World Council's GAC International Reception Features Canadian System

Madison, WI—As a prelude to Credit Union National Association's Governmental Affairs Conference (CUNA GAC), World Council of Credit Unions, Inc. (WOCCU) will host its annual WOCCU Supporters Reception Saturday, February 24, at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC.

The reception includes a preview of the World Credit Union Conference in Calgary, Canada, July 29–August 1. Special guests include Dave Phillips, Canadian Central Credit Union CEO, Penny Reeves and Bobby McVeigh, World Council board members representing Canada, and Ron McMorran, representative of the Canadian Ambassador.

World Council CEO Pete Crear and board chairman Gary Plank will also share the stage during a short program.

"The reception is a personal opportunity to thank our credit union supporters and tell them the difference they make helping people in difficult places up the ladder of success," Crear said. "This is made possible by bringing together credit union people from developed and developing movements."

Reception attendees will have the opportunity to network with credit union leaders from United States, including the newly appointed WOCCU Supporters advisory group: Barry Jolette, San Mateo Credit Union; Dick Ensweiler, Texas Credit Union League; Tom Sargent, First Tech Credit Union; John Fiore, Motorola Employees Credit Union; Bruce Foulke, American Heritage Federal Credit Union; Sarah Turner, Maryland and DC Credit Union League; Teresa Freeborn, Xerox Federal Credit Union. John Gilbert, World Council Board member from the Australian movement, also serves in the advisory group.

The reception will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with program speakers beginning at 6:15 p.m. Current WOCCU Supporters and a guest are welcome to attend.

Reception attendees must RSVP by February 12; late registrations will not be accepted due to embassy security requirements.

WOCCU Supporters are individuals that give at least $500 and credit union organizations that donate at least $1000 annually to World Council's international development programs. Together, World Council and these donors develop and improve credit unions—and their members' lives—around the world. Last year, WOCCU Supporters made possible the International Partnership Program, the African Credit Union Congress and enhancements to several credit union projects around the world.

To see if you or your credit union is a WOCCU Supporter, or to become a Supporter, visit www.woccu.org or call Valerie Breunig, Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions manager, 608-231-7353.

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.