DENVER–They quoted Jesus and John Lennon. Cheered their country’s flags. And were told the 200 million people globally who belong to credit unions are a small number compared to the 2.5 billion who could use one.
Approximately 3,000 people were on hand in the Mile High City for the opening session of the joint World Council of CU’s World CU Conference and CUNA’s America’s Credit Union Conference. They heard passionate remarks about the role credit unions can play, and were challenged by one person to think in terms of four “R’s.”
The opening session, held in the Bellco Credit Union-sponsored Bellco Theater, included the pageantry of the opening flag ceremony that marks WOCCU events, as well as an introduction of each of the CUNA board members as part of the America’s Credit Union Conference portion of the program.
Below are highlights of observations and comments made during the opening session here:
2.5-Billion People Waiting on a Credit Union
Grzegorz Bierecki, chairman, WOCCU, representing Poland’s National Association of Cooperative Savings & Credit Unions (NACSCU).
“I can say, and I learned it from the local people in Colorado, that we are back on the saddle and ready to ride! People from more than 60 countries have traveled here for something that you so willingly shared with us. Knowledge. Inspiration. Energy to continue our hard work. I took back from America the capital for a resurrected credit union movement in Poland.
“The credit union idea is a treasure. It is not only precious to all of us gathered here, it is also priceless to humanity. It is as Pope Benedict once said, the proof of love acting in an economy. There are 105 countries with 57,000 credit cooperatives and more than 200 million members all sharing the same international CU principles, regardless of geography, culture or religion. They all share that the best way to save an ordinary person from poverty is through a democratic financial organization. Credit unions do not ask for privileges, but for understanding and fair business regulations. We want the credit union difference to be taken into account when laws are written, markets are regulated, and polices are created.
“Credit unions are created, owned, and managed by their members. They are democratic institutions based on the principles of self-sufficiency and solidarity. This business model of financial institutions is a real alternative to the dominant model of financial institutions, where the expectations of external investors comes first and causes much harm in modern markets.
“It is because of these principals that credit unions have an enormous opportunity to grow. That is why we have taken up the global challenge of increasing credit union membership by 50 million by the year 2020. It’s an ambitious goal, until we realized that according to the World Bank there are 2.5 billion people worldwide without access to fair credit or a safe place to save. And this goal suddenly appears very modest. We know credit unions are uniquely positioned to tackle these global issues.”
‘Let’s Leave Here With A New Commitment’
Susan Streifel, president of Seattle-based Woodstone Credit Union and chairman of CUNA: “Advocacy has been reimagined into a 360-degree view that takes into account federal, state and local needs and calls on all of us to step up and get involved. We can do this if we do it together. We can create greater awareness of the credit union difference, as (CUNA CEO) Jim Nussle has said numerous times, it’s not what we do but how we do it that makes the difference…Lets celebrate what brings us closer to today. Let’s leave here with a new commitment to being the best financial partner Americans and people around the world can have.”
Four Winners of Distinguished Service Awards
During the meeting WOCCU also presented four people with the WOCCU Distinguished Service Award, which is the highest honor for individuals and organizations in credit unions. Below are comments from each of the four winners:
‘Reengaged In The Passion’
Dick Ensweiler, president of the Cornerstone CU League, who was recognized for his contributions to international credit union development, especially in Mexico, Jamaica and Brazil through WOCCU partnerships.
“What is it I can say that really got me going in this credit union space? I’ve always had this passion about giving back, but it wasn’t always so focused on the World Council and what it did. But along the way the Development Education program was created, a program to get people to be reengaged in the passion. I learned in DE that the world was a better place because of what we do, and I learned about the work the World Council does.”
‘You May Say I'm A Dreamer, But I Am Not the Only One’
Roberto Rodrigues of Brazil, who has as visited more than 80 countries promoting credit unions.
“It was a great surprise to hear about this resolution of the WOCCU board. I must tell everyone here that I do not feel worthy of recognition of this magnitude. Why did I dedicate myself to this movement? Simply, because I believe in it. I did all this believing in what I was doing, so there is no reason to receive an award. It is the same as receiving an award because I believe in God and pray every day. I believe in cooperatives. And I don’t need to be rewarded. Moreover, in cooperatives, no one does anything alone. On the contrary, the results come from the cooperative work. Therefore, this award belongs to everyone.
“In this very solemn moment I swear to all of you that for the rest of my days—and I hope they are long—I will continue to promote this fantastic organization. Cooperative movements are the future. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I am not the only one.”
The Four R’s: Relevance, Reinvention, Reaching Out, Remembering
Scott Kennedy, who spent 21 years working in the Canadian Credit Union movement, served on the WOCCU board, and has been active in CU development in Milawi and Columbia.
“I have four challenges for you. The first is to remain relevant. We are increasingly at risk individually and as a system of no longer being relevant in the communities we serve if all we do is claim to offer a sweeter product (menu) and an attractive branch environment. We must secure and maintain a position that mirrors cutting edge technology that is relevant to the future of our members. In our communities we must be meaningful partners who participate in meaningful ways and are dedicated to the long-term health of those communities. As bottom lines get tighter, and as margins continue to be hammered, there is a temptation to back away and narrow the focus of effort much closer to home. Remain relevant and continue to develop the broad work of credit unions for which the World Council is known. Commit to continued relevance is your first challenge.
“The second challenge is to reinvent ourselves through innovation. Anyone who thinks it is all business as usual out there just hasn’t been listening. As individual credit unions we examine everything we do to wring out every ounce of value financially or socially. We can’t ignore those realities. But we can’t ignore the realities of our communities, either. Their needs do not diminish in times of stress. It is up to us to reinvent our organizations while satisfying the societal responsibilities we all bear.
“The third challenge is to reach out. The opportunities that are present are unique and the resources are boundless. So reach out and seize them. Someone in this room or someone you know has faced the same challenges you have and they have found a way to resolve them.
“There’s a fourth challenge. Remember. Remember your roots, your ideals, the seven cooperative principles. These are things that have brought you to where you are today; they will not fail you now.
Feeding The Sheep
Aloun Ndombet-Assamba of Jamaica became active in credit unions in 1981. She was the first lawyer ever hired by a Jamaican credit union. active in credit unions.
“When I was 15 years old I heard Jesus’ message, ‘If you love me, feed my sheep.’ So there are a couple of things I have done to feed his sheep. The first was to become a Christian. The second was to become active in credit unions. People helping people is a way to feed God’s sheep. The credit union is a way to help people to be successful in life. Fourteen years (after leaving CUs) I still get messages from people who I assisted. I would like to think that I have walked the talk as I think all of you have, making a difference in people’s lives.”
Grzegorz Bierecki, chairman, WOCCU
CUNA Board Chair Susan Streifel
