By Kevon Browne
St Kitts and Nevis (WINN): International Credit Union Day is observed worldwide on October 15 to raise awareness of the importance and relevance of credit unions.
This year, while acknowledging the impact of COVID-19, the Credit Union National Association offered assurances that credit unions stayed true to their cooperative principles.
The International Credit Union Day’s theme is “Inspiring hope for a global community.”
In an address on October 11, 2020, Prime Minister, Dr. Timothy Harris in his capacity as the Minister of Finance announced a week of activities to be celebrated until Saturday (October 17).
During a special broadcast on WINN Monday (October 12), representatives from local cooperatives elaborated on the week of activities to celebrate International Credit Union Day.
On St. Kitts:
Oct. 11 – Address to officially open Credit Union Week
– Credit Union Church Services
Oct. 12 – Radio visits to Winn FM and Freedom FM
Oct. 13 – Radio visits to ZIZ Radio and VON Radio
Oct. 14 – Presentation to Alexandra Hospital
– Donation by the St. Kitts and Nevis National Co-operative League
Oct. 15 – Member Appreciation Day
With an additional event the following week to include:
Oct. 29 – the Credit Unions game show entitled The Battle of the Credit Union Champions and will feature 16 personalities and 4 teams from the 4 affiliates with a grand prize of $5,000 and all other prizes will be donated to deserving schools and charities. And on Nevis:
Oct. 11 – Address to officially open Credit Union Week
– Credit Union Church Services
Oct. 12 – Presentations and donations to:
*new scholarship recipients
*Social Services
*Pink Lily Cancer Care
– Radio visits to WINN FM and Freedom FM
Oct. 13 – Radio visits to ZIZ Radio and VON Radio
Oct. 14 – Presentation to Alexandra Hospital
– Donation by the St. Kitts and Nevis National Co-operative League
Oct. 15 – International Credit Union Day
*Radio and TV Address
– Health Talk (virtual)
Oct. 16 – Member Appreciation Day
With two additional events the following week to include:
Oct. 24 – NCCU Health Walk
Oct. 29 – Credit Union Game Show
Saint Kitts and Nevis National Cooperative League comprise four affiliate members: They are the Nevis Cooperative Credit Union Limited, The Saint Kitts Cooperative Credit Union Limited, Police Cooperative Credit Union Limited and First Federal Cooperative Credit Union formerly FNB Enterprise Cooperative Credit Union Limited.
The Prime Minister gave some history on the establishment of Credit Unions in the federation
“The Federation’s first credit union was the Nevis Cooperative Credit Union established in 1966 by Wilbert Edmund Ingle Blackett.
This was followed by the St. Kitts Cooperative Credit Union which was registered in 1982.”
Harris later gave a snapshot of the current member of the league in the federations as well as their various assets.
“I am advised that the four credit union previously named As at December 2018, had the following cumulative statistics, a membership of 27,562…Asset base at easy EC$378.8 million dollars…Savings standing at EC$313.2 million dollars and loans at EC$ 258.3 million dollars. Employment across the sector comprises of 96 full-time workers.”
Oct. 11 – Address to officially open Credit Union Week
– Credit Union Church Services
Oct. 12 – Presentations and donations to:
*new scholarship recipients
*Social Services
*Pink Lily Cancer Care
– Radio visits to WINN FM and Freedom FM
Oct. 13 – Radio visits to ZIZ Radio and VON Radio
Oct. 14 – Presentation to Alexandra Hospital
– Donation by the St. Kitts and Nevis National Co-operative League
Oct. 15 – International Credit Union Day
*Radio and TV Address
– Health Talk (virtual)
Oct. 16 – Member Appreciation Day
With two additional events the following week to include:
Oct. 24 – NCCU Health Walk
Oct. 29 – Credit Union Game Show
