This year, DSI Tandem Co-op Resources, nominated by the Co-op Housing Development Group will receive a Manitoba Cooperative Association Co-op Achievement Award. The award recognizes and honours cooperative organizations in Manitoba that have made significant contributions in innovation, achievement and initiatives toward the development and success of co-operative services, co-operative members, and their communities.
The award recipients will receive their awards at MCA’s annual awards banquet which will be held on Wednesday, October 18 at the Norwood Hotel. (Excerpted from Manitoba Cooperative Association “Co-op Connections”)
Old Grace Housing Co-operative Board of Directors President Sandra Hardy provided the following letter of recommendation to MCA during the selection process.
On behalf of the Old Grace Housing Co-operative (OGHC), I am writing to support the nomination of DSI Tandem Co-op Resources for a Co-operative Achievement Award.
OGHC has worked with DSI for the past four years as we brought our housing co-op from the idea stage to its current construction stage. We have benefitted greatly from the expertise, support, skill and passion that Karl Falk and Harry Haid of DSI Tandem bring to their co-op development work.
DSI provided solid guidance through all the technical and regulatory aspects of creating the co-op. They are supportive of the evolutionary process of a fledgling co-op, and patient with its growing pains. They are generous with their time and expertise, providing value far beyond their fees.
Their experience with design, financing, construction, membership development, and government relations makes them a most valued advisor. Always willing to answer questions and lend their expertise, DSI truly made it possible for OGHC to reach its current stage of development. As DSI is a worker co-op, they understand all the constraints and requirements of developing and maintaining a co-op. We could not have done it without them.
DSI has made an enormous contribution to the development of co-op housing in Manitoba. We know that many other groups have benefitted from their expertise and generosity, and that they actively support non-profit groups and associations promoting non-profit and co-operative housing.
For these, and many more reasons, DSI Tandem richly deserves this recognition.