2016 Order of Merit
Michael Taylor
Nominated by Winnipeg Police Credit Union
Michael began his career with Astra in 1972, and quickly showed his dedication to the system by serving on the Winnipeg Chapter of Credit Unions from 1973-75. He moved to the Stabilization Fund in 1976 as an auditor, and then worked with credit unions in deficit positions. Anxious to apply experience to a credit union, he became general manager of Winnipeg Police (WPCU) in 1990.
From the start, Michael displayed a high level of commitment and dedication to the cooperative principals, particularly ‘cooperation among cooperatives’. Over the years, WPCU developed a wide range of policies, business processes and technology, and shared the information freely with other credit unions. His commitment earned WPCU the reputation as a “go-to” organization on new policies and practices.
As its longest serving director (20 years, including three terms as president), Michael’s dedication to the development of CUMAM’s Code of Ethics, Rules of Conduct and Objectives helped to formalize its role as a professional management organization. His participation on national CUSOURCE and CUDA task forces contributed to the value and relevance of “The Credit Union System” course and clarified the competencies required of directors. (WPCU was the first board in Canada to complete the entire CUDA program.)
Michael served on various system committees over the years including HR, Marketing, Technology Advisory, Orderly Development, Risk & Bonding and Management Advisory. He was the driving credit union force behind the Order of Merit program, and served six years as CUMAM’s representative on the committee.
He was also instrumental in founding the Manitoba Credit Union Golf Tournament, which he ran for 25 years.
Outside the system, he serves as a director and treasurer of Status4 Inc., a local charitable organization, and as a director and treasurer of the condominium corporation in Oakbank where he and wife Kathy live. Michael has asked that the $1,000 bursary attached to his award go to the Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba (CUYLM), to be used to educate and motivate our young leaders of the future.
John Klassen
Nominated by Deposit Guarantee Corporation of Manitoba
John was introduced to our system as an employee of Manitoba Telephone Services. He joined as a member of Decibel — the MTS employees’ credit union, which merged with Hy-Line (Vantis) and then Assiniboine — and, in 1970, was appointed to its supervisor committee. He resigned in 1975 when he became an inspector with the Credit Union Stabilization Fund, which sent him to Brandon in 1977 to manage its western region. In 1979 he joined Westoba as VP Finance, a position he held until 1999.
Provincial rules that limited annual withdrawals and locked in 100% of contributions had long been a thorn in the side of Manitobans with defined-contribution pension plans when John joined the ranks of the retired. Over the course of a long campaign, John engaged the Manitoba credit union system and helped mobilize the Manitoba Society of Seniors and other stakeholders to lobby for change. MLAs and members of the provincial pension commission became well-acquainted with John. Famously, he lay in wait at the legislature to present Gary Doer with a highly metaphorical impatience plant. In 2004, following a sustained campaign that involved many within the ranks of our system, the annual withdrawal rate went from six to eight per cent and retirees were allowed to unlock 50% of their funds.
In 2005, perhaps rekindled by the pension campaign, John joined the Deposit Guarantee Corporation (DGCM) board, where he served in a variety of capacities, including chair, over the course of 10 years.
John has a solid record of volunteerism in Brandon, from board service to Westman Media Co-op, Wheat City Lions Club and Valleyview Community Centre, to coaching youth hockey and canvassing for a number of charities. He has asked that the $1,000 bursary attached to his award go to a graduate of Vincent Massey Collegiate with good grades and a history of volunteering who is planning to study business, accounting or education at the post-secondary level.
Margaret Day
Nominated by Assiniboine Credit Union
Margaret began her 28 years of service to our system with her election to the board of Buffalo, a closed-bond credit union for provincial public sector employees. Twice chair, she led Buffalo through its merger with Assiniboine in 2008. She served one term as chair while on Assiniboine’s board from 2008-2015. She was their representative on the Large Credit Union Conference (LCUC) — a small but influential group that has sparked collaboration and innovation across the national system — and on the Global Alliance for Banking on Values. She served one term on CUCM’s board.
Progress, innovation, diversity and governance have been her touchstones. Among their many achievements with Margaret at the helm, Buffalo moved into the Union Centre on Broadway, opened its bond, and provided Lions Place seniors with in-Manor service calls, while Assiniboine opened in an area of Winnipeg’s North End abandoned by banks and developed a mortgage product for Muslims that didn’t conflict with their faith. When Margaret says, “the strategic work of an organization is a collective effort with a lot of experienced minds working and learning together to determine the best possible solution,” it is not an abstraction. In 2011, she received her institute of Corporate Directors’ ICD.D designation. Assiniboine is widely recognized for its commitment to good governance and shares its practices with local and national credit unions.
Margaret continues to dedicate her time and effort to a list of community, provincial and international efforts that have included the United Way, MFL Occupation Health Centre, Canadian Labour Congress, MB B&B Marketing Co-op, and the Nor-West Community Food Centre, among others. Last year she co-sponsored a Syrian refugee family.
Margaret has asked that the $1,000 bursary attached to her award go to a female indigenous student with an interest in co-operatives,who is studying at the U of W Selkirk Avenue campus.
Nominated by Sunrise Credit Union
Harry began his career as general manager of Tiger Hills Credit Union in 1986 and ended it as CEO of Sunrise Credit Union in 2017 — a 31-year string of uninterrupted service to the same organization.
Harry has been involved with system committees his entire career, serving on the Management Advisory, Democratic Control, Risk & Bonding and System Credit committees, in addition to serving as chair of various districts over the years. He has also been an active member of the Credit Union Managers Association of Manitoba (CUMAM). His service on its executive included two terms as president and several stints as its convention chair.
After the amalgamation of Cypress River, Hartney, Virden, Tiger Hills, and Turtle Mountain that created Sunrise in 2007, Harry was instrumental in helping form the Westman Marketing Group. By co-branding their involvement and sponsorship activities, the group enabled credit unions to increase their presence throughout the region. It also provided collaboration opportunities in staff/board training and district relationships.
Harry has been a very active member of the communities in which he’s worked, making sure the credit union was always well-represented. He served, often as president or chair, the Treherne Curling Club, Delahunt Golf Club, Treherne Minor Athletic, Treherne & Area Foundation, Treherne Chamber of Commerce, Treherne Economic Development Committee and Treherne Kinsmen Club, all of which benefited from his management skills. He says that being the founding chair of the Treherne & Area Foundation, which now has assets in excess of $1 million, was very rewarding. “This is very impressive for a small community and provides a great legacy for the community.”
He also started a minor baseball program, that began with 12 players and soon had over 100 kids involved.
Harry has asked that the $1,000 bursary attached to his award go to a student enrolled in Business Admin or Agri-Business at Assiniboine Community College in Brandon, based on scholastic achievement and community involvement.
