GLASGOW, Scotland—The World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) presented awards for digital growth and credit union service—its Distinguished Service Award—and named a new chairman during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the 2022 World Credit Union Conference.
WOCCU presented a pair of 2022 Digital Growth Awards at the AGM.
Nominated by the Indiana Credit Union League, Northpark Community Credit Union received a Digital Growth Award for its Virtual Branching initiative, which was developed and implemented to deliver on a goal of closing all brick-and-mortar branches in favor of e-services and ATMs. The credit unions was earlier featured in CUToday.info here.
“We cannot underserve the underserved and we have to meet them where they are," said Carma Parrish, president and CEO of Northpark CCU, in accepting the award. "And I have so much respect for meeting people where they are, not where we are.”
Sicredi Honored
In addition, Sicredi, the largest credit union system in Brazil, also received a Digital Growth Award for CPR Facil— its first 100% digital agribusiness product that allows members to take out loans using a mobile phone.
“CPR Facil is making such a difference to build a better society and also changing our members’ lives. We hope that this case can be spread to other credit unions down the road,” said Estefane Chaves, a rural credit analyst who accepted the award on behalf of Sicredi.
First awarded in 2021, the Digital Growth Award is presented annually to recognize one or more member credit union associations or individual member credit unions for implementing digital solutions that promote financial inclusion, innovation and scalability, the World Council said.
Distinguished Service Award
WOCCU presented Marshall Boutwell, president and CEO of Peach State FCU in Georgia, with the 2022 Distinguished Service Award. He was nominated by the Association of British Credit Unions Limited (ABCUL) for his long history of engagement with credit unions in Poland and Great Britain, according to WOCCU.
“Boutwell was one of the original participants in the Georgia-Poland Partnership, which links credit union executives from the U.S. State of Georgia with their counterparts in Polish credit unions,” the World Council stated. “Since 2016, Boutwell has also supported two different British credit unions in their development journey—offering guidance, expertise, access to his team, exchange visits and direct financial contributions to support the ABCUL Credit Unions Futures program (an immersion program to develop young leaders).”
The World Council quoted Boutwell as describing his experience working with credit unions in other countries as incredibly rewarding.
“This has been the most extraordinary experience in my lifetime. It has broadened my horizons, it’s made me a better cooperative leader, a better leader of my own credit union—more open to lots of different people from lots of different areas. And this is indeed a great honor,” said Boutwell.
New WOCCU Chairman, Other Board Election Results
Diana Dyksta, president and CEO of the California and Nevada leagues, has been elected as the World Council’s new chair.
In addition, current directors Dallas Bergl (USA), Joe Thomas (USA) and Michael Lawrence (Australia) have been appointed to two-year terms. Jeff Guthrie, the new president and CEO of the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA), was also appointed to a two-year term. He replaces outgoing CCUA President and CEO Martha Durdin.
WOCCU board members Manfred Dasenbrock (Brazil), Charles Murphy (Ireland), George Ototo (Kenya) and Joseph Remy (Caribbean) were all reelected to two-year terms.
The World Council Board’s committee officers for 2022-23 are:
- Diana Dykstra (USA), Chair
- Michael Lawrence (Australia), Vice Chair/Secretary
- George Ototo (Kenya), Treasurer/Chair of Audit and Risk Committee
- Joe Thomas (USA), Chair of Governance and Elections Committee
Below, Diana Dykstra, center, appears with Elissa McCarter Laborde, WOCCU president and CEO, and outgoing chairman Rafal Matusiak from Poland.