Awards

Each year, the Illinois Cooperative Council presents awards in four categories to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to cooperatives and the cooperative business model. These awards may be conferred on an individual who is now actively involved in cooperatives or who has previously been active in cooperatives.

Presenting Joe Steffen (left) with the Illinois Cooperative Council’s Outstanding Educator Award, is vice-chair Renee Deuth (right).

Member/Director Award

The recipient must have demonstrated an exceptional degree of leadership and involvement, as a member or director, in patronizing, directing, or assisting cooperatives. Such leadership should be reflected in development of the organization(s), or in providing quality services to members. The recipient should exhibit excellent abilities in leadership, organization, and effectiveness while working with cooperatives. Consideration should be given to those individuals who have assisted the general public as well as cooperatives to understand cooperatives and how they serve.

Manager/CEO Award

The recipient must have demonstrated an exceptional degree of leadership and involvement as a local cooperative manager. Such leadership should be reflected in growth patterns of the organization(s), or in the clear values of service to members. The recipient should exhibit excellent abilities in administration, organization, and innovation in developing services for members. Consideration should be given to those individuals who have assisted the general public as well as cooperatives to understand cooperatives and how they serve.

Friend of Cooperatives Award

The recipient must have demonstrated an exceptional degree of involvement as a cooperative friend in assisting cooperatives. Such involvement must have demonstrated an ability to focus on key issues involving cooperatives and on successful efforts to assist in problem analysis and solving. The recipient should exhibit excellent abilities in communications, organization, and innovation in assisting cooperatives. Consideration should be given to those individuals who have assisted the general public in understanding cooperative and how they serve.

Cooperative Educator Award

The recipient must have demonstrated an exceptional degree of involvement educating students about cooperatives. Such involvement must have demonstrated instruction about the uniqueness of the cooperative business model and cooperative principles. The recipient should exhibit excellent abilities in communications, organization, and motivation. Consideration should be given to those individuals who have completed cooperative education activities at the secondary or post-secondary level. Evidence of those activities can be found in the Cooperative Activities award program, sponsored by Illinois Farm Bureau and Affiliates, or through participation in cooperative educational programs, such as the SIU/WIU Cooperative Conference, National Institute of Cooperative Education, etc…