Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives Award Recipients
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 17, 2019
On October 6 2019, the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Co-operatives (NLFC) hosted its 70th Annual General Meeting. This event was held in Corner Brook with numerous co-operatives and credit unions from around the province attendance. This event saw the presentation of the NLFC’s first annual Co-operative awards which recognized the Co-operative of the Year and a Star Co-operator.
The Co-operative/Credit Union of the Year award was implemented to recognize outstanding Co-operatives/Credit Union’s operating within Newfoundland and Labrador and their contribution to the co-operative sector in the province. This year’s award recipient was the Fogo Island Co-operative Society Limited. Fogo Island Co-operative Society is well known for the impact it has had on its community in its 52-year history. The development of this fishing co-operative led the community on a process of self-discovery now internationally recognized as the Fogo Island Method. The Fogo Island Co-operative has come a long way from its beginning of trying to keep their community from being resettled. They looked to the Co-operative model to help them develop a long-term, sustainable community, and today they are a thriving co-operative which supports the community, its members and is a leader in the fishery sector. Congratulations to Fogo Island Co-operative Society!
The Star Co-operator award recognizes an individual working within the co-operative sector for their contribution to the sector. This year’s award recipient is Alvina O’Brien. Alvina has an exemplary history working within the co-operative sector from her work with Eagle River Credit Union. Alvina recently retired from Eagle River Credit Union after 30 Years as their CEO and 35 years with the organization. She is recognized as a driving force for advancing the credit union movement in Atlantic Canada and has numerous awards recognizing her contribution to the sector. Alvina’s vision and determination helped Eagle River grow from 6 employees, 2,296 members and $6 million in assets in 1989 to the second largest credit union in Newfoundland in Labrador with 43 employees, 9,475 members and $159 million in assets. She has embodied the co-operative principles and ensured that community support was an integral part of Eagle River Credit Union’s operations. Congratulations to Alvina O’Brien.
We would like to thank all nominees for their contributions to the co-operative sector in Newfoundland and Labrador. Our members are integral to our success and we appreciate everything you are doing in your communities to make our co-operative sector stronger, more resilient and innovative.
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Media Contact
Alexis Foster
Managing Director
Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives