International Reception Includes Canadian CU Leadership

l-r: Arthur Arnold, WOCCU; L.R. (Bobby) McVeigh, WOCCU board chairman and Jack Smit, CUCC board chairman

Washington, DC—World Council of Credit Unions, Inc (WOCCU) and the CUNA World Leadership Development Committee hosted close to 300 United States credit union leaders at a embassy reception to raise money for international credit union development. Top Canadian credit union leaders were also in attendance at the international reception. Jack Smit, board chairman, Canadian Credit Union Central (CUCC) and Joanne Delaurentiis, president and CEO, CUCC explained that they were proud to be able to support their delegate, McVeigh and the World Council at the international reception held at Canadian Embassy and on Canadian soil.

The evening was opened by Ronald T. McMorran, Counselor, Embassy of Canada who gave the welcoming remarks. Other special program speakers will include WOCCU Board chairman, L.R. (Bobby) McVeigh and WOCCU president and CEO, Arthur Arnold acted as the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Smit brought greetings from Canada and gave attendees an overview of the Canadian credit union movement. He shared, "One in three Canadians is a member of a credit union – that's over 10 million credit union members, served by more than 1,300 credit unions and French-speaking caisses populaires from coast to coast, in all 10 Canadian provinces." Smit went on to share the importance of the credit union difference in Canada explaining, "Celebrating the credit union difference is easy– but explaining it can be difficult. If you're here today, you know what the credit union difference is. It's the combined expertise, education and volunteerism of everyone in the credit union movement. It's a national and an international dedication to community development and self-help. It's reaching across borders to co-operate and assist others."

l-r: Arnold and McVeigh with Ronald T. McMorran, Counselor, Embassy of Canada prior to the reception.

Attendees also received an enticing presentation showcasing the International Leadership Institute from WOCCUs 2nd vice chairman, Melvin Edwards and the delegate of the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions (CCCU). The 2004 Leadership Institute meeting, scheduled to be held at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, was the focus of his remarks.

World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.

World Council has implemented more than 290 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 51,000 credit unions in 100 countries serve 196 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.