June 12, 2012

& views

JJune 2012

NEWS

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Another Great Year for Otter Co-op!

OVER 5.3 MILLION IN CASH AND EQUITY TO BE ALLOCATED TO MEMBERS OUR NEWLY FORMED BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2012/2013

The 90th Annual Meeting of the Otter Farm and Home Co-operative was held eld d on Thursday, May 31 at D.W. Poppy Secondary. There were 165 members and 38 guests in attendance.

Some highlights of the evening included Scholarship presentations to six local students, election of Directors and Financial Reports for the past fiscal year. A huge thank you to Otter Lamb & Swine for serving the refreshments after the meeting.

We would like to welcome new directors Susan Dodd and Larry Jantzen to their first three year term and Frank Hauzer as he was re-elected to his second three year term.

Congratulations to you all!

Pictured here left to right, George Peles, Dick Mayer, Brittany Bergevin, John Watt, Larry Jantzen, Susan Dodd, Frank Hauzer, Dorothy Anderson & Frank Braun.

We would also like to thank Don DeVoretz, Patrick Freeman, David Gubbins, Grace Muller, Terry Sheldon and Gerrie Wise for putting their names forward to run for the Otter Co-op Board of Directors. It is wonderful to see such strong support of the Co-op.

We are very proud to welcome hundreds of new members each month. For a onetime fee of $10 you can be a life time member of Otter Co-op and share in the cash and equity repayments. This year our members only had to spend $270 at a rate of 5% for the fiscal year to receive a cheque. Memberships can be purchased at all of our locations spanning from Ladner to Abbotsford. It only takes a moment to purchase a membership and you too can start sharing in the benefits!

OUR NEWLY ELECTED DIRECTORS

90Years

Frank Hauzer

OFF SSERVING O ERVING T THE HE C COMMUNITY OMMUNITY

scholarships

Frank and his wife Christa live in Maple Ridge on a ten acre hobby farm.

Frank retired with Hydro after 38 years in August 2010.

Frank has been on the Otter Co-op Board for three years and has served as the President for one year.

Congratulations Frank!

Susan and her husband Trevor live local and have been Co-op members for thirty years, twenty three of those years Susan was a member of the staff in the Family Fashions Susan Dodd department.

Susan retired last July and has been spending her time looking after her newest granddaughter, as well as spending more time with her other two grandchildren. Welcome Susan!

Larry Jantzen

Congratulations to you all!

Must rede

bonus stic

Davies, Amanda Gilliland, Joel Kleingeltink, missing from the photo are Sam Van Noort and Fraser Siemens.

em

kers by

June 28, 2

012.

Earn bonus stickers until June 14, 2012 Redeem your bonus stickers up to June 28, 2012.

GRADE 12 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS Left to right: Taylor

Larry has lived and worked in the Langley area all his life and he and his wife Dawne raised their two sons in the North Otter area. Larry worked at McDonald Cedar Products for thirtytwo years and then spent eight years in the construction industry before retiring last May. Good luck to you Larry!

PAUL MARSHALL is the Mature Student Scholarship winner pictured with President Frank Hauzer.

FOR DETAILS VISIT RETAIL STORE

& views

NEWS

Celebrating 90 Years in our Communities President’s Message: As we begin a new year in 2012, Otter Co-op is proud to be celebrating 90 years of success in the Lower Mainland.

And what a great year to be celebrating this milestone, as the United Nations has proclaimed 2012 to be the International Year of Co-operatives. Our members can be proud of the rich history of Otter Co-op Our continued success is indeed a co-operative team celebration. It can be credited to you, our loyal members purchasing goods and services; both past and present. As Frank Hauzer President well, the success is part of a great effort on our staff’s part, in providing that great, friendly service that members have come to expect and enjoy. And also credit to the management and board of past and present, in setting goals and directions for the Co-ops’ success for years to come.

