One of the defining characteristics of a quality member in any organization is having a well-informed and responsive member. An organization that is slack  and does not keep the members abreast of the developments inside the organization will not stand the test of time and will eventually lose interest. Hence, Tagum Cooperative calls all Members in Good Standing to participate in this annual meeting following the conduct of the Annual Representative Assembly commencing last April 29, 2023, via Zoom Platform, for members to be informed and updated of the cooperative’s accomplishement.

With a large scale of membership with more than 150,000 members, Tagum Cooperative is abiding with the provision of having a Representative Assembly . The conduct of this Annual Representative Assembly (ARA) Meeting is under the rules and regulations provided by the Cooperative Development Authority, a regulating body-  in charge of promoting the viability and growth of cooperatives in the Philippines. 

This ARA Meeting is duly attended by the District Representatives voted by the Members in Good Standing during the Regular District Meeting. During the ARA Meeting, the District Representatives from 16 Districts of Tagum Cooperative approved the reports from the different committees. District Representatives were informed about the Operational Highlights, and participated in the Election for the TC Board of Directors, Audit Committee, and Election Committee. 

Following the conduct of the ARA Meeting, a Special District Meeting should be held so the Members in Good Standing who could not attend the ARA Meeting will be well informed of what had transpired during the meeting.

For this year’s Special District Meeting (SDM), which commenced last April 29, 2023, in attendance of 184 Members in Good Standing from Butuan, San Fancisco, Bayugan, and Bislig Branch/Satellite Offices, a presentation of the Tagum Cooperative updates by the Chief Finance Officer Mr. Sherwin Gabriel C. Petalino and the Annual Representative Assembly updates by the Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Dir. Hermarie T. Esmael. 

In a welcome message, Dir. Nenita R. Malbas, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, said,   “Tagum Cooperative progresses because of its members”. Additionally, she said, “The basic foundation of the cooperative is having quality members – members that are responsible, well informed, and supportive of our products and services”. 

Meanwhile, the Education Committee of Tagum Cooperative spearheads the implementation of the said meeting with the leadership of Dir. Hermarie T. Esmael – Chairperson of the Education Committee and Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors, together with Dir. Monica L. Salido – Vice Chairperson of the Education Committee and Member of the Board of Directors, and Ms. Michelle B. Claridad- Secretary of the Education Committee and Chairperson of the Election Committee.

A series of sessions is expected to follow for 20 schedules across all branches and satellite offices of Tagum Cooperative until July 14, 2023. 

In addition, SDM aims to provide an avenue for the members to raise their questions and clarifications with the reports presented and other queries related to membership in the Cooperative. It is also an avenue to formally present the newly elected and appointed officers of Tagum Cooperative to the members.