WOCCU Donates Accountant's Salary to Louisiana Credit Union League

Madison, WI – The devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the aftermath have deeply affected each of us. In recognition of the quiet and unpublicized dedicated work that staff of the Louisiana Credit Union League (LCUL) have implemented to overcome this crisis, World Council of Credit Unions, Inc. (WOCCU) has offered to fund the salary of an LCUL accountant through the end of this year.

"We hope that with this individual's full engagement, LCUL will be better able to pursue the larger task of restoring the League and assisting Louisiana credit unions to get back to fully serving their members," noted Pete Crear, chief executive officer, WOCCU. He continued, "As cooperators we want to do as much as we can to help with recovery of the credit unions in the affected area. We believe that a strong League is paramount to the recovery of the Movement, and a strong League begins with a dedicated and competent staff."

"The compassion of organizations like WOCCU is what makes the credit union movement what it is today," says Anne Cochran, LCUL president and CEO. "We are extremely grateful for this assistance and each day we find new opportunities to utilize the credit union movement's generosity."

LCUL, a long term WOCCU supporter, has been instrumental in several initiatives, including WOCCU's Strathmore program and African Technical Congresses. Numerous staff members and volunteers have generously donated time and funds to the international credit union system over the years.

"In this small way we hope to repay their contributions and their faith in the Movement," said Crear.

WOCCU has also donated $5,000 to each of the leagues in the affected areas: Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The organization further matched staff donations made to those organizations as well as to the American Red Cross hurricane relief efforts, for a total additional donation of $2,600.

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.