A couple of highlights that I am especially proud of when talking about Otter, is the fact that all profits generated by the Co-op stay right here in our communities, as opposed to going off to some head office in Toronto or outside the country.

Whether it be profits allocated to members in equity and cash back, or to the new and upgraded facilities we are able to invest in throughout the Lower Mainland, or to the literally hundreds of groups and organizations that Otter provides scholarships, support, and sponsorship of. Did you know that for many years Otter Co-op has donated well in excess of $130,000 a year to the many different community groups that we serve? This is so exciting to be a part of such a successful and community oriented company.

Other positives for me include the fact that Otter Co-op is such a diverse company, with business opportunities in feed, food, hardware, petroleum, pharmacy, and car washes. We also have a leased facility with Tim Hortons. It is this diversification that positions us well for the future, and helps in “not keeping all our eggs in one basket” in this challenging economic time. There is no doubt that Otter Co-op has a bright future, and I am honored to be your president during this anniversary year.

Yours Co-operatively on behalf of the Board of Directors,

serving our

General Manager’s Message

COMMUNITY KID’S CLUB EASTER PARTY Good Friday April 6 saw approximately 500 Otter Co-op Kids’ Club Members and their families attend the annual Easter party. There was cupcake decorating, face painting, several game stations, balloon artists, popcorn, petting zoo and the addition of a second Bouncey Castle. Even the Easter Bunny and Cooper got to try out the new Bouncey Castle pictured here. At the Jelly Bean Guess table you could enter your guess in the box in front of the prize you wanted to win and pictured here are the three winners. Keelie and Nathan won Easter baskets with a $25 Co-op gift card and Austin won a Canucks hat. If you are not yet a Kids’ Club member and have not reached your 12th birthday please come in and sign up or you can register on line at www.ottercoop.com Each time you visit the retail centre you can get a cookie from the bakery and a prize from the Kids’ Club box at the cashiers. You can also register the day of an event. Don’t miss out join today!

lots of fun!

Pictured from Left elie, to Right Keelie, d Austin Nathan and

WINNERSS

Frank Hauzer OTTER CO-OP PRESIDENT

90Years

OTTER TROTTER RELAY FOR LIFE TEAM The 2012 Relay for life was an experience I won’t soon forget. My daughter Hailey & I participated in this event for the first time and can speak for the both of us when I say this event has changed the way we look at this horrible disease. Neither of us really knew what to expect but were up for the challenge to stay up all night and raise money for such a good cause. Our team ( The Otter Trotters) consisted of Maureen Minot (Team Captain), Marilyn Gryseels, Beppie Henry, Terry Koffman, Tim Gagner, Merna Richter and her other half Gord, my daughter Hailey and myself. To date we have raised $4,170.00 and would like to send a BIG thank you to the Otter Co-op for their generous donation to our team $2500.00 which got our fundraising efforts in motion.

Our gracious Emcee for the evening was Bev Dornan who did an outstanding job informing us of the evening’s events. The opening ceremony was inspiring as the survivors gathered around the stage and preceded onto the track for the survivors lap. The Fire guard escorted the survivors around the oval as the yellow T Shirts followed in suit. As they rounded our tent we clapped and cheered them on

as if they were celebrities and in my mind they all were. I fought back the tears as I thought of how many will not win their battles and won’t be joining us for the future relays.

At 10pm the Bagpiper (also a survivor) led the way playing “Amazing Grace” as the rest of us joined in on the lap to celebrate the survivors and reflect on our fallen loved ones. I remember counting my blessings the entire length of that lap and for the rest of that evening.

The lighting of the luminaries on the track and in the grand stand was an awesome sight. The overhead lights were turned off for a few minutes so we could all clearly see the words “HOPE” and “CURE” spelled out.

Walking the track with my teammates on and off all night didn’t seem like such a hard job when I thought about the people battling for their lives every day. As the night went on a few of us grabbed a quick cat nap, caught a second wind and continued on to our night’s journey.

