The Brandon Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of its 2024 Business Achievement Awards (141st annual) at their Annual Awards Gala Thursday evening, in an event held at the Keystone Centre. Business Person of the Year: Carla Milne, MNP Business Excellence (Large):  The Paw Resort and Wellness Centre Business Excellence (Small): Resurrection Tint & Auto-Detailing Outstanding New Business: Circle B Fitness Community Impact Individual: Glen Parker Lifetime Business Builder: Ben Hernandez, Benny’s Restaurant and Catering Services Young Entrepreneur Award: Pinnacle Event Rentals and Limitless Events Westman’s Top 4 Under 4: Megan Foster, Mosaic Engagement; Mayur Nankar, West Fit; Katie Peters, Alair Homes Brandon; Kim Magalhaes, Westman Communications Group Community Impact Business: Kuipers Family Bakery “Being nominated for Westman’s Top 4 under 40 award is an incredible honour, one that I share with my colleagues, mentors, family, and friends whose encouragement and support have been integral to my journey,” said Kim Magalhaes. “I am deeply grateful for this recognition and humbled to be considered among such talented individuals. I’m genuinely excited about the opportunity to continue making a positive impact and am truly thankful forthis acknowledgement.” The “awards recognize, celebrate and profile the accomplishments of member businesses and individuals” each year.

In the heart of our bustling town, one local restaurant (Eastside Eatery) has found a unique way to blend entertainment with altruism, all while keeping its tables filled and spirits high. Several times a month, this cozy establishment hosts a Charity Trivia Night, a lively event that not only challenges the minds of participants but also warms the hearts of the community. The concept is simple yet brilliant: teams gather to test their knowledge across various categories, from history and pop culture to science and literature. But what sets this trivia night apart is its purpose—to raise funds for local charities and causes that are close to the hearts of both the restaurant staff and its patrons. The cost is only $10 per person, with teams consisting of 2-8 people. The Kinette Club of Brandon, Paws Crossed Animal Shelter & Adoption Centre, Special Olympics Westman and Cats TNR & Rescue are among the charities who have benefited from these events to date. The atmosphere on trivia nights is electric, with teams strategizing over questions, cheering for correct answers, and playfully ribbing each other over the ones that stump them. The restaurant buzzes with energy as friends, families, and even strangers bond over a shared love for trivia and a shared commitment to making a positive impact. For Eastside Eatery owners and staff, seeing their establishment packed to the brim with laughter and goodwill is its own reward. Not only does Charity Trivia Night keep their business thriving, but it also reaffirms their belief in the power of community and the importance of giving back. As the night draws to a close, winners are announced, prizes are awarded, and the total amount raised for the chosen charity is revealed. But beyond the final score, what truly matters is the sense of unity and purpose that permeates the room—a reminder that even in the midst of our busy lives, we can always find time to come together, have fun, and make a difference. For upcoming Charity Trivia nights at Eastside Eatery, please visit their Facebook page.

Sunrise Credit Union held its annual general meeting virtually on April 23, 2024, attended by 133 members and staff combined with 13 guests. The meeting included releasing the Sunrise Credit Union 2023 Annual Report, which included the audited financial statements. The statements reflect a Net Income of $10.1 million, Loan Growth of 2.40%, Deposit Growth of 5.04%, and Total Equity of 6.94%. “Our focus has always been on delivering exceptional service to our members,” said Sunrise President and CEO Tim Klassen, “I am proud to say that we have continued to uphold this commitment. Throughout the year, we have introduced new products and services tailored to meet the evolving needs of our members. Klassen reviewed some of the highlights for 2023, which marked the 15th anniversary for Sunrise Credit Union, including supporting many community projects, sponsorships, and events financially and through staff volunteerism. The 15th anniversary celebrations included a $15,000 giveaway won by Cameron Schettler of Grandview, Manitoba in October, and 20 separate $1,500 donations to local food banks for a total of $30,000 during the holiday season. Another highlight of 2023 was the introduction of the Building Communities Grant Program. Fifty-eight applications were received and the Elkhorn Ice Plant Replacement, Shoal Lake Aeration Project and the Holland Outdoor Arena were selected to received $15,000 each toward their project. Agnes Kokke, Chair of the Sunrise Credit Union Board of Directors, spoke of Sunrise’s 15th anniversary celebrations. Kokke noted that Sunrise has grown from its humble beginnings to an almost $2 billion Credit Union during that time, crediting their valued members for their continued success. “Despite stubborn inflation and interest rates not easing, Sunrise Credit Union has had another successful year, as noted in the financial statement.” Said Kokke, “This success is only possible because of the tireless dedication of the entire team at Sunrise Credit Union. From the frontline staff, executive staff, executive assistant to President & CEO, we commend you for your hard work, community spirit and volunteer work.” Chair of the Nominating Committee, Darryl Logeot, welcomed Carissa Caruk-Ganczar and announced Agness Kokke, Doug Van Damme, and Scott Thompson as re-appointees to the Board of Directors.

