Viktor Boin - Chairman of the Board of Cherkassy regional consumers union.

Candidate of Economic Sciences, Honored Worker of service sector of Ukraine.

Deputy of the regional council. 000000001

He has worked in the consumer cooperation system since 1980. During the period of his work, he has held the following positions: commodities expert of Shpola district consumer society; director of cooperative enterprises of Shpola district consumer society; Chairman of the Board of Shpola district consumer society; Deputy Chairman of the Board of Cherkassy regional consumers union. Since 1999, he has been the Chairman of the Board of Cherkassy regional consumers union.

Being a deputy, he is delegated to the regional council by the voters of Shpola district; he is always concerned about economic and social problems of the territory, and renders practical assistance to the district residents in solving their problematic issues.

Viktor BOIN, Chairman of the Board of Cherkassy regional consumers union, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Honored Worker of service sector of Ukraine, Deputy of Cherkassy regional council.

In January 2014, it was 60 years since the day of formation of Cherkassy region, and along with it ? of Cherkassy regional consumers union as well.

Cooperative movement in Cherkassy territory is a bright page of the national history.

The documents of Kiev provincial (?guberniya?) administration in the reports of Zvenigorodka district police officer, dated of December 12, 1903, and January 16, 1906, inform that the first consumer society in the territory of what is now Cherkassy territory appeared at Vilshany sugar factory and started its work in 1889.

The second consumer society in the district (?uyezd?) of Cherkassy was founded in Smela in 1895. The growth in cooperatives number began in 1904-1906.

At the beginning of 1917, there were already 54 consumer societies in the district. In terms of the social makeup of their members, the majority of cooperatives were peasant ones.

Since 1912, the cooperators had begun organizing the district union of consumer societies, which was named ?Smela Society of Bulk Purchases?. In 1916, it comprised 42 consumer cooperatives and 2 credit ones.

The cooperatives history, which has rich experience, has led to the establishment by the cooperative movement of certain categories of values, on which the activity of the cooperatives is based even today. Cherkassky cooperators adopted these principles in their work and life, confirming in practice that the economy of the consumers? cooperation in Ukraine is deeply integrated into the economy of the state and has always been its inherent element.

Due to the fact that the cooperation as a system, being oriented to integration, has vital interest in strengthening economic and cultural ties between different countries, in 1992, Central Union of Consumer Societies of Ukraine (?Ukoopspilka?) became a member of International Cooperative Alliance, the world?s center of cooperation, which was formed in 1895. Its headquarters is located in London (Great Britain).

In 2012, ?Ukoopspilka? became a member of the Union of Customers? Cooperatives in Europe (?Euro Coop?), which comprises cooperative enterprises and organizations in Europe.

Entry of ?Ukoopspilka? into International cooperative organizations has become another step, which connects Ukraine with the world, with the countries of other economic culture and social space, and creates its positive image.

Today, Cherkassy Regional Union of Consumer Societies is a system of enterprises from different branches, which provides jobs for 2,500 workers.

There is a consumer society operating in every district of the region. Consumer societies perform trading, procuring and production activity.

Besides, the cooperators in the region are engaged in provision of services such as education (Cherkassy Cooperative Economic and Law College and its Uman branch) and health improvement (?Ukraine? health resort).

In terms of a number of important indicators, Cherkassy regional consumers union is the leader among the rest of the regional consumers unions of Ukraine.

Last year, a project for renovation of the retail network of cooperative enterprises, COOP-Ukraine, got underway. Stores of the updated model already operate in Zolotonosha, Smela, Uman and Kamenka districts in the region. In the current year, there will be more of them. It is planned to update the entire trade network. The new look of cooperative stores stands out due to the green colour of life and hope; and high quality of service is well known in Cherkassy territory. ?CHESKO? trademark occupies its niche not only in the regional market of commodities and services, but is known outside the region.

The cooperators always support any public actions of cultural, sporting and educational type, and participate in fairs and various delegations, which represent Cherkassy territory.

An important factor in the development of the consumer cooperation, of course, is the interaction with state government bodies both at the regional and local levels. Almost in every district, the cooperators actively participate in implementation of the programs designed together with the regional and district state administrations. In particular, these programs are ?Building new Cherkassy region?, support of local commodity producers and vulnerable population strata.

?I would like to thank the regional and district state administrations, and the regional and district councils of Cherkassy territory for understanding the problems of the cooperative movement, its support and every assistance in development. It is particularly pleasant to acknowledge that the consumer cooperation of Cherkassy territory is one of the few economic structures, which have had to experience so many significant events without losing their identity and essence. For example, the cooperators took direct part in the very ?birth? of the youngest region of Ukraine ? Cherkassy one, in developing its infrastructure and creating material and technical basis. Together we survived all the changes of economic and social factors which shaped the history of our territory. Together we are working now, and together - with hope and optimism ? we look to the future. Our common goal is economically stable, strong and prosperous Cherkassy region, because the potential for its development is inexhaustible?, says the Chairman of the Board of the regional consumers union, Mr. Viktor Boin.