The weather held out and provided a dry event which I was also very thankful for. I heard past stories from our seasoned teammates about cold, rainy past relays and was glad to have my first experience a dry one.

It has been a long time since I watched the sun come up and welcomed it’s warmth into my cold, stiff bones. The sound of the birds singing at 4am was a wonderful way to start the dawn of a new day which I started by praying a cure for Cancer would come sooner than later so my family and friends would be able to enjoy these sights & sounds until their true time to leave this earth arrives.

Kelly Reid Front row( L to R) Maureen Minot, Marilyn Gryseels, Beppie Henry, Kelly Reid & Hailey Reid.

Back row( L to R) Merna Richter and her friend Gord, Tim Gagner & Terry Koffman.

OFF SSERVING O ERVING T THE HE C COMMUNITY OMMUNITY

Coming soon to the Grocery Department!

WIN A BACK YARD W B BARBECUE PUT ON

BY OTTER CO-OP MANAGEMENT & STAFF Details D e will be available in store shortly

Pictured here Board President Frank Hauzer presenting Student Representative Tanner Graham with a farewell gift on the completion of his one year term.

Otter Co-op’s Operations

With Sincere Thanks!

On behalf of everyone at Otter Co-op we would like to thank Gerrie Wise (7 years service) and Patrick Freeman (1 year service) as they complete their terms on the Otter Co-op Board. Both very dedicated members of the Otter Co-op Board each bringing their own qualities to compliment the board.

Gerrie completed all the FCL Courses offered and achieved the Level Two Directors Certificate. During her seven years Gerrie served as Member Relations Chair, on the Finance Committee and as the Board Secretary. Gerrie has also commuted from Mayne Island where she and her husband moved upon retiring Gerrie Wise - 7 years service Patrick Freeman - 1 year service four years ago. Even though Patrick was only with the District 4 Regional Director for FCL. Thank you both the Otter Board for one year he came with a strong for all your commitment to Otter Co-op and we wish background in FCL training as he had completed all you all the best! levels of FCL board management programs, was a past President of Pitt Meadows Consumers Co-op as well as

ladies’night 2012 The Annual Otter Co-op Ladies Night kicked off on the evening of Saturday April 14th. This annual event saw about 130 ladies enjoy an evening of fun and fashion.

The evening included a fashion show featuring ladies, men’s and kids fashions on models that were staff and their families, as well as customers. The models were aided by the trusty help of the Langley Township Fire Department.

The ladies enjoyed appetizers, desserts, beverages, many door prizes, and a 50/50 draw put on the Langley Township Fire Department to raise funds for their charity.

The customers that bought a ticket to the event also enjoyed a grab bag full of goodies and a 20% discount on fashions and hardware. It was shop till you drop.

The funds raised by the entry ticket sales were split between the Relay for Life team of the Otter Trotters and the Otter Community fund that helps out needy families.

For those of you that did not get a chance to attend this fun event, keep an eye open for the Fall/Winter Ladies night that will happen in early November.

Another fantastic fiscal year at Otter Co-op has come and gone, and with it the Annual General Meeting. At our meeting, members heard of the financial results for the 2011 fiscal year ending March 3rd that included the following: Strong community support from our members in the communities in which we serve, grew this organization to sales of a fantastic $154,916,678, this is an increase Jack Nicholson of 21.5% over the previous year. Bottom line savings General Manager grew to $8,189,619; or 5.3% of sales, which is also a significant increase over the previous years’ 3.7% of sales. Over $5.3 million of the savings to be allocated back to you, our retail members. Some division results include our food sales in the Retail Centre remaining flat throughout 2011. Our Pharmacy division experienced a nice increase in sales of 7.9% over the previous year. General Merchandise, which includes our hardware and family fashions, realized a decrease of 6.3% in sales due to the economy, poor weather, and cross border shopping. In Feed, we ended the year with an increase of 21.4%, and bulk petroleum sales increased an incredible 65.1%. Our Pitt Meadows location had a 7.5% increase in sales over the previous year; and our gas bar division continued to play a significant role in our sales growth with an increase of 15.1% over 2010. A couple of highlights of the past year over and above the fantastic results achieved throughout our organization, include the opening of a new Produce Market and Convenience Store in Abbotsford, that is projected to have sales this coming year of $1.5 million. Otter Co-op also opened a stand-alone pharmacy in Abbotsford last fall that is projected to add additional sales of a half a million dollars this coming year. These two locations created new job opportunities for approximately a dozen people.

