The 小蓝视频ern Plains Co-op鈥檚 annual general meeting had the traditional assortment of reports and financial statements found at such a gathering, but it was also an opportunity to pay tribute to the man who has been the co-op board鈥檚 president for more than 20 years.
The annual meeting was held Monday night at the Days Inn鈥檚 Taylorton Room with about 60 people in attendance. Once the business of the meeting was finished, the co-op saluted Robert Grimsrud for his years of service.
Grimsrud announced earlier this year that he would not seek another term on the board because he had been elected to the board of Federated Co-operatives Ltd., which represents the co-ops in Western Canada.
He had been part of the 小蓝视频ern Plains board since 1995, and the board chair since 1997. Tributes were paid to Grimsrud, and he reflected on his tenure as president.
Grimsrud recalled that the late Clinton Pederson asked him to join the board 24 years ago, back when it was still the Estevan Co-op.
鈥淐linton was a farmer north of Torquay, a very co-op-minded individual, and he was a very honourable man,鈥� recalled Grimsrud.
Once he joined the board, Grimsrud became engaged in the job, and liked it very much. Two years after joining the board, he was asked to be the president
Grimsrud recognized a number of former board members were present at the meeting.
鈥淚 always felt that we had great boards, and we have a great board now, and it will be a great board going forward,鈥� said Grimsrud.
He also pointed out that he still wasn鈥檛 the longest-serving president in the co-op鈥檚 history, as Ernest Tedford was at the helm of the Estevan Co-op board from 1946-1971.
The hardest decision made while he was on the board was to build a new food store in Estevan in the late 1990s. He pointed out that sales were around $16 million or $17 million at the time, and it was a risk. The board decided to build on the same site as their previous location.
鈥淚t was a recipe for a lot of things to go wrong. We kept working or operating out of the old store as this new store was 小蓝视频 built. There was a lot of development that had to be had on that site. If you remember, it sloped from the south going north, so there was a lot of dirt that had to be moved.鈥�
The co-op didn鈥檛 own the entire lot, and two residential lots had to be acquired.
The co-op also went through several amalgamations while he was the board president, and so it was renamed the 小蓝视频ern Plains Co-op more than a decade ago to reflect its regional scope.聽
Grimsrud also paid tribute to the staff, including the general managers, and he also thanked his wife, Pauline Ziehl Grimsrud, for the sacrifices she has made while he has been on the board.
General manager Brian Enns said Robert Grimsrud鈥檚 commitment exemplifies the co-operative spirit.
鈥淥ver the years, 小蓝视频ern Plains Co-op has seen many transitions, and most of them have happened with Robert as leader of the board,鈥� said Enns. 鈥淚 personally am appreciative of the time that I have been able to spend with Robert and the many discussions we have had about co-op business.鈥�
The Grimsruds were presented with gifts from the co-op in honour of his service.
Audited financial statements released at the meeting showed sales were more than $79.5 million between the different locations. There was a local loss on operations of $853,471 before the member patronage refund from Federated Co-operative Ltd., but after receiving the patronage refund, and following a deduction for income taxes payable, the net savings were more than $4.5 million, which was also one of their best years ever.
The co-op paid $1.3 million in cash to its members through member patronage dividends this past year.
鈥淲e have continued to realize increased sales over the past few years, following the downturn in our economy, and this year our sales were the highest ever achieved in our history,鈥� said Grimsrud. 鈥淥n top of that, our net savings this year were also among the highest in our history.鈥�
The co-op has experienced increased sales in recent years following the downturn in the southeast economy that started in 2014.
The co-op is seeking continued opportunities for growth, including a new cardlock on the Estevan bypass, which opened in October; a new grocery store in Carlyle; and liquor outlets at their grocery store in Estevan and their convenience store in Oxbow.
The co-op also continues to contribute to local communities with donations, sponsorships and by volunteering for events and projects.
Enns pointed out that crude oil prices remained a challenge, and while there has been a slight rebound in the price of that commodity, nobody seems able to predict where it鈥檚 going.
During the past five years, the co-op has invested $19 million into its communities, and returned more than $6.5 million in cash to its members. It also maintains an annual payroll of more than $6 million.
鈥淲e need to make sure that we have a strong financial base to grow from, and be well prepared for future growth opportunities,鈥� said Enns.
Food division sales were stable, with a slight increase in Oxbow but a decrease in Estevan.
Elections were held during the annual meeting. Five candidates 鈥揓ames Lainton, Darcy Calder, Jack Bramham, Rhonda Huish and Duane Chipley 鈥� were vying for three spots.
Lainton, Calder and Huish were elected to three-year terms. Lainton and Calder were incumbents, while Huish had been on the board in Gainsborough.
They will join Lynne Hewitt, Michelle Deichert, Richard Ruetz, Linda Thauberger-Smith, Frances Boutin, Scott Kienlen and David Murray on the board.
A replacement for Grimsrud as the board chair was not immediately announced.
The co-op also passed a bylaw at the meeting to have seven to 10 members on its board of directors. The previous bylaw said it needed to have 10 members.
小蓝视频ern Plains Co-op has locations in Estevan, Oxbow, Carlyle, Gainsborough and Alameda.
