Leadership Institute Marks Two Successful Days

Nassau, Bahamas-World Council of Credit Union's Leadership Conference participants learned how to Master Breakthrough Strategies of Top- Performing Credit Unions and better enrich that value through an inspiring keynote address by Roxanne Emmerich.

Melvin Edwards, WOCCU 2nd vice chairman and Monday's Master of Ceremonies introduced Emmerich, founder and president of The Emmerich Group, Inc.—a "business revitalization" company— and recent author of The Credit Union Revolution. Emmerich shared her seven strategies for creating credit union success, stressing the importance of practicing good customer service and forming concrete goals. "Providing excellence in member service means looking to provide that something extra, that differentiates," she noted.

After hearing Emmerich's motivational words, attendees had the choice of participating in one of six workshops hosted by various credit union and business experts. Kim Andres, vice president for Credit Union Central of British Colombia; Bertha Clough, regional manager for Coast Capital Savings of British Colombia, and Kevin Zakus, vice president of the Vancouver City Savings Credit Union, led a workshop on "Meeting Unique Member Needs: Leading- Edge Credit Union Service for Small & Medium-Size Enterprises."

Glen Christopher, internet trainer, professional speaker and author, discussed how to protect credit union members and credit unions themselves against the threat of computer hacking. In a separate workshop, Barry Thompson, managing partner of the Thompson Consulting Group, trained participants on the similar problem of identity theft.

Nina Spencer, a professional motivational speaker from Canada, inspired the participants of her workshop, "Championing Excellence: Daily Strategies for All-Around Positive Results and Jane Sanders, president of Authentic Leadership Resources, Inc., spoke about meeting one's natural potential as a leader through authenticity and courage. Sanders will speak more on this topic Wednesday, when she appears as keynote presenter at that day's general plenary meeting.

Tuesday's events were capped off with a WOCCU Supporters recognition reception. Newly elected Member of Parliament, Minister Aloun Ndombet- Assamba, a long time WOCCU Supporter addressed the group. Minister Assamba shared her views on becoming involved and committing to development.

World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. WOCCU 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. WOCCU 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.

WOCCU has implemented more than 275 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 53,000 credit unions in 100 countries serve 188 million people. Learn more about WOCCU's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.