2006 Order of Merit
Harold Foster
Nominated by Arborg Credit Union
Harold Foster was nominated for the Order of Merit award by the board of directors of Arborg Credit Union, a body on which he served for nearly 30 years from 1975 to 2004. From 1981 to 2002 he served as Arborg Credit Union’s president.
From 1983 to 2001, Harold represented District 6 credit unions on the board of Credit Union Central of Manitoba, during which time he served on the System Credit and Orderly Development committees, the board of Co-operative Trust (Concentra Financial) and the Wasagaming Foundation. He was also regional representative on the Cooperators board from 1983 to 2001.
A recipient of a Distinguished Cooperator Award from the Manitoba Co-operative Association in 2003, Harold’s record of community service outside the credit union system is also extensive. For the past 10 years he has served as Reeve of the RM of Bifrost and has, over the years, served as chairman or board member of the Arborg & District Agricultural Society, Association of Manitoba Municipalities, Bifrost Arborg Riverton Waste Site, East Interlake Conservation District, East Interlake Planning District, Interlake Natural Gas Co-op, Manitoba Conservation Districts Association, Northstar Co-operative Cheese Plant and the Vidir Community Club.
Harold and his brother Ken operate the Foster family farm in the Arborg area. Harold asked that the $1,000 Manitoba Credit Union Order of Merit bursary go to a student graduating from Arborg Collegiate who has donated their time throughout high school to volunteering and community service. The school awarded the bursary to Ms. Avery Simundsson of Arborg.
Stan Scarr
Nominated by Winnipeg Police Credit Union
Stan Scarr was president of Winnipeg Police Credit Union from 1976 to 2006 and served on its board for 44 years — well over half the time credit unions have existed in Manitoba. A 2002 inductee into the national Credit Union Hall of Fame, Stan was nominated for the Manitoba Credit Union Order of Merit award by the board of Winnipeg Police Credit Union.
Stan served on the board of Credit Union Central of Manitoba for eight years, beginning in 1993 — as president from 1996 to 2001. During his time on the CUCM board, he served on the Audit and System Credit committees, CUDGC’s Rewards and Sanctions Committee, Executive Forum executive, the board of CUCC and its NSE Governance Task Force. He also chaired the CUCM CEO Selection Committee in 1998–99.
During his term as a CUCM director, Stan established a process of periodically meeting with District 4 credit union managers to ensure their views were considered by CUCM, clearly demonstrating his commitment to his role as a co-operative system leader.
Outside the co-operative system, Stan served on boards or volunteered with Cubs and Scouts, Winnipeg Good Neighbours Club, the Winnipeg Museum and Historical Society, Citizenship Council of Manitoba and the Christmas Cheer Board.
Stan had a distinguished 37-year career with the Winnipeg Police Service, from which he retired in 1990 as Deputy Chief of Police.
Stan asked that the $1,000 Manitoba Credit Union Order of Merit bursary go to a U of M or U of W bound graduate of Kildonan East Collegiate, where all three of his children attended school. The school awarded the bursary to Mr. Chris Harris of Winnipeg.