widespread layoffs, but by then Sandra
was more confident in her English and
ready to move on. She registered for
a diploma in financial accounting and
payroll at CDI College. Soon after her
graduation, she was offered the position
at SGS Canada, tasked with everything
from invoicing and customer service to
receiving grain samples for testing to
scheduling inspections for trains.
A typical day saw her dealing with
large grain companies, family farms,
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725 Monticello Way, Winkler, MB
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR
completed university coursework in
economics, she aimed for a manual
labour job initially. She found work as
a sander in a Palliser furniture factory,
where she stayed for over a year.
The work was taxing, but it gave her
opportunities to talk with co-workers
and supervisors, and start to learn the
language. She also took English courses
at night.
About a year and a half later,
a Palliser plant closure resulted in
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other type of ag industry player out
there, large and small.
The learning curve was steep; she
knew next to nothing about agriculture
when she started the job and was still a
relative newcomer to Canada in general.
But she was a quick study, and it helped
that she found farming and the grain
business fascinating.
“I hadn’t realized how big we are in
agriculture as a province, how much of
the industry is here, and what a wide
variety of crops and commodities there
are,” she said.
Years later, when Sandra saw the
membership coordinator opportunity
at KAP, she jumped at the chance to be
involved with advocacy for farmers.
“I know from my past work
dealing with farmers on a daily
basis that they are struggling with
so many issues,” she said. “With
money, with markets, unpredictable
weather, with having a good or bad year.
I was excited about being a part of an
organization that’s trying to get some
more rights for farmers.”
The role of the membership coordinator
is both to help members
become more involved in KAP and to
educate them about what KAP has
to offer.
In the latter category is the member
benefits program, which Sandra coordinates.
The program offers an array
of discounts and special perks to KAP
members, and includes deals on cellphone
plans, hotels, health and travel insurance,
and HR services.
There are impressive discounts on
vehicles from Dodge and Chrysler, and
10 per cent off at any Mark’s store
in Canada.
“One member mentioned to me
that she makes a big shopping trip to
Mark’s during the winter to stock up
on supplies for spring,” Sandra said.
“Wardrobe, boots, safety glasses,
whatever she needs. She does all the
shopping and gets the KAP discount and
it adds-up when you’re buying a lot.”
Sandra also coordinates KAP’s
membership check-off, communicating
with elevators and other designated
purchasers to prevent pre-paid members
from being double-charged.
“It’s a complicated system and
occasionally someone will be charged
Sandra comes to KAP with
plenty of experience in the ag
industry, having worked for more
than 14 years with SGS Canada
Inc., a third-party inspection
and verification company.
26 § Manitoba Farmers’ Voice § Fall 2019
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