We continued with our plan to re-develop and rebuild our 248th gas bar and cardlock location, and hope to have that project underway by the end of this year. Development plans are underway for a new gas bar and convenience store on Highway 11, between Abbotsford and Mission. And most recently, Otter has purchased 5.36 acres of industrial land in Chilliwack, for the construction of a 6 pump, 6 lane gas bar and convenience store; an 8 pump, 7 lane cardlock facility; a bulk plant with 20 – 148,000 litre storage tanks, an oil warehouse and office building, including space for a tenant. This project is expected to create additional sales for Otter Co-op in excess of $30 million per year.

In order to effectively compete in today’s rapidly changing marketplace, we must continue to plan for the future. Every year the requirements and expectations of our membership increases. We need to determine what is essential and then set priorities for the prosperity of Otter Co-op. The reality is about continuing on a track record of fiscal responsibility balanced with sound marketing objectives, to ensure that we have continuous development and growth of our employees and the Co-op. Our organization is rooted in history, is relevant and revered today, and ready for tomorrow. So there you have it in a quick overview; where we’ve been last year, and some of the exciting plans for the future. Here’s looking forward to another record year at Otter Co-op!

Jack Nicholson GENERAL MANAGER

& views

NEWS

Celebrating 90 Years in our Communities President’s Message: As we begin a new year in 2012, Otter Co-op is proud to be celebrating 90 years of success in the Lower Mainland.

And what a great year to be celebrating this milestone, as the United Nations has proclaimed 2012 to be the International Year of Co-operatives. Our members can be proud of the rich history of Otter Co-op Our continued success is indeed a co-operative team celebration. It can be credited to you, our loyal members purchasing goods and services; both past and present. As Frank Hauzer President well, the success is part of a great effort on our staff’s part, in providing that great, friendly service that members have come to expect and enjoy. And also credit to the management and board of past and present, in setting goals and directions for the Co-ops’ success for years to come.

A couple of highlights that I am especially proud of when talking about Otter, is the fact that all profits generated by the Co-op stay right here in our communities, as opposed to going off to some head office in Toronto or outside the country.

Whether it be profits allocated to members in equity and cash back, or to the new and upgraded facilities we are able to invest in throughout the Lower Mainland, or to the literally hundreds of groups and organizations that Otter provides scholarships, support, and sponsorship of. Did you know that for many years Otter Co-op has donated well in excess of $130,000 a year to the many different community groups that we serve? This is so exciting to be a part of such a successful and community oriented company.

Other positives for me include the fact that Otter Co-op is such a diverse company, with business opportunities in feed, food, hardware, petroleum, pharmacy, and car washes. We also have a leased facility with Tim Hortons. It is this diversification that positions us well for the future, and helps in “not keeping all our eggs in one basket” in this challenging economic time. There is no doubt that Otter Co-op has a bright future, and I am honored to be your president during this anniversary year.

