SWIFT CURRENT RESIDENT TO RECEIVE AWARD

Released on October 13, 2000

A Swift Current man who has dedicated a large part of his life to local and

provincial co-operatives will be recognized with a Saskatchewan Co-operative

Merit Award on Monday, October 16th.



Wilmer Senft has spent 17 years as a delegate for Federated Co-operatives, 25

years as a committee member with the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, nine years as a

director of the Pioneer Co-operative and three years as a director of the

Hodgeville Co-operative. An accomplished craftsman, Senft has had his work

exhibited in the Saskatchewan Craft Council's juried crafts show, Dimensions,

and has been on the council's board since 1986.



Senft's Co-operative Merit Award is just one part of Co-operatives Week in

Saskatchewan, being celebrated October 15th-21st this year. The week, also

observed nationally, highlights the importance of Saskatchewan's co-operatives

and credit unions to all facets of the province's economy and society.



"This is a week in which we celebrate how our co-operatives have shaped

Saskatchewan and epitomized its economic and social growth," Economic and Co-

operative Development Minister Janice MacKinnon said. "Our co-ops embody

traditions such as a dedication to innovation, a commitment to economic

progress, and above all, a belief in people."



Co-operatives Week officially kicks off on Monday, October 16th when the

minister and co-operative members raise the international co-operative

"rainbow" flag at the Legislative Building, where it will fly throughout the

week.



Highlight of the week is Monday's 21st annual Saskatchewan Co-operative Merit

Awards ceremony in Regina, where Wilmer Senft and six other co-operators will

receive their awards.



MacKinnon noted that the co-operative sector contributes some $7 billion to

Saskatchewan's economy every year and employs 15,000 people across the

province. Co-operatives also represent 25 of the province's top 100 businesses.



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For more information, contact:



Bob Ellis

Economic and Co-operative Development

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-1691