NASSAU, Bahamas — In 1974, the Government of The Bahamas promoted the establishment of Cooperative Societies as a mechanism to facilitate the diversification and strengthening of the nation’s economy.

This year marks the thirty-seventh (37) anniversary of the formalized cooperative movement in The Bahamas. Cooperatives have become a formidable sector of the economy, as there are now sixteen registered societies with total assets in excess of 250 million dollars. Each year Cooperative practitioners, along with the Department of Cooperative Development and The Bahamas Cooperative League Limited, traditionally observe the month of June, as Cooperative Month.

While Cooperative Month has become an annual event, this year’s celebrations are of special significance, and the activities have therefore been designed, in accordance with the theme, “Cooperative Empowerment for you Today”

The Cooperative Movement is placing a lot of emphasis on its members being health conscience and has launched a six (6) weeks Health Fitness Challenge to encourage members to remain and become healthy.

These activities include a health fitness challenge, blood drives, educational seminars, open house at various cooperative societies throughout the Bahamas. Most notably, the Department will be launching its Economic Impact Study which is an indepth review of the Cooperative Movement in The Bahamas over the last thirty-seven (37) years. More importantly it examines the social and economic constraints that cooperatives have made to the economy of the Bahamas.

The public is invited, to be a part of these celebrations, which will take place over the next few weeks. Just as important, persons who are not members of cooperatives are invited to consider joining one, as soon as it is practical to do so.

Some of the events and activities which have been planned to celebrate this thirty-seventh anniversary:

On Sunday May 29th – A church Service at Evangelistic Temple, located on Collins Avenue at 11:00am.

On Wednesday June 1st: – Cooperative Month officially begins with a proclamation by Prime Minister to be publish the presented in all of the major the newspapers.

On Thursday June 9th – The first in a series of Educational Seminars geared towards school cooperatives in particular the Teacher Guides. This will be held at the Bahamas Cooperative League Limited from 10:00am – 1:00pm.

On Friday June 10th – The Teachers Salaried Workers Cooperative Credit Union Ltd. will be having its Open House/Blood Drive 10:00am – 2:00pm.

On Saturday June 11th –  Employees of the various cooperatives will enjoy a Fun, Run Walk at Goodman’s Bay,

On Sunday June 12th – Salem Union Cooperative Union will be hosting their Open House.

On Tuesday June 14th – Bahamas Law Enforcement hosting its Open House during the hours of 10:00-2:00pm.

On Wednesday June 15th – Bahama Island Resorts Casino Cooperative Credit Union will be hosting Open House from 10:00am – 2:00pm.

On Thursday June 16th – Educational Seminar scheduled at the University of West Indies dinning room from 12noon – 4:00pm for the Board of Directors of the various credit unions.

On Friday June 17th – The Cooperative Movement will participate in a Mix Mingle Evening with a 1970’s theme at the Bahamas Cooperative League Insurance Building, Oakes Field, Russell Rd.

On Saturday June 18th – The Grand Bahama Cooperative Credit Union is hosting Open House from 10:00am – 3:00pm.

On Monday June 20th – Transportation Services Industry Cooperative Credit Union is having its Open House from 10:00am – 2:00pm.

On Tuesday June 21st – National Workers Cooperative Credit Union will be having its Open House/Blood Drive.

On Wednesday June 22nd – Educational Seminar for the members of the Cooperative Movement. It is schedule for the Workers House, Harold Road 7:00pm.

On Tuesday June 28th – Educational Seminar scheduled for UWI dining room from 12noon – 3:00pm targeting employees of the Cooperative Movement.

Saturday July 2nd – “International Cooperative Day” will be observed at which time the Minister of Agriculture will address the nation via radio television at 8:00pm. The theme, “Youth, the future of Cooperative Enterprise”.

It is hoped that you are able to join us in a number of the listed events and to ensure that the Bahamian public is exposed to the Cooperative Movement in a more meaningful way.