MADISON, Wis.—More than 50 young credit union professionals from 20 countries participated in the first World Council Young Credit Union Professionals (WYCUP) Affiliates Council meeting, signaling an “important new chapter of cooperation among young professional (YP) networks across the globe,” the organization said.
“You all jumped at the chance to connect internationally,” WYCUP Director Thomas Belekevich told attendees. “I see incredible untapped potential and opportunity in our willingness to come together and share our experience. That’s what makes us different. This pandemic hasn’t changed that—if anything it’s made it more important than ever.”
Belekevich said the WYCUP Affiliates Council was specifically set up to:
- Formalize communication channels between WYCUP and local, regional and national YP networks around the world.
- Identify and expand opportunities for virtual engagement to enrich professional journeys.
- Be a bridge for YP speaking opportunities to share global perspectives at local events.
- Support the formation of new YP networks in areas where they don’t exist.
- Empower young professionals to develop shared resources that expand the relevance of financial cooperatives among young adults, both employees and members.
What Participants Had to Say
Several of the YPs in attendance shared what their networks are currently working on for 2021 in comments shared by the World Council.
“We are starting strategic planning for 2025. I am excited about this opportunity to get more involved with the youth,” said Ingrid Henriquez, Marketing Coordinator for FEDACACES, World Council of Credit Unions’ direct member organization in El Salvador. “It’s been a challenge to get our industry more focused on the youth. Out of 22 credit unions, only nine are working with young people.”
While the Affiliates Council is being developed during a pandemic, most in attendance believed that will only help its growth, WOCCU reported.
Elvis Espinoza, senior technical assistance Consultant at FENACREP, World Council’s direct member organization in Peru, echoed the sentiments of many attendees in pointing out that virtual meetings have brought the credit union movement closer together over the past year.
“We could reach more credit unions and they felt closer, even if it sounds contradictory,” said Espinoza. “We got together through Zoom and this made us stronger as a federation, providing services to credit unions, and helping them provide services to members.”
‘Go to the Streets’
World Council Board Director Manfred Alfonso Dasenbrock, who represents Sicredi, Brazil’s largest credit union system, encouraged the YPs to use this new initiative as an opportunity to get out of their comfort zones, WOCCU reported.
“Go to the outskirts, go to the streets, talk to people—see what their needs are. Credit unions are based on the needs of the people. This is important. If there is a need, design projects (to address them), some of them can become programs in your federation or your country as a whole,” said Dasenbrock.
Advising the YPs to get a range of perspectives, Dasenbrock also encouraged them to:
- Volunteer and open their arms to new opportunities.
- Dare to dream, as the energy and passion of youth is vital to the credit union cause.
- Build their networks with diversity in mind.
‘Great Things Happen’
“Great things happen when the world’s YPs come together. And we’re coming together stronger than ever before in this new virtual engagement initiative - 10,000 Strong!” said Belekevich.
World Council said the WYCUP Affiliates Council will meet virtually each month. Click here for additional info.