September 29, 2008

SaskCentral recently announced the recipients of a number of bursaries and scholarships.
 The Sid Bildfell Business Education Bursary, the 2008 Co-operative Studies scholarship and the Norm Bromberger Research Bursary were handed out over the last few weeks.
These scholarships and bursaries will help ensure the continued success and well-being of the co-operative movement and to retain the co-operative principles.
“Our best wishes are extended to all of the recipients,” says Keith Nixon, Executive Vice-
President of Democratic Support. “We are confident that these educational opportunities will have a positive long-term impact on both the credit union system and the individuals.”

Norm Bromberger Research Bursary
This $2,000 bursary is awarded annually to support a research proposal that contributes to credit unions and co-operatives. Recipients are required to be actively involved in credit unions and/or co-operatives as volunteers, members or employees, with preference given to Saskatchewan candidates.
Monica Juarez Adeler of Winnipeg, Manitoba, received the Norm Bromberger Research Bursary for 2008.  Adeler is a graduate with multiple degrees in law and business administration. She has diverse experience doing co-operative field work both within Canada and beyond, and has provided research and translating assistance to various research projects.
As a researcher, Adeler has had the opportunity to conduct interviews and to visit co-operatives in Mongolia and Argentina and to observe how the co-operatives in these countries are using the co-op model as a tool to rebuild their society.
She is pursuing her PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Saskatchewan with an expected completion date of September 2010.
The Norm Bromberger Research bursary was established to recognize the outstanding
contributions made by Norm Bromberger in the development of credit unions and co-operatives in Saskatchewan and across Canada. Bromberger, former Chief Executive Officer of Credit Union Central of Saskatchewan, also played a prominent role in the development of Credit Union Central of Canada.
Application information is available from the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives. The deadline for applications is June 30th each year.

Sid Bildfell Business Education Bursary
The Sid Bildfell Business Education Bursary is an annual award and is open to a business student studying Administration, Commerce or Finance in the province of Saskatchewan. Besides demonstrating financial need, recipients are required to submit an essay highlighting the benefits of co-operatives and to provide evidence of involvement in a co-operative organization, such as a co-operative or credit union membership.
This year’s recipient is Justine Robson of Saskatoon. Robson is entering her fourth year as a student at the Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan, majoring in Finance.
Robson graduated from Evan Hardy Collegiate High School and has been involved with her community for many years. Justine participated in the Outdoor School program at her collegiate where she learned valuable life skills and self-reliance and gained a better understanding of our environment.
This $5,000 bursary was established in recognition of Sid Bildfell’s 41 years of contribution, leadership and vision to SaskCentral and the credit union system.
Application information is available from SaskCentral Research. The deadline for applications is mid-June each year.

2008 Co-operative Studies Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to an employee or director undertaking continuing education in the study of co-operation. The intent of the scholarship is to provide educational opportunities for those working toward providing strong leadership within the credit union system.
The recipient of the Scholarship is Ann Favreau, CEO of Torquay Credit Union. Favreau is pursuing the Master of Management – Cooperatives and Credit Unions program.
The Co-operatives Studies Scholarship will provide up to $2,500 each year for a maximum of three years to an employee / director enrolled in a co-operative studies program”
This scholarship was established as the result of a resolution presented to the SaskCentral Annual Meeting. The study of co-operation is essential to ensuring the continued success and well-being of the co-operative movement and to the retention of basic co-operative principles.
Application information is available from SaskCentral Research and the deadline for applications is mid-June each year.