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Credit Union Leaders and Innovators Recognized

Winnipeg hosts national awards for community economic development, innovation and leadership
May 7, 2010

WINNIPEG – Credit Union Central of Canada (CUCC) presented its National Credit Union Awards for outstanding achievement during a ceremony at the 2010 Canadian Conference for Credit Union Leaders in Winnipeg.
Canadian Central’s Board Chairperson Garth Manness presented awards for community economic development, innovation and leadership by young credit union professionals. In addition, two individuals were recognized for their lifetime contribution to Canada’s credit unions with their induction into the Credit Union Central of Canada’s Hall of Fame.

National Credit Union Award for Community Economic Development
Beaubear Credit Union of Miramichi, New Brunswick earned the National Credit Union Award for Community Economic Development, recognizing the outstanding contributions made by credit unions to the economic development of the communities they serve. CEO George Greenwood, his staff and the Beaubear Board were recognized for their leadership in researching, developing and launching a business model for the Miramichi City Transit System.

Since its launch in 2009, over 25,000 people have used the service with ridership numbers increasing daily. In Miramichi, a symbol of the credit union system and its cooperative values travels the city streets each day.

National Credit Union Innovation Award

FirstOntario Credit Union of Hamilton, Ontario was awarded the National Credit Union Innovation Award for their Community Assistance Program (CAP). The award supports and honours the commitment, focus, drive and dedication of Canadian credit unions that develop ideas and innovations in technology, process, cost savings and member services.

Witnessing plant closures and rising unemployment in their city, FirstOntario responded with a consultative approach to delivering financial services, non-financial resources and support networks for the laid-off or unemployed. At its core, it demonstrates the kindness and respect inherent to FirstOntario’s customer service philosophy. The CAP encompasses five key components: a financial services package; budget management; career advisory services; resume writing and interview tips; and a network of social assistance and support.

Since its inception, 152 members participated in the program. These members have over $270,000 in their chequing accounts, consolidated and refinanced $736,000 in loans and consolidated or refinanced $4.37 million in mortgages.

National Credit Union Young Leaders Award

The credit union system is committed to developing and recognizing its future leaders. This finalists for the 2010 National Young Leaders Award  include: Jodi Chambers, Director – Business Excellence, Assiniboine Credit Union, MB; Robert C. Christiansen, Branch Manager, Servus Credit Union, AB; Ericka Hewitt, Senior Manager – Corporate Planning, Coastal Community Credit Union,  BC; Blake Reynolds, IT Manager, OMISTA Credit Union, NB and Erin Robinson, Organization Development Consultant, Vancity Credit Union, BC.

The winner, Erin Robinson, wins a scholarship to further studies to support her future work in the credit union system. Recently seconded to a new role responsible for implementing Vancity’s diversity strategy, Erin has spent most of her tenure with Vancity as Program Manager, Microfinance. These programs facilitate economic self-reliance by supporting individuals in accessing skills training and certification, purchasing tools or equipment for work and to start small or home-based businesses.

Hall of Fame Inductees

Marcel Chorel and Sheena Lucas were the Hall of Fame inductees. Chorel joined the Board of Hydro Credit Union in 1973, the first step in a journey that led him to the Board of Credit Union Central of Alberta, the Board of Credit Union Central of Canada and as a delegate to Board of the World Council of Credit Unions. In the latter role, he helped develop WOCCU’s Young Credit Union People Program (WYCUP). In addition, he was instrumental in developing Canadian Central’s National Young Leaders Committee and Awards program.

Sheena Lucas started as a branch manager with the Computing Devices Employees Credit Union in 1966. From 1982-1995, she worked with Credit Union Central of Ontario, earning Ontario Central’s Distinguished Award. In addition to extensive work with various boards, Lucas facilitated credit union workshops in Trinidad and participated in tour of the Philippines on behalf of the Canadian Cooperative Association. As a board member, Lucas chaired the board of Credit Union Central of Ontario and was instrumental in the merger of the Ontario and British Columbia Centrals, forming Central 1 Credit Union.

About Credit Union Central of Canada

Credit Union Central of Canada is the national trade association and finance facility for Canada’s 419 credit unions that serve 5, 043, 071 members, with $121.9 billion in combined assets and employing more than 25,000 people. 
For detailed descriptions of all award recipients and their awards, please visit the National Awards (http://www.cucentral.com/NationalAwards)  section of our web site.
About the credit union system:

The credit union system is a three-tier structure of local, provincial and national organizations. Local credit unions operate autonomously and are controlled by their members. Credit unions are the primary shareholder members of provincial Centrals. The provincial Centrals are in turn the primary shareholder members of Credit Union Central of Canada, which functions as the system's national trade association and services provider. For more information about Canada's credit unions, check out www.cucentral.ca

For more information, please contact:
Veronica Feldcamp
Credit Union Central of Canada
300 The East Mall
Toronto, ON  M9B 6B7
(416) 232-3417