Yours Co-operatively on behalf of the Board of Directors,

serving our

General Manager’s Message

COMMUNITY KID’S CLUB EASTER PARTY Good Friday April 6 saw approximately 500 Otter Co-op Kids’ Club Members and their families attend the annual Easter party. There was cupcake decorating, face painting, several game stations, balloon artists, popcorn, petting zoo and the addition of a second Bouncey Castle. Even the Easter Bunny and Cooper got to try out the new Bouncey Castle pictured here. At the Jelly Bean Guess table you could enter your guess in the box in front of the prize you wanted to win and pictured here are the three winners. Keelie and Nathan won Easter baskets with a $25 Co-op gift card and Austin won a Canucks hat. If you are not yet a Kids’ Club member and have not reached your 12th birthday please come in and sign up or you can register on line at www.ottercoop.com Each time you visit the retail centre you can get a cookie from the bakery and a prize from the Kids’ Club box at the cashiers. You can also register the day of an event. Don’t miss out join today!

lots of fun!

Pictured from Left elie, to Right Keelie, d Austin Nathan and

WINNERSS

Frank Hauzer OTTER CO-OP PRESIDENT

90Years

OTTER TROTTER RELAY FOR LIFE TEAM The 2012 Relay for life was an experience I won’t soon forget. My daughter Hailey & I participated in this event for the first time and can speak for the both of us when I say this event has changed the way we look at this horrible disease. Neither of us really knew what to expect but were up for the challenge to stay up all night and raise money for such a good cause. Our team ( The Otter Trotters) consisted of Maureen Minot (Team Captain), Marilyn Gryseels, Beppie Henry, Terry Koffman, Tim Gagner, Merna Richter and her other half Gord, my daughter Hailey and myself. To date we have raised $4,170.00 and would like to send a BIG thank you to the Otter Co-op for their generous donation to our team $2500.00 which got our fundraising efforts in motion.

Our gracious Emcee for the evening was Bev Dornan who did an outstanding job informing us of the evening’s events. The opening ceremony was inspiring as the survivors gathered around the stage and preceded onto the track for the survivors lap. The Fire guard escorted the survivors around the oval as the yellow T Shirts followed in suit. As they rounded our tent we clapped and cheered them on

as if they were celebrities and in my mind they all were. I fought back the tears as I thought of how many will not win their battles and won’t be joining us for the future relays.

At 10pm the Bagpiper (also a survivor) led the way playing “Amazing Grace” as the rest of us joined in on the lap to celebrate the survivors and reflect on our fallen loved ones. I remember counting my blessings the entire length of that lap and for the rest of that evening.

The lighting of the luminaries on the track and in the grand stand was an awesome sight. The overhead lights were turned off for a few minutes so we could all clearly see the words “HOPE” and “CURE” spelled out.

Walking the track with my teammates on and off all night didn’t seem like such a hard job when I thought about the people battling for their lives every day. As the night went on a few of us grabbed a quick cat nap, caught a second wind and continued on to our night’s journey.

The weather held out and provided a dry event which I was also very thankful for. I heard past stories from our seasoned teammates about cold, rainy past relays and was glad to have my first experience a dry one.

It has been a long time since I watched the sun come up and welcomed it’s warmth into my cold, stiff bones. The sound of the birds singing at 4am was a wonderful way to start the dawn of a new day which I started by praying a cure for Cancer would come sooner than later so my family and friends would be able to enjoy these sights & sounds until their true time to leave this earth arrives.

Kelly Reid Front row( L to R) Maureen Minot, Marilyn Gryseels, Beppie Henry, Kelly Reid & Hailey Reid.

Back row( L to R) Merna Richter and her friend Gord, Tim Gagner & Terry Koffman.

OFF SSERVING O ERVING T THE HE C COMMUNITY OMMUNITY

Coming soon to the Grocery Department!

WIN A BACK YARD W B BARBECUE PUT ON

BY OTTER CO-OP MANAGEMENT & STAFF Details D e will be available in store shortly

Pictured here Board President Frank Hauzer presenting Student Representative Tanner Graham with a farewell gift on the completion of his one year term.

Otter Co-op’s Operations

With Sincere Thanks!

On behalf of everyone at Otter Co-op we would like to thank Gerrie Wise (7 years service) and Patrick Freeman (1 year service) as they complete their terms on the Otter Co-op Board. Both very dedicated members of the Otter Co-op Board each bringing their own qualities to compliment the board.

