聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 At the Rama Co-op 72nd Annual Meeting on June 28 at the Roman Catholic Hall, board members, employees, managers and members heard confirmation that the C-Store located along highway No. 5 will be closing on July 31.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 "It was a hard decision", said Ray Bourgeois, general manager. "The C-Store has been losing money over the last three years and to the point that the board made the decision to close the store to ensure that our overall Co-op business is sustainable."
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The C-Store location is the only Rama Co-op location that will be closing. Co-op customers and members will continue to be served by the Agro Centre and Cardlock facility. The newly constructed Cardlock facility opened in February.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Randy Nieckar, board president, welcomed all members and acknowledged there will be some challenges and changes in the next while.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淲hatever the changes we face, we will continue to make decisions that are in the best interest of our members,鈥� Nieckar said.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 During the question-and-answer period, the idea of amalgamation was brought up, something that Nieckar didn't dispute but admitted any potential partnership with another co-operative is likely a year down the road.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Daryl Michaluk, manager, provided the financial report during the agenda. He also recognized the staff and thanked them for their contribution.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Ryan Anderson, representing Federated Co-operative Limited (FCL), reported on 2016 and various projects including Community Spaces.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Re-elected were Dale Grona, secretary and Larry Brodziak, director.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The board of directors and officers is comprised of seven elected representatives: Randy Nieckar of Rama, president; Joe Pasiechnyk of Hazel Dell, vice-president; Dale Grona of Rama, secretary; Ray Bourgeois of Wadena, manager; Ron Mocyk and Larry Brodziak of Rama, directors; and John Kwiatkowski of Canora, director.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Rama Co-op has over 700 members.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The meeting was preceded by a beef-on-the-bun lunch served by Co-op employees to 60 guests. Proceeds from the lunch were donated to the village鈥檚 Canada Day 150 celebrations.
