Announcing the 2020 Hall of Fame Inductees

Four outstanding cooperative leaders will receive the cooperative community's most prestigious honor when they are inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame on May 6 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The inductees are Ben Burkett, State Coordinator, Mississippi Association of Cooperatives; Everett M. Dobrinski, former Board Chair, CoBank; Carmen Huertas-Noble, Professor, City University of New York School of Law; and Michael Mercer, CEO, League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates.

A long-time advocate for black farmers in the Black belt, Ben Burkett has spent the last forty years as a farmer and cooperative organizer in Petal, Mississippi. To fight the ingrained discrimination that denied Black farmers open markets for their crops, access to federal and state programs, and even retention of their land, Ben organized neighboring farm families to sell their crop in Chicago, and later helped to develop the Indian Spring Farmers Association. Ben was appointed to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency committee by Mike Espy, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Secretary of Agriculture under the Clinton Administration, where his work helped to raise the profile of agricultural and handicraft co-ops throughout the South. As a tireless promoter and advocate for the cooperative business model, Ben’s knack for connecting farmers globally and bringing them together for a common cause has made him a sought-after speaker, trainer, organizer and a true example of the cooperative spirit.

A third-generation grain and oilseed farmer, Everett M. Dobrinski recognized at an early age the value of cooperatives in providing essential services that his family farm needed to compete in a global marketplace. Everett served on the board of directors of the Verendrye Electric Cooperative where he became Chair in 1990. In that capacity, he was instrumental in financing a new daycare and convenience store in the more rural parts of Verendrye’s territory. An advocate of cooperative education, Everett frequently educated members about cooperatives and championed the need for Cooperative Education Directors in other industry sectors and provided valuable advice to develop curriculum about cooperatives for high school and college students. He served on the CoBank Board of Directors from 1999-2008 and as Chair from 2008-2018 where he helped CoBank and the Farm Credit System weather the U.S. financial crisis in 2007-2008. His leadership enabled agricultural cooperatives to maintain access to credit.

Carmen Huertas-Noble spent her professional career laying the tracks for a sustainable worker cooperative sector in New York City and beyond. Known for her conviction, fortitude, and determination, Carmen advocates for worker cooperatives as tools to fight income inequality and to alter traditional power and wealth dynamics. As a Senior Staff Attorney in the Community Development Project of the Urban Justice Center, Carmen counseled cooperatives in navigating legal entity formation options and on creating democratic governance structures. She partnered with the Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC-NY) in creating COLORS, a worker-owned restaurant in Manhattan and with Green Worker Cooperatives to develop ReBuilders Source, a cooperative that collected and sold recycled construction materials and equipment. As the Founding Director of the Community & Economic Development Clinic (CEDC) at CUNY Law School, Carmen has educated and trained over 200 students in cooperative law. An important ally for worker cooperatives, Carmen’s insight, experience, and tireless efforts are creating the eco-system worker cooperatives need to flourish.

A statesman and visionary leader in the credit union and cooperative movement, Mike Mercer spent his career “connecting the dots” between credit unions, cooperatives, cultures and institutions all with the goal of improving the financial lives of working people. Mike has championed financial products and services that meet the needs of working-class members, such as used vehicle loans for low-credit score borrowers, small value personal loans, and saving programs, mortgages and accounts with few fees and minimum balance requirements. With over 30 years of service to credit unions, Mike has chaired the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) board and the American Association of Credit Union Leagues. Twice he’s chaired the board of the National Cooperative Bank (NCB). An advocate for credit unions, Mike is credited with securing the support for the Credit Union Membership Access Act from then Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. The passage of this law ensured the survival of the credit union movement after the Supreme Court ruled against a broader interpretation of the Federal Credit Union Act. Mike encourages cooperation amongst credit unions for both information sharing and efficiency.

Cooperators from across the country will gather at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on May 6, 2020 to celebrate the vast achievements of these four cooperative heroes. Prior to the ceremony, all four inductees will participate in the Cooperative Issues Forum, a panel event open to all interested cooperators.

Tickets for the Hall of Fame are now available for purchase. Individuals interested in sponsorship opportunities may visit the Hall of Fame website to learn more.

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The Cooperative Hall of Fame recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding cooperative leaders. Housed in the offices of the National Cooperative Business Association in Washington, DC, there is a permanent collection of commemorative plaques for each inductee. The Cooperative Development Foundation administers the Cooperative Hall of Fame. Nominations are received annually and reviewed by a screening and selection committee, each composed of current leaders from the various sectors of the U.S. cooperative movement.

The Cooperative Development Foundation promotes community, economic and social development through cooperatives. CDF is a thought leader in the use of cooperatives to create resilient communities, including the housing and care needs of seniors. Through its funds, fiscal sponsorships, and fundraising, CDF provides grants and loans that foster cooperative development domestically and abroad.

NCBA CLUSA Announces Scholarship to the Cooperative Leaders and Scholars Institute

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA CLUSA) announced today that it will be providing scholarships for the Cooperative Leaders and Scholars Institute for the third consecutive year. The Cooperative Leaders and Scholars Institute will be held from October 1 through 4, 2019 at the Sheraton Pentagon City, Arlington, VA. First offered in 2016, the scholarship provides recipients with access to networking and development opportunities as well as access to 2019 NCBA CLUSA Co-op IMPACT Conference sessions and social events. Young professionals (ages 18-35) beginning their career in cooperative businesses, credit unions and mutual insurance, post- secondary students of all ages with an interest in cooperatives, credit unions and mutual insurance, and individuals with an agricultural and/or rural background are highly encouraged to apply.

Participants in the Cooperative Leaders and Scholars Institute will attend the full 2019 NCBA CLUSA Co-op IMPACT Conference and participate in exclusive orientation and networking events designed specifically to meet their interests and broaden their understanding of the impact co-ops have on the economy. The program mentor is Cathy Statz, current Education Director for the Wisconsin Farmers Union and Co-Secretary of the Association of Cooperative Educators. In addition to conference registration, the scholarship includes a travel stipend of $500 and shared accommodations at the conference hotel. Individuals interested in applying or looking to nominate cooperators for the scholarship may contact Gregory Irving at [email protected].

Scholarships valued at $1700 a participant are made possible by generous donations from cooperative organizations across the country. Those interested in sponsoring an attendee may reach out to Gregory Irving as well. For additional information, visit the NCBA CLUSA website.

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About NCBA CLUSA The National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA CLUSA) is a 501(c)(3) non- profit headquartered in Washington, DC. NCBA CLUSA works to build a more inclusive economy that empowers people to contribute to shared prosperity and well-being for themselves and future generations. By leveraging the shared resources of the cooperative movement, they seek to engage, partner with, and empower people from all walks of life – particularly those left behind by a shifting economy and facing the greatest economic and societal barriers. They accomplish this work through collaborative partnerships in development, advocacy, public awareness, and thought leadership.