Vote Online Today for the 2006 ICU Day Theme

Madison, WI - Credit union leaders, staff members, and volunteers all over the world are encouraged to participate in an online poll, voting for their favorite 2006 International Credit Union (ICU) Day theme on the World Council of Credit Unions, Inc. (WOCCU) website. Click here to cast your vote!

Individuals can choose their favorite theme from one of five finalists. The winning theme will be announced online on May 18th. The finalists include:

Credit Unions: Making a World of Difference.

Credit Unions: Membership Means Ownership

Credit Unions: Own Your Future

Credit Unions: Leaders in Providing Access

Credit Unions: Where Community Comes First

International Credit Union Day celebrates the history, tradition and spirit of the international credit union movement. Established in 1948, International Credit Union Day is celebrated annually on the third Thursday in October, bringing people together to reflect upon their cooperative history, credit union achievements and to promote the credit union idea around the world. It's a holiday that crosses religious, political, cultural and language barriers - one that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Members of World Council celebrate the day with open houses, picnics, fairs, and parades. International Credit Union Day is an open invitation to more than 136 million members in 43,147 credit unions around the world to share the credit union experience.

"It's up to individuals, credit unions, chapters, leagues and members from movements around the world to select their favorite ICU Day theme for 2006," noted Kimberly Johnston, WOCCU marketing and communications officer. "Part of the credit union difference is that we are democratically organized and operated institutions. What better way to celebrate ICU Day than to have the theme picked democratically by members, staff and volunteers around the world."

El Consejo Mundial de Cooperativas de Ahorro y Crédito es la asociación gremial y agencia de desarrollo para el sistema internacional de cooperativas de ahorro y crédito. El Consejo Mundial promueve el crecimiento sustentable de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito y otras cooperativas financieras en todo el mundo a fin de facultar a las personas para que mejoren su calidad de vida a través del acceso a servicios financieros asequibles y de alta calidad. El Consejo Mundial realiza esfuerzos de defensa activa en representación del sistema global de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito ante organizaciones internacionales y trabaja con gobiernos nacionales para mejorar la legislación y la regulación. Sus programas de asistencia técnica introducen nuevas herramientas y tecnologías para fortalecer el desempeño financiero de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito y profundizar su alcance comunitario.

El Consejo Mundial ha implementado 290 programas de asistencia técnica en 71 países. A nivel mundial, 51,000 cooperativas de ahorro y crédito en 100 países atienden a 196 millones de personas. Obtenga más información sobre el impacto global del Consejo Mundial en www.woccu.org.