WOCCU Board Chairman Addresses Irish CU League

L.R. (Bobby) McVeigh presents an award at Killarney Credit Union's open house.

Killarney, Ireland—World Council of Credit Unions, Inc. (WOCCU)'s board chairman, L. R. (Bobby) McVeigh addressed Irish credit union leaders last week at the Bi-Annual Delegate Meeting held in Killarney, Ireland. ILCU, the credit union movement with the highest penetration rate of any credit union movement in the world – having 2,800,000 members – also enjoys the largest number of delegates. The Irish credit union system was founded, and is still shaped in great deal, by volunteer governance at all levels, from local to national.

ILCU board members pose for a photo at the Killarney Ireland Civic Reception.

In McVeigh's remarks to the ILCU membership he recognized the work of Irish credit unions, but noted that there is still more to do. "The wants for many of us are many and the actual needs are few. For example, for the price of three cups of tea in Ireland, you could support a child in certain parts of the developing world for a week. Credit union work is essential, and through your support of World Council that is happening," commented McVeigh.

The close of McVeigh's speech focused on development and how individuals can get involved. McVeigh paid special thanks to Jim McMahon, former WOCCU board member and ILCU board member, and John O'Reagan, outgoing ILCU board chairman, for their continued support of World Council and development work.

At the close of the meeting ILCU delegates officially elected their first female ILCU board chairman, Anne O'Bryne.

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.