Local News :: Saturday, December 23, 2006

by PAUL RAYNER

Members of the Minto United Farmers Co-op Association Ltd. have given a resounding yes to becoming a part of a larger co-operative and entering a brave new world.

On December 14, members in attendance voted a whopping 58 to 1 in favour of dissolving the local co-op, which has been in existence since 1927. The idea is to become a part of the larger Pembina Co-op system; something advocated by both the Minto board and the general manager.

“Of the people who registered and received a ballot, we received a pretty strong mandate to go ahead,” said Minto general manager Terry Campbell the day after the vote, “and that is what we are starting to work on today. We’re currently making out the application to put the process of dissolution into action.”

The purpose of the move is to strengthen the co-op’s presence long term in the Minto area. An agriculturally based cooperative, their traditional focus has been in areas like chemicals, seed, hardware and petroleum. In some of those areas, there can be savings being a part of a larger co-op through greater purchasing power. Also, there are also savings to be found through lower operating costs.

“Certainly, the board and myself did our homework when we were selling it as a positive for Minto. Obviously, members felt there were some advantages to being a part of Pembina.”

There was a question and answer session at the meeting prior to the vote. As well as Minto Co-op representatives, Pembina people, including general manager Dale Pouteau and some board members were also in attendance.

Pembina was formed by a merger of the Mariapolis and St. Leon co-op’s in 2001. They currently operate in 15 locations, including Glenboro, St. Claude and Pilot Mound.

Although well on its way, the process is not yet complete. For one thing, the Minto Co-op must return the full equity to all of its members, the reason why the Minto operation was to be dissolved and its assets sold to Pembina rather than brought forward as a merger. Members will then be able to become members in the larger operation if they so choose. Other details must be settled by the appropriate authorities.

“We still need to come to a final agreement,” Campbell explained. “The two boards at some point here will work on the structure and sign a final agreement.”

As well, the one representative from Minto who will sit on the 11-person Pembina board will have to be elected after a nomination process.

If all goes well, they plan to operate in Minto as Pembina on February 5.

“It will happen at some point fairly soon. We will soon cease to use Minto invoices, get all of the equity processed and the accounts receivable cleaned up. It all takes a while.”

As well, the Minto board will exist even after the assets are taken over by Pembina. They will still be in operation until the final financial statement of the Minto UF Co-op is completed and released in the middle of next year.

“They will be operating in the background, finishing up the business.”

Campbell said he felt the change was positive and obviously the members felt the same.

“I guess from the result of the vote members feel confident enough to proceed with this,” he stated. “We needed a 2/3 majority to proceed and we certainly got that. I think this is positive for the long term future of the co-op in Minto and all of our members.”

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The idea is to become a part of the larger Pembina Co-op system; something advocated by both the Minto board and the general manager. “Of the people who registered and received a ballot, we received a pretty strong mandate to go ahead,” said Minto general manager Terry Campbell the day after the vote, “and that is what we are starting to work on today. We’re currently making out the application to put the process of dissolution into action.” The purpose of the move is to strengthen the co-op’s presence long term in the Minto area. An agriculturally based cooperative, their traditional focus has been in areas like chemicals, seed, hardware and petroleum. In some of those areas, there can be savings being a part of a larger co-op through greater purchasing power. Also, there are also savings to be found through lower operating costs. “Certainly, the board and myself did our homework when we were selling it as a positive for Minto. Obviously, members felt there were some advantages to being a part of Pembina.” There was a question and answer session at the meeting prior to the vote. As well as Minto Co-op representatives, Pembina people, including general manager Dale Pouteau and some board members were also in attendance. Pembina was formed by a merger of the Mariapolis and St. Leon co-op’s in 2001. They currently operate in 15 locations, including Glenboro, St. Claude and Pilot Mound. Although well on its way, the process is not yet complete. For one thing, the Minto Co-op must return the full equity to all of its members, the reason why the Minto operation was to be dissolved and its assets sold to Pembina rather than brought forward as a merger. Members will then be able to become members in the larger operation if they so choose. Other details must be settled by the appropriate authorities. “We still need to come to a final agreement,” Campbell explained. “The two boards at some point here will work on the structure and sign a final agreement.” As well, the one representative from Minto who will sit on the 11-person Pembina board will have to be elected after a nomination process. If all goes well, they plan to operate in Minto as Pembina on February 5. “It will happen at some point fairly soon. We will soon cease to use Minto invoices, get all of the equity processed and the accounts receivable cleaned up. It all takes a while.” As well, the Minto board will exist even after the assets are taken over by Pembina. They will still be in operation until the final financial statement of the Minto UF Co-op is completed and released in the middle of next year. “They will be operating in the background, finishing up the business.” Campbell said he felt the change was positive and obviously the members felt the same. “I guess from the result of the vote members feel confident enough to proceed with this,” he stated. “We needed a 2/3 majority to proceed and we certainly got that. I think this is positive for the long term future of the co-op in Minto and all of our members.”
		by PAUL RAYNER
		Members of the Minto United Farmers Co-op Association Ltd. have given a resounding yes to becoming a part of a larger co-operative and entering a brave new world.
		On December 14, members in attendance voted a whopping 58 to 1 in favour of dissolving the local co-op, which has been in existence since 1927. The idea is to become a part of the larger Pembina Co-op system; something advocated by both the Minto board and the general manager.
		“Of the people who registered and received a ballot, we received a pretty strong mandate to go ahead,” said Minto general manager Terry Campbell the day after the vote, “and that is what we are starting to work on today. We're currently making out the application to put the process of dissolution into action.”
		The purpose of the move is to strengthen the co-op's presence long term in the Minto area. An agriculturally based cooperative, their traditional focus has been in areas like chemicals, seed, hardware and petroleum. In some of those areas, there can be savings being a part of a larger co-op through greater purchasing power. Also, there are also savings to be found through lower operating costs.
		“Certainly, the board and myself did our homework when we were selling it as a positive for Minto. Obviously, members felt there were some advantages to being a part of Pembina.”
		There was a question and answer session at the meeting prior to the vote. As well as Minto Co-op representatives, Pembina people, including general manager Dale Pouteau and some board members were also in attendance.
		Pembina was formed by a merger of the Mariapolis and St. Leon co-op's in 2001. They currently operate in 15 locations, including Glenboro, St. Claude and Pilot Mound.
		Although well on its way, the process is not yet complete. For one thing, the Minto Co-op must return the full equity to all of its members, the reason why the Minto operation was to be dissolved and its assets sold to Pembina rather than brought forward as a merger. Members will then be able to become members in the larger operation if they so choose. Other details must be settled by the appropriate authorities.
		“We still need to come to a final agreement,” Campbell explained. “The two boards at some point here will work on the structure and sign a final agreement.”
		As well, the one representative from Minto who will sit on the 11-person Pembina board will have to be elected after a nomination process.
		If all goes well, they plan to operate in Minto as Pembina on February 5.
		“It will happen at some point fairly soon. We will soon cease to use Minto invoices, get all of the equity processed and the accounts receivable cleaned up. It all takes a while.”
		As well, the Minto board will exist even after the assets are taken over by Pembina. They will still be in operation until the final financial statement of the Minto UF Co-op is completed and released in the middle of next year.
		“They will be operating in the background, finishing up the business.”
		Campbell said he felt the change was positive and obviously the members felt the same.
		“I guess from the result of the vote members feel confident enough to proceed with this,” he stated. “We needed a 2/3 majority to proceed and we certainly got that. I think this is positive for the long term future of the co-op in Minto and all of our members.”