Nominated by Capital Credit Union, Fredericton, New Brunswick

For the past 59 years Ralph Burtt has worked for the co-operative and credit union movements in the province of New Brunswick, throughout other regions of this country and internationally.

From 1944 -1955 Ralph Burtt was Assistant Manager, then General Manager of Capital Co-operative Ltd. As a founding member of Capital Credit Union Limited, Ralph held the position of President of the Board of Directors from 1958 -1959 and 1982 -1985. He served as a director of the Board for many years and currently is the Chairperson of the Membership Education and Development Committee.

Along with the already long list of interests, commitments and accomplishments is Ralph’s active support of the youth in the co-operative community. In his capacity as Chairperson of the Membership education and Development Committee he monitors the bursary program to students who are either members themselves or whose parents are members of Capital Credit Union Limited. He currently serves on the Board of the Regional Co-operative Development Centre and continues to be extremely supportive of their Co-op Youth program.

Ralph's commitment to the co-operative movement and it's philosophy reached beyond this continent. In 1969, Ralph, his wife Joyce and their family made the decision to be missionaries of the United Church of Canada, in the Philippines. That country had requested a person capable of organizing small co-ops and credit unions in rural areas. The nine years he worked in the Philippines provided Ralph with many and varied challenges as he worked with the people of rural areas to improve their way of life through co-ops and credit unions.

Through the Canadian Co-operative Association, he returned to the Philippines on a Development Education Study Tour. Also through CCA, Ralph is an active member of their Atlantic Volunteers Network.

Others have formally recognized Ralph’s dedication and leadership. In 1995, Ralph was named "Mr. Credit Union" at Capital Credit Union’s Annual General Meeting. In 1997, Credit Union Central of New Brunswick recognized Ralph by presenting him with the Distinguished Credit Union Member Award.

Currently, Ralph serves on the Board of Directors Credit Union Central of New Brunswick, and is a member of the Board Directors of the Regional Co-operative Development Centre.