This is a landmark year for co-operatives in the province of Saskatchewan as 2012 has been proclaimed by the United Nations as the International Year of Co-operatives.
As a result, a year of celebrations have already kicked off across the province, with thousands of co-op and credit union members holding events Jan. 12 to officially launch the Year of Co-operatives.
That included a provincial launch in Regina that coincided with national launch events held in several other countries including the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Portugal.
Upcoming celebrations are also planned including the Co-operative Week of Volunteering, to be held province wide from May 28 to June 3. Co-op Week is to be held from Oct. 14-20. Nov. 1 to 3 there will be a Co-operating to Build a Better West Conference in Saskatoon.
The proclamation is being celebrated by local co-operatives including Battlefords and District Co-operative and Innovation Credit Union.
Innovation Credit Union president Gord Lightfoot said in a news release the credit union is "very honoured to have the United Nations recognize co-operatives in this way."
"Celebrating within the communities we serve seems highly appropriate since co-operatives invest a significant portion of their profits to not only improving service to members but also to supporting the communities our members live in."
Board president Randy Graham of Battleford and District Co-operative said in a statement that the year "offers an important opportunity to educate the public about the enormous role co-operatives play in building communities and creating jobs here in Canada and worldwide."
