MADISON, Wis.– In a first, U.S. and Canadian credit union and cooperative officials have joined forces to select the "It Belongs to Me" tagline of International Credit Union Day on October 16 and Co-op Week Oct. 12-18.
"Despite facing competitive challenges in today's world, credit unions and cooperatives thrive due to their focus on serving members," said Pete Crear, president/CEO for World Council of Credit Unions. "In many of the countries we serve, cooperatives are not only the best way to meet members' financial needs, they're often the only way. Credit union principles must be preserved for the sake of these members and the continuing strength of the credit union movement worldwide, a recognition our joint events are designed to celebrate."
Walking the talk of true cooperation, this year's theme for ICU Day and Co-op Week was chosen by WOCCU and a U.S./Canadian committee on behalf of credit unions and cooperatives worldwide.
It marks the first year that Canadian cooperatives have aligned their Co-op Week theme and artwork with the international theme used by WOCCU and the rest of its members worldwide.
Laquita Normore, marketing and communications manager for Eagle River Credit Union in L'Anse au Loup, Newfoundland, Canada, submitted the winning theme "It Belongs to Me," which represents ownership while also suggesting a sense of loyalty and personal pride.
ICU Day has been celebrated annually on the third Thursday of October since 1948. The celebration of Co-op Week in Canada became a national event in 1982 with encouragement from the Co-operative Union of Canada, CCA's predecessor. In addition, in the United States October is Co-operative Month.
"Co-op Week has been celebrated by francophones throughout Canada since 1958," said Brigitte Gagn?(C), executive director of the Conseil Canadien de la Coop?(C)ration. "Under the theme 'It Belongs to Me,' we would continue to highlight the importance of supporting the cooperative model as a lasting solution to many social and economic challenges."
Promotional materials and products for both ICU Day and Co-op Week will be available on WOCCU's Web site at www.woccu.org/icuday.
–mdigiovanni@cutimes.com
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.