centered upon generating economic opportunities for local residents and
co-op members.