Gerrie completed all the FCL Courses offered and achieved the Level Two Directors Certificate. During her seven years Gerrie served as Member Relations Chair, on the Finance Committee and as the Board Secretary. Gerrie has also commuted from Mayne Island where she and her husband moved upon retiring Gerrie Wise - 7 years service Patrick Freeman - 1 year service four years ago. Even though Patrick was only with the District 4 Regional Director for FCL. Thank you both the Otter Board for one year he came with a strong for all your commitment to Otter Co-op and we wish background in FCL training as he had completed all you all the best! levels of FCL board management programs, was a past President of Pitt Meadows Consumers Co-op as well as

ladies’night 2012 The Annual Otter Co-op Ladies Night kicked off on the evening of Saturday April 14th. This annual event saw about 130 ladies enjoy an evening of fun and fashion.

The evening included a fashion show featuring ladies, men’s and kids fashions on models that were staff and their families, as well as customers. The models were aided by the trusty help of the Langley Township Fire Department.

The ladies enjoyed appetizers, desserts, beverages, many door prizes, and a 50/50 draw put on the Langley Township Fire Department to raise funds for their charity.

The customers that bought a ticket to the event also enjoyed a grab bag full of goodies and a 20% discount on fashions and hardware. It was shop till you drop.

The funds raised by the entry ticket sales were split between the Relay for Life team of the Otter Trotters and the Otter Community fund that helps out needy families.

For those of you that did not get a chance to attend this fun event, keep an eye open for the Fall/Winter Ladies night that will happen in early November.

Another fantastic fiscal year at Otter Co-op has come and gone, and with it the Annual General Meeting. At our meeting, members heard of the financial results for the 2011 fiscal year ending March 3rd that included the following: Strong community support from our members in the communities in which we serve, grew this organization to sales of a fantastic $154,916,678, this is an increase Jack Nicholson of 21.5% over the previous year. Bottom line savings General Manager grew to $8,189,619; or 5.3% of sales, which is also a significant increase over the previous years’ 3.7% of sales. Over $5.3 million of the savings to be allocated back to you, our retail members. Some division results include our food sales in the Retail Centre remaining flat throughout 2011. Our Pharmacy division experienced a nice increase in sales of 7.9% over the previous year. General Merchandise, which includes our hardware and family fashions, realized a decrease of 6.3% in sales due to the economy, poor weather, and cross border shopping. In Feed, we ended the year with an increase of 21.4%, and bulk petroleum sales increased an incredible 65.1%. Our Pitt Meadows location had a 7.5% increase in sales over the previous year; and our gas bar division continued to play a significant role in our sales growth with an increase of 15.1% over 2010. A couple of highlights of the past year over and above the fantastic results achieved throughout our organization, include the opening of a new Produce Market and Convenience Store in Abbotsford, that is projected to have sales this coming year of $1.5 million. Otter Co-op also opened a stand-alone pharmacy in Abbotsford last fall that is projected to add additional sales of a half a million dollars this coming year. These two locations created new job opportunities for approximately a dozen people.

We continued with our plan to re-develop and rebuild our 248th gas bar and cardlock location, and hope to have that project underway by the end of this year. Development plans are underway for a new gas bar and convenience store on Highway 11, between Abbotsford and Mission. And most recently, Otter has purchased 5.36 acres of industrial land in Chilliwack, for the construction of a 6 pump, 6 lane gas bar and convenience store; an 8 pump, 7 lane cardlock facility; a bulk plant with 20 – 148,000 litre storage tanks, an oil warehouse and office building, including space for a tenant. This project is expected to create additional sales for Otter Co-op in excess of $30 million per year.

