A new employment plan serving the co-op and credit union sector is underway. More
BUDGET GOOD FOR CREDIT UNIONS
The federal budget will clear the way for national expansion of credit unions. More
Our 60th anniversary video
Distinguished Co-operators
The Distinguished Co-operators Awards Program was established in 1996 to recognize the contribution made by Nova Scotia co-operators to the economic and social well being of our province. The awards recognize innovators within the co-operative and credit union movement who have contributed their time and energy to a variety of co-ops, including co-ops on the local, regional and national level. Current, former and retired employees, elected officials, volunteers and members of cooperatives and credit unions are eligible for nomination.
Joseph MacNeil: Nominated by East Coast Credit Union Limited
Joseph MacNeil was born into a co-operative family. From the time he was eight or nine years-old, he said he recalls being dragged down to the local credit union on a weekly basis as his parents checked one thing or another with local officials.
The early exposure rubbed off because he has spent the last spent 60 years dedicating his time, talent, and energies to the success of the movement. "The role of co-ops and credit unions cannot be underestimated, especially in the rural parts of the province where with the retreat of the big banks, credit unions have become the only game in town."
Mr. MacNeil has demonstrated his commitment to the sector by serving as: a board member and president of River Bourgeois Credit Union; a board member of Credit Union Central of Nova Scotia; chair of First Richmond Credit Union; first vice-president and board member of East Coast Credit Union; president of St. Peters Co-operative, a director of League Savings and Mortgage; and as a board member of the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council.
Raymond Doucet: Nominated by Cheticamp Co-operative Limited
Raymond Doucet is a believer. For 43 year he has given freely of his time and talents to help the co-operative and credit union sector flourish, especially in his home community of Cheticamp. "A generation ago people in the local community realized that there was a need for more jobs in the area and they couldn't depend on anyone from outside the area to come in and create them." With a $5 a week contribution, a local co-op was formed. Today he said that operation has 2500 members and does in excess of $250,000 a year in business.
Insurance, transportation and fish co-operatives have grown from that initial community building effort and Mr. Doucet has been there every step of the way. He has served as: manager for Cheticamp Co-operative; a founding member, vice-president, and president of Le Conseil Coopéatif Acadien de la N-É, president of Cheticamp Fish Co-operative; and credit committee member of La Caisse Populaire Acadienne. He has also been an Advisory Committee member for Co-op Atlantic, and as a board member of the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council.
While he was honoured to be recognized for his achievements of the past, he urged those in attendance to think more about the future. He said the movement needs to embrace young people and their views or risk becoming irrelevant.
2007 Recipients
Jeff Moore: Co-founder of Just Us! Coffee Roasters Co-operative Jeff Moore has contributed to the betterment of his community by serving as a member of the Regional Co-operative Development Centre Board of Directors, trustees of St. Andrew's United Church, a board member of Acadian Centre for Small Business and serving as founding member and director of L'Arche Homefires. As well he sits on the Management Team and Board of Directors of Just Us! Coffee Roaster Investment Co-operative, is a founding Board Member of Acadian Cinema Co-operative and Deep Roots Co-operative. He also volunteers with numerous community organizations and works with people with special needs.
Kevin Bekkers: Bergengren Credit Union Director Kevin Bekkers has contributed to the betterment of his community by serving as Chair of Bergengren Credit Union Board, the youngest in their history, Director with Bergengren Credit Union completing his 10th year of service.
He presently serves as a board member on policy, executive and amalgamation subcommittees, Chair of League Data, member of the Antigonish Sustainable Development Association, serves on the dues and fees task force for Credit Union Central of Nova Scotia; volunteers with Antigonish 4H Leaders Council, Braemore Co-op local council and is a dedicated minor hockey coach as well as being involved in other community organizations.
2006 Recipients
Alex A Mombourquette: 50 years of service
Alex A. Mombourquette has dedicated his time, talent, and energies to the Nova Scotia co-operative movement by faithfully serving many co-operatives and credit unions for over 50 years. He held various positions on many boards. He served as the first president of City Consumers Co-operative, a regional vice-president of Co-operators Insurance, a board member of the Atlantic Co-operative Council, a board member and president of the Nova Scotia Community Development Co-operative, president of the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council, and as a board member of the Atlantic Regional Board of the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
Thomas M. MacIntyre: President, Amherst Co-operative and Amherst Credit Union
He served contributed to the betterment of his community by serving as a board member and president of the Amherst Co-operative and Amherst Credit Union, as a board member and chair of Credit Union Central of Nova Scotia, League Savings and Mortgage Company, and League Data. He was also as a board member of Credit Union Central of Canada; as well as spending countless hours volunteering with numerous community organizations. This award was presented posthumously.
2005 Recipients
Joseph Mombourquette: Acadian Pride He contributed to the betterment of his community by serving as a director of the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council, vice-president of Meteghan Credit Union, vice-president and President of Caisse Populaire de Clare, and director of Senior Row Rental Housing, as well as spending time volunteering with numerous community organizations.
Tom Webb: Founding member of Antigonish Community Gas Co-operative Mr. Webb has dedicated more than 28 years to the co-operative and credit union movement and has served on numerous boards. He contributed to the betterment of his community by serving as a founding and board member of Antigonish Community Gas Co-operative, a board member of North East Community Investment Fund, and as a board member and vice-president of Consumers Community Co-operative, as well as spending time volunteering with numerous community organizations.
Jack Q. Stuewe: Province House Credit Union leader For more than 37 year Mr. Stuewe dedicated his time, talent, and energies to the Nova Scotia co-operative and credit union movement. He held many positions on many boards, but will be best remembered as a member, chairman, director, and President of Province House Credit Union and as a director, vice-chair, and chair of Credit Union Central of Nova Scotia.
Previous recipients:1996-2004
2004 - John Dechman and Bill Stoliar
2003 - Alaistair Marshall and Thomas Smith
2002 - Leslie Brown and Don Newcombe
2001 - Eric Meek and Arthur Porter
2000 - Roderick MacLeod and Gerald Ehler
1999 - Donald Barry and Medric Comeau
1998 - Lloyd Coombs and Father J.J. MacDonald
1997 - Adrian Post
1996 - Ken Canning
Joseph MacNeil: Nominated by East Coast Credit Union Limited 
Raymond Doucet: Nominated by Cheticamp Co-operative Limited
Jeff Moore: Co-founder of Just Us! Coffee Roasters Co-operative 
Kevin Bekkers: Bergengren Credit Union Director 
