5/29/2007

Peru and Vermont Sign Partnership Agreement


In a recent visit to Lima and Cuzco, Peru the Association of Vermont Credit Unions (AVCU) signed an international partnership agreement with the Federacion Nacional de Cooperativas de Ahorro y Credito del Peru (FENACREP). Those signing the agreement were Joe Bergeron, President of AVCU, Manuel Rabines, CEO of FENACREP, John Benoit, AVCU Board Chairman, Jorge Zevallos Carpio, FENACREP Chairman, and Victor Corro, WOCCU's international partnerships manager.

The partnership is through the World Council of Credit Union's (WOCCU) International Partnerships Program. The signing of the agreement was the payoff after two years of preparation between the two credit union movements. The trip was a follow-up to Peru's visit to Vermont last November.

In addition to the signing, AVCU also made a special appearance in front of the Cooperative Committee of Peru's National Congress where Bergeron explained to legislators the difference between credit unions and banks and their tax-exempt status in the US. The group also made visits to San Hilarion Credit Union, ABACO Credit Union, Finantel Credit Union, AELUCOOP Credit Union, and Santo Domingo de Guzman Credit Union.

The partnership will give the credit union movements the ability to collaborate on key areas of focus such as deposit insurance for members. The future of this partnership will also provide more means for communication including presentations at each other's conventions and additional partnership developments at the credit union-level.


(Picture 1: Back Row:
(Picture 2: Manuel Rabines
, CEO of FENACREP, signing the partnership agreement at the signing ceremony)

Written by Josh Fetting, International Partnerships Intern

5/21/2007

Trinidad and Tobago Enjoy and Learn at Connecticut Meeting

(Pictured is Dr. Winford James, President of the Board of Directors CCULTT,
Kathy Chartier, Chair of CULC, Diane Joseph, Manager of CCULTT,
Kevin Chandler, CEO of CULC.)

The Credit Union League of Connecticut recently welcomed two visitors from the Cooperative Credit Union League of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Winford James, President of the Board of Directors, and Dianne Joseph, Manager of CCULTT.

The visitors from CCULTT were invited to participate in CULC's Annual General Meeting, a variety of educational and planning sessions, and also visit the league office and credit unions in the state.
In Connecticut, Dr. James and Ms. Joseph discussed league operations with league officials, visited the Seasons Federal Credit Union and Members Credit Union, and participated in a planning session with the partnership committee. Afterwards, the group attended the CULC's AGM where educational sessions and social events took place. Dr. James addressed the meeting with greetings from Trinidad and Tobago.

The planning session mainly comprised of a discussion about areas of cooperation which could benefit the partnership in the proceeding year. The discussion led to the theme of developing a good governance model and job descriptions, qualifications, and accountability measurements for board members. This initiative would help to achieve CCULT's mission of reuniting its league after the loss of 15 of its credit unions.

The partners concluded that the visit had an important impact on both sides, and displayed one of the most valuable outcomes of a partnership, the bonds that grow between the people of different cultures, especially when they have the commitment of credit union development.
On May 21, five representatives will travel from the CULC to Trinidad and Tobago and plan to visit credit unions, participate in the leadership conference, and continue the planning discussions.

Written by Josh Fetting, International Partnerships Intern

5/17/2007

Partnership Opportunity Discussed at Idaho Annual Meeting

(Alan Cameron and Shane Berger, CEO of Beehive Federal Credit Union
explain their discussions with WOCCU regarding
international credit union development.)


Victor Corro, International Partnerships manager of WOCCU, attended the Idaho Credit Union League's General Annual Meeting in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on Monday, May 14.

During the Board of Director's dinner, Mr. Corro explained the makings of the International Partnerships program and the different oppotunities available for establishing partnerships between the ICUL and other credit union movements. Alan Cameron, CEO of ICUL, also commented on the new partnership opportunity stating, "The credit unions in Idaho are ready to take the next step and help credit unions overseas." Mr. Cameron continued by complimenting the partnerships program, "We [ICUL] look forward to a long-lasting relationship with WOCCU."

The league is interested in a partnership with the South Pacific Islands where an immediate need exists to strengthen the credit unions and the league there. One of the many benefits to the credit unions would be the possibility of merging which would create a more sustainable model.

As the presentation came to an end, Mr. Corro closed by describing a unique cooperative opportunity between the ICUL, the Solomon Islands and Australia.


Written by Josh Fetting, International Partnerships intern

5/06/2007

Alabama Hosts Costa Rica


During his first visit to the US, Manuel Bolaños (CEO, FEDEAC, pictured at right) attended the Alabama Credit Union League's Annual Meeting in Destin, FL. The two credit union entities have been partnered through WOCCU's International Partnerships program since July of 2006.

The partnership allows for direct credit union-to-credit union relationships. Currently, there are five Alabama credit unions working in conjunction with five Costa Rican credit unions. The partnership provides a way to share information and develop strategies in areas of cooperation between the credit unions.

In an address to the ACUL's board of directors, Mr. Bolaños boasted the many advantages and opportunities that the partnership has provided them.

In Pensacola, FL, Mr. Bolaños toured the Pen Air Federal Credit Union (an Associate Member of the ACUL). The tour was proceeded by a discussion of credit union operations led by John Davis, CEO of PenAir Federal Credit Union. Victor Corro, International Partnerships manager, WOCCU, and Corinne Hodges, ACUL representative.

The partnership has also led to the awareness of the importance of advocacy and lobbying, which has allowed the FEDEAC to hire a lobbyist who has been crucial to the credit union industry in Costa Rica.

5/05/2007

Common Themes Emerge at US-Mexico Meeting

(US-Mexico meeting, Ontario, CA. Pictured is (left to right): Tomás Carrizales,
Federacion Alianza, Ramón Imperial Zúñiga, Cirilo Rivera Rivera, Josefina Cerda Moreno from Caja Popular
Mexicana, Sylvia Lyon, New Mexico Credit Union Association.)

In an unprecedented meeting, the Mexico-United States partnerships
convened at the California Credit Union League in Ontario, CA on April
24 and 25 to conduct individual strategic planning sessions and
come up
with a common strategy that leverages
the strengths of the credit unions in each country.

The CEO's of the Mexican Cajas were present(
Federacion Alianza,
Caja Libertad,Caja Popular Mexicana,Caja Morelia Valladolid)
along with
the CEO's of the Texas, California, and North Carolina Credit
Union Leagues, and the COO of the
Arizona Credit Union League.

Carlos Calderon (CEO,
OAS Credit Union in Washington, DC) led the main
brainstorming session where key areas of action were identified: enhanced
delivery service, internships, Hispanic marketing and growth strategies.
These main actions would help US credit unions attract more members from
the Latino community and also help the Mexican cajas create the
transactional volume needed for new cross-border enhanced delivery
channels such as shared branching and increased remmittances activity.

WOCCU, taking advantage of the strong relationship between the US credit
unions and Mexican cajas, will launch a total immersion program which will help to
facilitate membership growth and transactional volume. The program
will include four main components:
Spanish classes, internship at a credit union
branch, cultural exposure through home stays with host families, and
targeted marketing instruction by the
Cajas
. The program will take place from
September 15 to 30, 2007 in
Queretaro and Guanajuato
, Mexico and will cost less
than $150 a day. Participants will be able to take advantage of the credit union
differences in Mexico. The program deadline is July 31.

WOCCU
will also be organizing a summit in September to create
an effective strategy to recruit and retain members from the Latino community and
to diversify established credit unions.
WOCCU
is opening offices throughout Central
and South America to position itself to help teach these techniques of membership
growth.

For more information, read the press release.