Greenbelt News Review

Vol. 25 No. 50

Fine Co-op Spirit

TO THE EDITOR:

One of the most wonderful things happened to me. Twin Pines Savings and Loan Association where I am employed, sent me to the Co-op Institute for an education on co-ops. Out of twelve excellent courses that were given I was only able to get in two because time was scarce.

I took the course, "The Role of the Employee in a Co-op" led by Glenn Slivinski, who is a representative of Nationwide. He taught us about what our employer expects from us, human relations, speaking, how to listen, public relations. This opened my eyes to the possibility of having all our Co-op employees given the benefit of deep insight into human relations. I think this one course alone is priceless in what it could contribute to making the people in every Co-op transaction feel better and happier for having met each other.

As a Co-op employee I have been exposed to a limited amount of this fine spirit. I learned from others who were there that this same fever of enthusiasm and spirit of fine co-operation was prevalent throughout the Institute.

To my surprise and pleasure I found a representative from Africa, the Executive Director of the Cooperative League of Formosa, five members of Icelandic labor unions, and a visitor from Venezuela with his interpreter.

It certainly strikes me that if these courses can furnish so much information and fill so many people with the enthusiasm and faith I found at Hobart, then certainly our local Co-ops could at least have matched or exceeded the number of people that came from distant lands to the Institute. I for one am rooting for a big turnout next year.

I would especially like to see representatives from all our Co-ops take the course "The Role of the Employee in the Co-op" next year at Hobart. Looking forward to seeing you next year,

JACKIE SHABE