In order to effectively compete in today’s rapidly changing marketplace, we must continue to plan for the future. Every year the requirements and expectations of our membership increases. We need to determine what is essential and then set priorities for the prosperity of Otter Co-op. The reality is about continuing on a track record of fiscal responsibility balanced with sound marketing objectives, to ensure that we have continuous development and growth of our employees and the Co-op. Our organization is rooted in history, is relevant and revered today, and ready for tomorrow. So there you have it in a quick overview; where we’ve been last year, and some of the exciting plans for the future. Here’s looking forward to another record year at Otter Co-op!

Jack Nicholson GENERAL MANAGER

& views

NEWS At the Pharmacy...

After seeing the core values of the Co-op, I have realized what an honour this has truly been. The Co-op’s success is wholly attributed to its care

Otter Co-op Pharmacy has a complete selection of specialty home health care products and services to meet your specific needs for health recovery and maintenance., new also Circulation Booster for a special price $269.99.

Also new Purica line of natural herbal supplement.

for customers. In a world of major corporations, it is tough to compete. On my first ever business trip to the fall conference I learned of the collective network of co-operatives that exist and work together to survive. It was a large scale version of any co-operative, everyone Tanner Graham 2011-2012 Junior Director

We

for your health needs

VOICE OF Otter’s student representative

worked together for the best interest of this community of Co-ops, just as the member’s of Otter are in the best interest of their community.

It is what sets Otter Co-op apart that will keep it strong, loyalty to the community and the resulting community loyalty. Now on its 90th anniversary, the Otter Co-op is in a time of

Otter Pharmacy Staff

Glen Mountain Pharmacy Staff

w at Otter Co-op!

• Full Prescription Service • Full line of vitamin supplements • Ostomy Supplies • Home Health Care • Free blood pressure testing • Free blister packing • True Rewards: Become a Co-op Member today & participate in the dividend program

Wellness Clinic

PHARMACIES

th a Life Coach & tness Consultant

)T T B L )T PAYS TO BELONG

Otter Co-op Pharmacy 604 607 6934 Glen Mountain Pharmacy 604 851 9654

WATCH FOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIALS AND PRIZES COMING SOON

Call 604-607-6934 r your Wellness Clinic appointment today.

Details to be posted in store!

job vacancies

coming events

• FULL TIME PHARMACIST • FULL TIME FEED TRUCK DRIVER • PART TIME PRODUCE CLERK AND • FULL/PART TIME PHARMACY TECHNICIAN Pharmacy applicants please reply to: Hisham Metwally Pharmacy Manager All other applications to Barb Ruscheinski H.R. Manager Otter Co-op, Box 4200, 3600 248 St. Aldergrove, B.C. V4W 2V1 Or pharmacymgr@otter-coop.com hrmgr@otter-coop.com

HARMACY

Parking Lot Sale • June 14-16

Father’s Day Pancake Breakfast • Saturday, June 16, 8am - 11am Board of Directors BBQ • Saturday, June 16, 11:30am - 2pm Hardware & Family Fashions 2 Day Scratch Sale • Saturday & Sunday June 30 & July 1

It’s amazing to think that just a year ago I

opportunity and expansion and a very exciting

was sitting amongst the crowd of the annual

time to be on the board and a member. I

meeting, anxiously waiting to be welcomed

cannot wait to see what the Co-op will have

onto the board, unknowing of just how much

grown to in 5, 10, 20 years. I have no idea what

I would learn. The knowledge that now fills

it will have grown to, though I know it will be

my head is immense. Whether it is about

thriving larger than it has ever been.

Co-operative values, formal business structure,

The Co-op has provides many opportunities

spreadsheets of numbers in which I am still a

to young people, whether it be in the

little uneasy, or simply good business practice,

abundance of scholarships given each year,

the amount of knowledge cannot be defined

or the invaluably experience which I have

by the single year that it was crammed into my

been granted. I cannot put into words how

head.

worthwhile it has been. I cannot imagine there

The way in which I was welcomed to the

being anything comparable to this experience

board with open arms is very symbolic of the

and all that it has provided me. Many doors

experience the Co-op has provided me. The

have been opened for me and I now know a

board was accommodating without treating me

little more about what lies beyond each one.

