Special meeting and dissolution vote will be held on November 26th at the Young Community Hall at 7:00pm.
The Young Co-op Board of Directors has called for a special meeting and dissolution vote to be held on November 26th at the Young Community Hall. The meeting will begin at 7:00pm.
Young Members will be voting on the following special resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED by a Special Resolution that the Special Joint Resolution be approved and that The Young Co-operative Association Limited be dissolved under Section 161(5) of The Co-operatives Act, 1996 (Saskatchewan), with the Board of Directors authorized to take all necessary actions to wind up the affairs of the Association, liquidate its assets, and distribute the proceeds in accordance with the Asset Purchase Agreement.
Important Information for Voting Members. To participate in the vote at the meeting, please note the following requirements:
For the resolution to pass, a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members in attendance is required. The only opportunity to cast a vote will be in person at the special meeting.
Riverbend and Young Co-op have worked together for many years through shared purchasing and bulk fuel delivery. This proposed Dissolution and Purchase Agreement builds on that foundation and provides a clear, sustainable path forward for members, employees, and the community.
If approved, Young Co-op would dissolve, and Riverbend Co-op would purchase Young’s business assets while committing to continue operations in Young.
This agreement delivers several important outcomes. This approach allows members to secure their investment, protect local services, and position the community for a stronger future, while still maintaining a clear co-operative identity under Riverbend.
Dissolution allows Young Co-op to collect 100% of its equity with Federated Co-operatives Limited. Combined with Riverbend’s purchase of Young’s assets, this provides the financial strength to ensure full equity payment to Young’s members. This approach is more direct and certain than equity transfers under an amalgamation.
The Young location will continue to operate under Riverbend Co-op. Members will see the same services delivered locally, supported by Riverbend’s broader infrastructure, supply chain, and resources.
The financial and operational risks of continuing as a small, independent Co-op are eliminated. By transferring assets to Riverbend, Young members protect their equity while ensuring the community keeps access to essential services.
Co-operatives are increasingly complex organizations, with demanding regulatory environments and a need for experienced leadership. By becoming part of Riverbend, Young operations will benefit from the scale, leadership depth, and resources of a larger co-op, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Riverbend’s values and commitments remain rooted in community. Just as Young Co-op has supported local groups, events, and initiatives, Riverbend will continue to invest in the Young area.
Riverbend Co-op is committed to supporting the team members of Young Co-op through this transition. All Young Co-op team members will be offered the opportunity to transition to Riverbend employment with comparable compensation and benefits, along with access to future career opportunities within a larger organization.
Membership with Young Co-op will end following dissolution. Members are encouraged to join Riverbend Co-op, at which time you will be assigned a new Riverbend membership number.
If you are already a Riverbend Co-op member, your existing membership will remain active and unaffected. You will continue to receive patronage and build equity under that account.
New Riverbend Co-op members who require cardlock access, bulk fuel services, or financing for agricultural equipment will need to apply for a new cardlock card and complete an abridged credit application with Riverbend Co-op.
Riverbend Co-op is currently exploring options that may allow existing Young Co-op cardlock cards to remain functional following the dissolution. Additional information will be shared once a path forward is confirmed.
Your equity in Young Co-op will be paid out after the dissolution process has been completed. Dissolution provides the best path forward for Young Co-op members to receive their full equity balance.
Yes. After becoming a member of Riverbend Co-op, if Riverbend is profitable and the Board approves, patronage allocations and equity refunds will continue under Riverbend’s policy.
At the conclusion of dissolution, the Young Co-op Board of Directors will cease to exist. With Young Co-op’s assets purchased and owned by Riverbend Co-op. Governance of the operations will fall under Riverbend Co-op’s Board of Directors.
Each year, at least two Riverbend Board seats reach their term limit and become open for nominations and potential elections. While there are no geographical requirements for where candidates must reside, members must meet Riverbend’s minimum business activity requirements to be eligible to run.
Nominations for Riverbend’s Board typically open in January, with voting held in the weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting. Riverbend makes voting accessible to all members, with voting stations available at store locations.
No immediate changes are planned. We will continue operating the Young Co-op location based on local needs and market conditions. Our goal is to maintain sustainable operations while exploring opportunities to enhance products, services, and customer experience.
Over the past decade, the Young Co-op Board explored several potential partnerships. The priority throughout was to protect member equity, preserve the legacy of the Co-op with a local service, and secure local employment.
Your Young Co-op Board ultimately selected Riverbend Co-op because of its proven track record in rural Co-op operations, its strong alignment with Young’s values, and the successful partnerships already in place, including shared fuel delivery. When Young Co-op needed a dependable partner, Riverbend was ready to support the community and its members.
Yes. Riverbend Co-op supports local communities through donations, sponsorships, and event support. The Young location will continue to have discretion to support local initiatives, and community engagement remains a top priority.
Most important, you will need to purchase a Riverbend Co-op membership in order to earn equity for purchases made through the Young Co-op business operations. Outside of your new Co-op number you will be able to continue shopping at your local store as you always have. The change in ownership structure won’t affect your ability to access products or services.
Members that require cardlock access, bulk fuel, or financing options for agriculture equipment will be required to fill out an abridge credit application with Riverbend Co-op.
Yes. All core services will remain in place, and we will explore future opportunities to enhance them through Riverbend’s broader network and supply chain.
Yes. We value local input. In addition to representation through Associate Directors, Riverbend’s leadership regularly engages with location teams and members to understand and respond to community needs.
Yes. Young Co-op members will vote on the proposed dissolution. An information session will be held on November 12, 2025 at the Young Community Hall. Members of Young Co-op’s board of directors will be available to answer questions, as will leadership from Riverbend Co-op.
The purchase agreement is approved by the Young Co-op Board of Directors and would be confirmed if the vote to dissolve Young Co-op is passed.
The Young Co-op Board of Directors has called for a special meeting and dissolution vote to be held on November 26th at the Young Community Hall. The meeting will begin at 7:00pm.
Young Members will be voting on the following special resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED by a Special Resolution that the Special Joint Resolution be approved and that The Young Co-operative Association Limited be dissolved under Section 161(5) of The Co-operatives Act, 1996 (Saskatchewan), with the Board of Directors authorized to take all necessary actions to wind up the affairs of the Association, liquidate its assets, and distribute the proceeds in accordance with the Asset Purchase Agreement.
Important Information for Voting Members. To participate in the vote at the meeting, please note the following requirements:
For the resolution to pass, a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members in attendance is required. The only opportunity to cast a vote will be in person at the special meeting.