Michigan Credit Union League Home » CU Community » Foundation » International Credit Union Development

Information Central Resources ICUD Donation Form Macedonia Project WOCCU ICUD Brochure

International Credit Union Development

One of the many things that make credit unions special is their ability to unite and work together cooperatively to help fellow credit unions succeed. It is this cooperative spirit that drives the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and the Michigan Credit Union League(MCUL) to help credit unions provide necessary services to members around the world.

The MCUL has partnered with WOCCU to provide support and leadership to credit unions in Macedonia. We are asking for your generous contributions to continue the efforts in Macedonia and provide credit unions the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The Michigan Credit Union League working in partnership with the World Council of Credit Unions has embarked on a new three year international partnership with the St. Lucia Cooperative League, Ltd. St. Lucia is an independent country island in the Caribbean Sea. The population of St. Lucia is 150,000 and they have 15 credit unions. The country is rugged and even though the road system is good travel for one end of the country to the other takes time; gasoline is expensive and private transport a luxury.

During the first visit to St. Lucia by members of the Michigan Credit Union League and Michigan credit unions we met with representatives form most of the St. Lucian credit unions and what they want and need help with was fairly consistent:

• Develop a shared branching concept;
• Train volunteer Boards of Directors in good governance
• Bring debit cards and eventually cell phone banking to members;
• Teach financial education to their youth in schools; and
• Establish long term one-on-one relationships with Michigan credit unions.

The MCUL will lead a delegation of Michigan credit union leaders to St. Lucia at least annually for purposes of training and technical assistance and representatives from St. Lucia will visit Michigan credit unions annually as well.

Anyone interested in working on this project is encouraged to contact: Judith A. Gardi, MCUL International Program Coordinator at 1.800.262.6285 or jag@mcul.org.