World Council Delegates Elect New Board Members

Madison, WI-During the World Council of Credit Unions' (WOCCU) 2004 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, August 3, delegates elected five new board members, and three were appointed respectively by Credit Union National Association (CUNA), USA and Credit Union Central of Canada (CUCC). The AGM was held concurrently with World Council's International Leadership Institute in Nassau, Bahamas.

Reelected board members include Neil McDonald, New Zealand Association of Credit Unions; Sylvester Kadzola, Malawi Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives; Melvin Edwards, Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions; and Sincrito Cifuentes, Guatemala's FENECOAC. Mark Bailey of the Irish League of Credit Unions was elected to the board for the first time. In addition to the elections, several appointments were announced. The Credit Union National Association has reappointed both Ron Hance and Barry Jolette to two-year terms that will expire in 2006. Credit union Central of Canada (CUCC) has appointed Wayne Nygren to a two- year term, which will expire in 2006, replacing Marcel Chorel.

Other current board members include Dave Chatfield (US); Gary Plank (US); Bobby McVeigh (Canada); Grzegorz Bierecki (Poland), Neville Parsons (Australia) and Manuel Rabines (Panama). WOCCU's President & CEO, Arthur Arnold also sits ex-officio on World Council's Board. All board members, whether elected or appointed, serve two- year terms.

At the re-organization meeting following the AGM, the Board members unanimously decided to renew the mandate given to the existing Board's Officers for another year. The Board's Officers for year 2004/2005 include chairman L.R. (Bobby) McVeigh (Canada); 1st vice chairman Gary Plank (USA); 2nd vice chairman, Melvin Edwards (St.Kitts); treasurer, Barry Jolette (USA); and secretary, Manuel Rabines (Peru). The new Board was sworn in by immediate World Council past chairman, Gerry Foley (Ireland) during the International Credit Union Leadership General Session.

On behalf of the WOCCU Board, chairman McVeigh thanked the delegates and member organizations they represent for the trust they have given to the Board and pledged to continue to work in the interest of WOCCU member organizations, their credit unions and their 123 million members worldwide. He also reported back on WOCCU's delegates having approved a by-law change that morning at WOCCU's AGM, making WOCCU even more inclusive by allowing national credit union movements with assets up to $50 million to join WOCCU at minimum annual dues of $2,500. The change to the bylaw was part of WOCCU's ongoing "Operation Open Up."

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.