This Thursday is Credit Union Day in Rainy River

by Ken Johnston
Editor

Northern Lights Credit Union will celebrate International Credit Union Day on October 18 with a free barbeque. The theme of this year’s celebration, part of International Co-op Week, is “Building Local Businesses and Volunteers together.” It recognizes the thousands of volunteers who contribute vision, time and energy to their local co-operative or credit union.

“Volunteers are the heart of the credit union system,” says Orest Gushulak Branch Manager of Rainy River Northern Lights Credit Union. “Without volunteer commitment to community and co-operative development, credit unions wouldn’t be the success they are today.”

“Volunteers keep us focussed on what we do best; paying close attention to the needs of our members and providing them with the best possible financial products and service.”

Credit unions first developed in Canada at the turn of the last century when Alphonse Desjardins began a co-operative “people’s bank” (caisse populaire) as a solution to the high cost of credit in Canada. The concept of co-operative financial self-help eventually caught on, and caisses populaires and credit unions were established across the country, each governed by a board of volunteers from the community.

The credit union movement has come a long way since then, but the volunteer component that links credit unions to their members and community remains.

Credit union boards are comprised of volunteers from the community, while staff is involved in volunteer activities arranging from the delivery of education workshops in classrooms to raising funds for local charities.

“Volunteerism is something that comes naturally to credit union managers and staff,” says Orest Gushulak. “When our staff devotes time and energy to a local cause, it helps us stay connected to community priorities.

“Of course, it also plays a part in business development because our

volunteers are the best ambassadors for our credit union.”

Credit unions across Canada and much of the world will be celebrating their achievements on Credit Union Day, October 18. Northern Lights Credit Union will mark the occasion with a barbeque serving smokie dogs and refreshments to the public.