as a child and resulted in an environment that

It saddens me that there are no more that will

opened up my eyes to knowledge that will last

be able to receive this opportunity, although I

a lifetime. I remember my first meeting when

understand that it is in the best interest of the

we were looking over financial spreadsheets,

board that it is done away with.

playing “where’s Waldo” with each number

I am now more excited than ever to venture

being mentioned. This environment forced me

further into life, having developed an interest

to learn quickly and eventually the numbers

in business that will inevitably bring me back to

began making sense. The formalities of the

this unique world and the excitement it holds.

meetings were completely alien to me, but the

I must thank the Directors and the Co-op as

efficiency of such a democratic system is clearly

a whole for everything they have provided so

evident and will provide a clear understanding

graciously. Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll be

as I step out of school into the real world.

back on the board.

Canada Day Raspberry Social • Sunday, July 1, 12-3 Featuring Gracie and the Guys Hardware & Family Fashions 2 Day Scratch Sale • Sunday, August 5 & Monday August 6 (BC Day)

90Years

BC Day Blueberry Social • Monday, August 6, 12-3pm

OF SSERVING ERVI ER VING VI NG T THE HE C COMMUNITY OMMU OM MUNI MU NITY NITY NI

Equity Days - Members Sale • Thursday, Friday & Saturday September 6-7-8

ottercoop.com

Chicken Barbecue • Friday, September 7, 4:30-7pm (or first 1200)

dial direct

Did you know you can bypass the switchboard and dial direct to the following departments?

Administration 604 856 2517 | Petroleum: 604 607 6912 | Feed: 604 607 6901 Hardware: 604 607 6909 | Bakery: 604 607 6920 | Café/Deli: 604 607 6921 Produce: 604 607 6919 | Meat: 604 607 6918 | Grocery: 604 607 6936 | Pharmacy: 604 607 6934

You’ll find us here: RETAIL CENTRE 3600 248 St Aldergrove (604) 856 2517 Hours: Sun-Sat 8am-8pm Most Statutory Holidays 9am-6pm Administration Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-6pm Closed Sunday Post Office Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-5:30pm Closed Sunday Pharmacy Mon-Fri 9am-7pm Sat 9am-5pm Sunday 11am-5pm

FEED STORE PETROLEUM 3548 248 St Aldergrove, BC Feed Store Phone: (604) 607 6901 Petroleum Phone: (604) 607 6912 Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-5:30pm Sunday 9am-5pm Closed Stat Holidays

Ross Road Gas Bar 29622 Fraser Hwy Abbotsford (604) 856 0030 Ladner Gas Bar 6420 Ladner Trunk Rd Ladner, BC (604) 940-1322 Gas Bar Hours: Mon-Fri 5am-11pm Sat/Sun/Stat Hols 6am-11pm Gloucester Gas Bar With a Tim Hortons 26474 56th Ave, GAS BARS: Aldergrove, B.C. 248 Street Gas Bar (604) 856 6676 24795 Fraser Hwy Hours: Aldergrove, BC 5am-11pm 7 Days/ Week (604) 856 7011 incl Stat Holidays

Fraser Heights Gas Bar 16788 104 Ave. Surrey, BC (604) 582-2517 Hours: Mon-Fri 5am-11pm Sat/Sun/Stat Hols 6am-11pm PITT MEADOWS 12343 Harris Road Pitt Meadows (604) 465 5651 Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm Saturday 9am-5pm Sunday 10am-4pm Closed on Statutory Holidays

GLEN MOUNTAIN PRODUCE 2618 McMillan Road Abbotsford (604) 851 9636 Hours Mon-Sat 7am-8pm Sunday 10am-6pm GLEN MOUNTAIN PHARMACY 2596 McMillan Road Abbotsford (604) 851 9654 Hours Mon-Fri 9am-6pm Saturday 9am-5pm Closed Sundays & Holidays