Menno Plett of Steinbach was recently awarded the Cooperative Merit Award at the Manitoba Co-op Week Awards Banquet.
Menno Plett has always been a co-op supporter throughout his adult life – first by farming together with his father and brothers and later with his sons and grandsons. Menno became a board member of Ste. Anne Co-op in 1980 and served as a director for nine years. In 1989 Menno became the president of the board, the position he still holds today.
During the time that Menno has served on the board, the Coop has grown from 1,200 members to 33,000 members. From five employees to 200 employees. From one location serving the Ste. Anne area to 14 locations serving all of Southeastern Manitoba and into Ontario. Sales have increased steadily from around two million to more than 121 million dollars in 2017. Also, during his time on the Board, the Co-op has been renamed to Clearview Consumer’s Co-op Ltd. Menno has served the larger co-op organization by getting involved to help the co-op prosper. Some examples are, co-chairing the Federated Co-operatives Limited annual meeting, and serving as a delegate to Federated Co-operatives Limited for 34 years, as well as serving on the Resolutions Committee for a couple of years.
This award recognizes and honours Manitobans who have made significant contributions to the development and success of a cooperative through service in volunteer, elected or employed positions within a single cooperative or credit union. The contributions of this individual to their co-op have enabled their co-op to grow and thrive. Current, former and retired employees, members, elected officials, volunteers and others who have supported the cooperative or credit union are eligible for nomination. The nominee must have lived in Manitoba.
