Improved sales announced at Pincher Creek Co-op AGM

Board members: Ralph Bourque, Ed Janzen, Jim Cameron, Barb Dunbar
Kevin Crook, Nicki Schoening, Linda Wollman
T. Lucas photos

Pincher Creek Co-operative Association held their Annual General Meeting on Thursday, April 24 at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village (KBPV).  This gave the members a chance to see the progress of a historical representation of past Co-op departments that is being built on-site at KBPV to commemorate the lengthy history that Co-op has in the Pincher Creek area.

During the meeting members heard reports that included impressive sales and the return of equity payments in the future.  At the end of the meeting the new Co-op Board was appointed.  Board Members include: Ralph Bourque, Ed Janzen, Jim Cameron, Barb Dunbar, Nicki Schoening, Kevin Crook, Linda Wollman, and two members that were absent from the meeting,  Allen Wocknitz and Pat Moskaluk.




Before the meeting members toured KBPV and saw the under-construction facade that will house displays of:

Site of future historical Co-op display

• Co-op Offices and Seed-cleaning Plant started 1923.
• Lumber yard started 1930.
• Dry goods and grocery store started 1946.
• Co-op Garage started 1948.
• The Creamery and Meat Market started 1948.

"It's really important to honour this valuable local history," said Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village Curator Farley Wuth.

"One of the biggest challenges we are facing from the onset of Walmart is providing our membership with a general cash payment," said Pincher Creek Co-op President Grace MacMillan. "The road towards this payout of equity was started under past President Ron Knight and we now, finally, have a plan in place to start making a few payments towards lowering our backlog. Those who have made applications for moved-aways and age will be seeing a cheque this December, just in time for Christmas. Hopefully, with this new policy, by 2016 we should be in a position to do a general cash payment and then start to allocate again. This will go a long way to help to retain our members and to make this Co-op more viable." MacMillan has finished her term as President and announced that she is stepping back from volunteering. She finished her speech by saying "It has been a pleasure to serve you, the members of the Pincher Creek Co-operative Association, as a Director of the Board and as President."

"Our Food Store has shown some significant improvements over this past two years," said General Manager David Crowell. "Last year’s Food Store Contribution was 28% better than the year before. That is phenomenal and this year’s sales are 6% better than last year for the first quarter." Crowell said that over the entire business, including the Food Store, Gas Bar, Lumber Yard, Card Lock, and Cowley store there was an overall increase of 15% for 2013.

Kari Zieffle and David Crowell

"Doing business with your local Co-op creates good jobs and economic activity close to home, just as it has been since 1922 when your Co-op opened for business. Last year your local Co-op put over $3 million back into the local economy through wages, donations and taxes."

Daneen Potter and David Crowell

Dan Sibbald and David Crowell

Other reports included the Financial Report by Controller Tom Holoboff, Member's Relation Report by Linda Wollman, FCL report by Rolf Traichel, Delegates Report by Barb Dunbar, and a Co-op Youth Camp Report given by Whittney Holoboff.

Service awards were given to several staff including:

Meghan Burke and David Crowell

• Co-op Head Pump Attendant Meghan Burke 1 Year Award
• Co-op Gas Bar Manager Kari Zieffle 10 Year Award
• Co-op Agriculture and Petroleum Manager Dan Sibbald 30 Year Award
• Co-op Home and Garden Attendant Daneen Potter 30 Year Award