WYCUP Scholarship Program Agenda Announced

Scholarship Applications Accepted Through June 1

WYCUP is designed to foster professional growth of talented credit union professionals and volunteers age 35 and younger. Each year five outstanding participants are chosen for all-expense-paid scholarships to the following year's program. Enrollment for the 2012 WYCUP program, to be held in conjunction with the World Credit Union Conference, July 15-18 in Gdańsk, Poland, ends June 1.

"One of the true signs of any profession is the willingness of its practitioners to educate the next generation of leadership," said Brian Branch, president and CEO of World Council. "The WYCUP program does that, assuring that credit unions worldwide will thrive to serve future generations of members."

The agenda for this year's WYCUP program, which runs parallel to the conference, stresses a mix of conference general sessions, education and networking opportunities specifically designed for younger professionals. Events include:

• Sunday, July 15: A daylong educational and networking session tailored to those age 35 and under, then convene with other attendees for the conference's opening ceremonies
• Monday, July 16: Attend the conference general session and then enjoy lunch with the World Council Board of Directors (nominees only)
• Tuesday, July 17: Attend specially designed educational sessions, have lunch with a WYCUP speaker and enjoy dinner with your fellow WYCUP participants and their families
• Wednesday, July 18: Finish your day of networking and educational opportunities with the annual awards ceremony, during which five deserving 2013 scholarship winners will be introduced on stage, followed by the 2012 World Credit Union Conference closing celebration in the historic Gdańsk Shipyard, the birthplace of the Solidarity movement
  

The WYCUP program seeks individuals who have already made significant contributions to the development of their own credit unions or regional/national credit union systems and have demonstrated the potential to employ their unique talents at the international level. Credit unions and credit union organizations that are World Council members are encouraged to nominate young leaders to compete for a WYCUP scholarship.

To be eligible for the scholarship, nominees must: 1) be sponsored by their credit union or credit union organization to attend this year's World Credit Union Conference in Gdańsk; 2) be 35 years of age or under as of Jan. 1, 2012; and 3) submit a completed nomination form to World Council with all the necessary supporting materials by June 1.

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.