10/22/2007

Partnerships share experience and counsel at Partnership Workshop

One day after International Credit Union Day, World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) held their annual International Partnerships Workshop. Representatives from nine international partnerships along with representatives from WOCCU and Credit Union National Association met to discuss their respective international partnerships. The representatives are involved in WOCCU’s International Partnerships Program. WOCCU’s International Partnerships program facilitates networking experiences between developed and developing credit union movements through delegation visits, meetings, internships and volunteer assignments.

Victor Corro, International Partnerships Manager WOCCU, gave opening remarks and a short overview of the International Partnership Department status. Currently, WOCCU has 22 signed partnerships and 7 progressing to sign up.

Afterwards, the representatives gave briefings on their partnership experiences and shared knowledge about the challenges and successes that they have faced. The presentations were mostly done in a casual manner allowing for discussion amongst the different partnerships. The representatives were able to exchange counsel and information in regards to handling certain themes with their partners. Some popular topics discussed were shared branching, lobbying, information technology platforms, and branding.

The workshop also featured special presentations. Janette Klaehn, Senior Manager of Communications WOCCU gave the first presentation which was about engaging others in the international credit union movement. She spoke about marketing tactics and media that can be used to plug their partnerships every chance they get. The representatives stated that they were frequently searching for more ways to publicize their partnership internally and externally.

The next presentation was by Oscar Hidalgo, General Manager of CoopeServidores of Costa Rica. Oscar spoke about the credit union situation in Costa Rica, gave the history and statistical data of their credit union system, FEDEAC, and also briefed the group about his credit union and the partnership they have with Family Security Credit Union in Alabama. Oscar Hidalgo had been in Alabama on a partnership visit the week before the workshop.

Finally, Valerie Breunig, Executive Director of the Worldwide Foundation WOCCU, briefly addressed the group on leveraging the International Development Fund (IDF) to support your international partnership.

Overall, the workshop presented a great opportunity for all to discuss, share, and learn about the partnership process and what it entails. If you would like information on attending next year’s International Partnerships Workshop or the International Partnerships Program, please contact Victor Corro at vcorro@woccu.org.


Written by Josh Fetting, International Partnerships Program Specialist

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