WOCCU Supporters Recognized At International Leadership Institute

Madison, WI—To honor the generous individuals and organizations that make international credit union development possible, the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) hosted the annual Supporter's Reception at its International Leadership Institute in early August.

The Honorable Minister Aloun Assamba- N'dombet (l) and L.R. (Bobby) McVeigh (r) WOCCU board chairman

The Honorable Minister Aloun Assamba-N'dombet, minister of industry and tourism for the Caribbean and long time supporter of credit unions, gave the keynote address, discussing the importance of credit unions and of becoming involved on the local, regional and international levels. WOCCU's Chairman, L.R. (Bobby) McVeigh thanked Minister Aloun Assamba-N'dombet for her continued support for WOCCU.

Arthur Arnold, WOCCU president and CEO, also spoke, thanking supporters for their growing role in World Council's development work and calling for even greater support in the future.

The evening was chaired by WOCCU's Treasurer on the Board, Barry Jolette who reported that the number of supporters increased sizably last year, with more than two-thirds of the approximately $600,000 in contributions coming from new donors. Supporter dollars make a large impact on several of WOCCU's key programs and functions, including the International Partnerships Program and its Regional Technical Congresses.

In 2003, World Council was able to add three new partnerships and fund ten other ongoing partnerships thanks, in large part, to supporter generosity. Three Regional Technical Congresses were held as well, in Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Arthur Arnold, WOCCU president and CEO receives a Supporters check from a Pacific Service Credit Union representative.

Supporters were given recognition at the Institute with copies of WOCCU's recently released 2003/2004 Supporters' Report on CD-ROM and Supporters' lapel pins. "The 2003/2004 Supporters' Report provides the transparency about what WOCCU is doing with your Supporters money. We, at WOCCU believe in full disclosure, we owe that to you", Arnold stated, "We all can be proud of the results!"

The presence of WOCCU supporters was evident throughout the 2004 Leadership Institute. In one of the general sessions Pacific Service Credit Union also gave a thank-you presentation to WOCCU and made a special check presentation to WOCCU's president and CEO, Arthur Arnold.

In closing Arnold concluded, "There is no way WOCCU can do this all alone. WOCCU needs you to connect, commit and engage. You as WOCCU Supporters have allowed us to expand our credit union development work, to reach out and enable millions of people to grow. You are making the difference, the Credit Union Difference. We thank each of you for your ongoing support!"

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.