Released on October 12, 2001
A Hagen man will be recognized at the Saskatchewan Co-operative MeritAwards, a program that honours outstanding contributions to co-operation
and co-operative development in the province.
Harry Bastness will be honoured, along with five other Saskatchewan
residents, in a celebratory banquet on Monday, October 15th in Regina. The
Merit Awards ceremony is the key activity in Co-operatives Week in
Saskatchewan, October 14th–20th.
"Co-operatives and credit unions play a key role in our province," Economic
and Co-operative Development Minister Eldon Lautermilch said. "The success
of our co-ops can be attributed to individuals like Harry who have
selflessly dedicated their time and services."
Bastness has a long history with Saskatchewan co-operatives. Beginning in
1965, he served for 29 years as a committee member with the Saskatchewan
Wheat Pool – St. Louis/Hoey. Shortly after, he became a delegate for the
Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, serving for 17 years. For 18 years he served the
Birch Hills Credit Union as a director, 14 of those years as president. He
is involved with Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation, serving as a
Director since 1992 and the Chairman since 1993.
The Saskatchewan Co-operative Merit Awards Program, now in its 22nd year,
is co-ordinated and co-sponsored by Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative
Development and the Canadian Co-operative Association, Saskatchewan
Region. Since the program's inception 185 awards have been distributed.
Award recipients are selected based on the outstanding contributions they
have made to co-operative development at community, provincial and national
levels. Individuals are nominated by co-operatives and credit unions and
then selected by representatives of the two sponsoring organizations.
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For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis
Economic and Co-operative Development
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-1691