Ray Malinowski has become the 14th individual to be bestowed a lifetime membership by the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce.
"It's very humbling," Malinowski told those gathered at a luncheon last Thursday to present the award. " I thank you for this opportunity."
In reading the citation Chamber executive director Juanita Polegi stated, "Malinowski became a resident of Yorkton in 1967 when he joined his brother Leon as a partner in Leon's Mfg. Company Inc. He currently holds the position of 'Chairman' at Leon's Mfg. Company Inc. and at Ram Industries Inc."
Polegi said Malinowski has had a long involvement with the Chamber. "Throughout his lifetime, Ray has demonstrated great leadership in both his community and the industry."
"A member and director of the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce, Ray served as its president in 1987. Heavily involved in the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, Ray served as its president in 1982-83. He was also a director and member of the executive committee of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
"Ray has been a member and Director of the Yorkton Rotary Club; member of the Knights of Columbus; and served on the local Conservative constituency associations both provincially and federally. He is a founding director of the Columbus Boys League in Regina.
"He has served as a Director, Vice President, President and Chairman of the Board of the Canadian Farm and Industrial Equipment Institute; member of the Council of the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute; Chairman of the Agricultural Manufacturers of Saskatchewan; and has been active in other Associations as well."
Malinowski said he began his interest in the Chamber with the junior organization years ago, and has been an interested participant at the local, provincial and nawtional level ever since. He said of all the organizations he has been involved with the Chamber is the one he feels closest too.
It is a case where Malinowski said he has "followed the ideals and principles of the Chamber."
Malinowski has had a long history in business locally through Leon Manufacturing, efforts which have led to previous recognition.
"At present, Ray is a Director of the Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada. In 1984, at a special dinner for former Governor General Jeanne Sauvé, Premier Grant Devine recognized Ray as a "Saskatchewan Achiever" in the area of business. In 1992, Ray was the recipient of the Canada 125 Medal for his significant contributions to his fellow citizens, community and to Canada," said Polegi.
Looking at the Chamber, Malinowski said the organization which speaks for business best.
"This organization is the true voice of business," he said, adding that comes from working for a set of ideals he believes " really keeps the community growing and prosperous."
The reason the Chamber speaks so well for business, and in turn the community, is because they take a common sense approach to things. It is an approach which encourages entrepreneurs, but also maintains a fiscal responsibility much as homeowners must to keep things going.
Business people face ever changing challenges, offered Malinowski, but they always seem to have the perseverance to finds solutions.
The swame hard-working ideals which lead to business success are also focused on the city by business .people, said Malinowski.
"You never give up trying to make our community a better place," he said. "For that and for this honour, I thank you."
The Board of the Chamber may bestow a life membership on "persons who have distinguished themselves by meritorious or public service may be elected Honourary Life Members by majority vote by the Board. Honourary Life Membership shall include all the privileges of active membership, except that of holding office, with the exemption from paying dues."
According to the Chamber's records, the first Life Memberships were granted in 1969 to Brigadier General Alexander Ross; and Howard Jackson.
The most recent previous inductions were Ruth Shaw and Allan Bailey in 2102.
