Carol McKay has seen a lot of changes at the Southern Plains Co-op since she started working there on June 21, 1977.
For example, she was paid $3.93 per hour, which she thought was great, because it was above the minimum wage of the day.
“I had money in my bank account. I felt like I was rich,” McKay said in an interview with the Mercury. “It seems like the dollar was worth so much more back then.
McKay has retired from the co-op, saying that now was the right time. Her last day in the office was June 30. Her final official day with the company will be on July 24.
“It has been a great career,” she said in aFacebook post. “I have done lots and seen even more. Memories that will last forever. Thanks so much to all those that have crossed my path. I have learned many new skills from all of you.”
After graduating from the Estevan Comprehensive School, McKay went to the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology’s (SIAST) Moose Jaw campus for a year to take a commercial secretarial course, with the goal of becoming an accountant. But accountant wasn’t a career choice at that time.
So she went a different route for a career in an office setting.
“Probably the most important thing to me was the fact that I wanted a variety. I didn’t want to have a channel and be stuck in a little box doing that, just that thing. And I think that’s what the co-op has provided the best for me (is that variety), because I have learned every role in the co-op in my time there.”
McKay started as the accounts payable clerk. At that time, to do the general ledger or the balance sheet for the company, everything was in big cardboard files, and she had a big machine for tallying, with rows of numbers from zero to nine.
From there, she moved to accounting. In 1997, McKay became the office manager, and then the controller in 2006 and finally the human resources manager in 2009 – the role she held until her retirement.
The opportunity for advancement was a big part of why she remained with the co-op for so long.
“You’re not stuck in the channel of going in a direction, but you can grow to improve yourself and do things in whatever way. Co-op is really good for that.”
She also became involved in the community side of the co-op, which was the fun part of the job. The Kids’ Club was launched in Estevan at a request from Federated Co-operatives Ltd.
“The kids club was huge, and I can remember doing a budget. I had to figure out what I wanted to do – and I wanted to do craft events – and what the setting was going to be. We wanted to recognize kids’ birthdays, and have a birthday cake a month,” said McKay.
She had to create a budget for the kids’ club, and the events grew in size. Not only were there craft sessions, but kids were in the bakery for cake decorating.
A kids’ carnival would be held in the summer, and in later years there was a drive-in movie, with kids making cars to watch the movie. The Trail of Terror at Woodlawn Regional Park happened just before Halloween in recent years.
Volunteers helped make the events happen.
McKay has been able to deal with managers of every variety, and she has worked with more than 100 directors. She started working with the board five years into her tenure, when she was part of the member relations committee.
“I’ve had a variety of different skill sets, needs and tools that I’ve put on my cap … to do,” said McKay.
The co-op is such a good employer, and it can be a career for those who want to take that path. Working for the co-op was never dull, and she fondly remembers the goal-setting meetings and the other things that were coming up.
“I said I was going to learn as much as I could, and work away with skills, and I think I’ve done that,” said McKay.
McKay has also enjoyed teaching people and seeing them grow. It will be the people she will miss the most, whether it be the customers or the employees.
“They’re my family. I’ve worked with some for 40 years. They’re no longer just co-workers. They’re family,” she said.
The co-op has gone through tremendous growth. When she started, there was a location in Estevan, and it was named the Estevan Co-op. Oxbow was added later. Both Estevan and Oxbow have opened new food stores during her tenure. Operations in Carlyle, Alameda and Gainsborough have been added.
And the name changed from Estevan Co-op to Southern Plains Co-op to reflect the regional nature.
“That communication level between all of those layers is very complicated, and something you need to work with,” said McKay.
Services have been added over the years, and products have changed.
Her final annual general meeting, held June 21 at the Prairie Dog Drive-In north of Carlyle, was a tough one, she said. She was able to administer the oath of office for the board, but it was emotional. Co-op members honked their vehicle horns supportively for her.
And there was a recognition for her during the meeting.
McKay said she is looking forward to spending more time gardening, and enjoying the outdoors, with no commitments.
“Me, the birds and squirrels are going to have a great time, on the deck, and just enjoying the yard,” McKay said with a laugh.
McKay encourages people to view things with a positive outlook. There is a lesson in everything, and she hopes people will grow and learn every day.
“We do not have choice in what comes our way; we do have choice in how we respond. Love what you do. Choose to be happy. Smile. Enjoy every minute of every day.”
