The NASCO Staff & Managers Conference is a cooperative education and training program that is designed specifically to meet the needs of staff and managers of campus-based housing cooperatives. The conference serves as a collective learning forum that strives to empower campus co-op managers from across Canada and the United States. Conference participants share ideas through workshops, discussions and informal networking.

Surveys & round-table discussions reflecting a variety of topics help managers compare their cooperative's performance and policies to those of other co-ops. NASCO strongly encourages managers and staff to attend and share individual experiences with the rest of the movement's management staff as well as to seek new solutions and gain support to face the challenges of campus co-op management.

What Participants Say:

"One of the highlights was spending time with other co-op staff and feeling very understood, supported, and inspired by them and their commitment and skills. I also found both of the presentations about conflict resolution and dealing with problem members very informative and engaging."

"Getting together with fellow co-op staff and learning from one another is always the best part of the Staff and Managers Conference; lots of great ideas were shared."

"The trip to Berkeley, the tour of the office and Central Kitchen, and of course the dinner with the members was something that was truly enjoyable and memorable."

"As a relatively new staff member it was great opportunity to meet, bond and discover a wide swath of common ground with similarly engaged colleagues from around the country. The vibe was warm, inviting and engaging. Although many of our coop systems operate differently we share many common issues. There was no end to the creative ways coops have found to solve similar problems."

"One action item I left with was a clarity that I serve at the pleasure of the membership. It's therefore very important to have clear expectations around the authority staff has to interpret and enforce policy. On one hand our members need to be trained on how to evaluate staff and manage professional relationships and staff career needs. Additionally, executive and administrative staff need relationships and understandings with the membership about the nature of their employment that enables them to execute their duties with confidence and efficiency. I'll be working to clarify these issues with the the membership in my organization."

"The conference was terrific. I really feel more a part of something larger than just my coop."