Sunday, May 16, 2010

CaribDE Day Three – Saturday, 15th May 2010

Posted by Kathy Chartier, CUDE 1994

Day three started with a twist. Most of us are not accustomed to shops being closed on Saturday afternoons and Sundays, but that is not the Caribbean way. Here, church, family and friends come before commercialism so the stores remain closed.

To accommodate our DEs in training by giving them an opportunity to visit Castries, do a little shopping and maybe even pick up their last minute auction item, the schedule started at 2:30 this afternoon and ran into the evening.

We started off the afternoon with another DE “first”. Bob Schumacher came into the room waving two pair of plaid men’s boxers that one of the sister’s brought to him after they were found on the lawn! The 'Prez' reluctantly claimed them to a great deal of laughter, while our 'Michelle Obama' immediately fired Bob from her security detail! For our part, we learned that it is not safe to hang laundry out to dry on our breezy ST Lucia balconies!

Next Tom Decker gave an overview of the National Credit Union Foundation and its programs. Bob assisted in explaining two of the programs that are especially dear to his heart - BizKids and CIF. An in-depth discussion of the DE program followed, with questions and feedback from our soon-to-be DEs.

I gave an overview of the Real Solutions program, highlighting the impact that it has had in Connecticut and our Financial Reality Fair program. I wouldn’t be surprised if a DE chooses bringing a reality fair to their school or credit union for their project! I then tried very hard to do our own Bill Myers proud when explaining The Credit Path to the group.

After so much lecturing, it was time for some group participation. Bob and Carla Decker’s session was on alternative CU models and structures. They referred to the concepts of shared services and shared branching. Then each group identified whether shared services, and shared branching respectively, might be applicable to credit unions in the Caribbean; and if so, how by discussing the benefits and implementation challenges. Each group answered yes, with one participant aptly stating, “Of course any rational person would say yes!” Suggested shared services included ATM servicing and machines, MIS systems, marketing and legal services or a shared attorney – interestingly in the Caribbean a lawyer must draw up the paperwork for each vehicle loan as well as mortgages! Shared branching, especially in the context of cross border shared branching, brought on plenty of discussion related to cost, competition, service levels and more.

Tonight was the night we sit in a circle and heard the stories of the facilitators and mentors projects. We heard stories of international partnerships, spreading the DE story and bringing on new DEs, raising over $15,000,000 in CIF deposits, incorporating international credit union development into an employee orientation program, visiting and training at the Philippines credit union movement, volunteering at a Hispanic credit union ultimately becoming a career position, and last but certainly not least, bringing this first CaribDE program to fruition in just one year’s time. Congratulations on a DE project well done, Melvin Edwards!

The participants were moved by the stories, and as one expressed, the program is starting to come together for them, and they are looking forward to being part of a community with such energy and passion.

The evening ended on a lighter note – musical note that is. David Marquez borrowed the sister’s guitar (remember we are in an abbey!) and led us in a great round of calypso and Bob Marley. There is nothing like singing together to bond people, and the room was electric tonight – you could see our relationships strengthen through the power of music.

This group is well on their way to becoming the next “Best Class Ever!”

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