Westman Communications Group (WCG) has announced the 2024 Connecting Westman Tour. The Connecting Westman Tour is a fundraising campaign for local initiatives and has contributed over $50,000 since its inception. Throughout the summer, WCG will be visiting Notre Dame, Dauphin, Gladstone, and Boissevain for charity barbecues and open houses. WCG’s Connecting Westman Tour was created to support community initiatives and is an opportunity for members to meet key figures of WCG. Members are invited to a charity barbecue with an open-donation policy, with the total amount raised matched by WCG. The 2024 schedule will have WCG visiting Notre Dame on May 23, Dauphin on June 27, Gladstone on July 18, and Boissevain on August 15. Each stop will have a concurrent open house event where members of the community will have a chance to learn more about WCG’s services. “After the incredible success achieved in 2023, The Connecting Westman Tour remains a top priority for community outreach,” said WCG Marketing Manager Brandi Crowe. “The continued response and support we have seen in each community shows how impactful this initiative is, and we look forward to meeting even more community members on this year’s Tour.” For more information about Westman Communications Group and its Internet offers, follow WCG on social media or head to westmancom.com/personal/internet/plans.

The future is not the status quo for Manitoba Credit Unions, say the Boards of Directors and leaders of Assiniboine Credit Union, Caisse Financial Group, and Westoba Credit Union. Today, they recommend their members and employees vote “Yes and Oui” this June to a merger that could take effect January 1, 2025. “To continue meeting the needs and wants of our members, we should merge now. If we wait, mergers will continue to happen all around us. With the landscape changing so quickly and dramatically, we believe it’s imperative to merge now as strong partners,” says Crystal Laborero, Board Chair of Assiniboine Credit Union. Some of the key pressures on financial institutions like credit unions include significant investments necessary for digital banking advancements, growing regulatory requirements, increased competitive pressures from outside the market, and the need to spend more on increasingly complex cybersecurity measures to protect members. All require investments that are hard to sustain for one credit union on its own. “A merger of Assiniboine Credit Union, Caisse Financial Group, and Westoba Credit Union would create a uniquely Manitoban financial co-operative. It will be the first time a credit union will have such a wide geographic reach throughout Manitoba, offer French language services, and serve both urban and rural members through a values-based approach to banking,” Laborero adds. In communications to the combined financial co-operatives’ 970 employees and 216,000 members, the three partners shared that in the last five months they have been completing their due diligence. They are now confident the merger is in the best interests of their members, employees, the communities they serve, and the greater credit union system. In doing so, they will create a credit union that reflects Manitoba’s diverse communities. Caisse’s Board Chair Réal Déquier says that in the last few months it has become clear that their future partners value each other’s strengths and uniqueness, including the role the Francophone community plays in the vibrant tapestry of Manitoba. “This merger is a unique opportunity to serve both English and French-speaking communities across Manitoba like never before. Our partners recognize the deep connection our Francophone community and French language services will have in shaping our new corporate identity. That is recognized in the bylaws and the governance model we have developed together for how we will operate going forward,” says Déquier. Both Caisse Financial Group and Westoba Credit Union have decades of experience working in and for rural and agriculture communities while Assiniboine Credit Union has decades of experience serving urban and northern communities. Together, the three organizations will have the widest distribution of branches of any financial co-operative in Manitoba and $10 billion in assets to leverage for all its members’ financial needs. “This merger would give us the capacity and scale to create a unique credit union that has a larger network of employees who are excited to make a difference in the rural and urban communities we serve as active volunteers. It will create more diverse career opportunities for our employees, who are our greatest strength. We are doing what we always do best, working cooperatively for what’s best for our members, employees, and communities. It’s who we are,” says Garnet McBurney, Board Chair of Westoba Credit Union. If approved by members in a June vote, the merged organization would be the only purpose-driven financial co-operative in the province to carry a French and English name. Assiniboine Credit Union / Caisse Assiniboine allows either the English version or the French version to be used in serving the broad base of urban, rural, and agricultural communities in Manitoba. Following a thorough selection process, all three boards have unanimously recommended current Assiniboine President & CEO Kevin Sitka as President & CEO of the new organization. Caisse CEO Joël Rondeau and Westoba President & CEO Jim Rediger will continue in leadership roles to support the post-merger entity.