Canadian cooperative champion

Canadians are known around the world as being friendly, hospitable, and helpful.  These are great qualities that go hand in hand for those Canadians that work within the credit union movement.  Many of us are entrenched in living the credit union mission of people helping people, and embracing our cooperative values, specifically that of cooperation among cooperatives.

But there are some of us that take it to a whole new level.  There are those that are willing to take themselves out of their comfort zone, take time away from their families, and thrust themselves into a world that is completely unknown to them all for the sake of making a difference in the lives of others.

One of these people is Debbie Neddow.

Debbie is a credit union lifer.  She lives and breathes the cooperative spirit like very few people I have ever met before.  She has also been my boss for the past 4 months.

Last year, Debbie applied to take part in the Canadian Cooperative Associations Credit Union Management Coaching program.  This program allows for Canadian credit union leaders to volunteer to share their knowledge and experience to help make credit unions better in the countries of Malawi, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, or Mongolia.  Debbie was selected to travel to Ghana and departed two weeks ago for this incredible cooperative adventure.

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I know many Canadian credit union leaders that have participated in the program.  It’s not for the faint of heart.  You are away from your family for around 4 weeks.  Many times the living conditions of the villages that you travel to include no running water and no access to technologies that we take for granted.  You are going to see people living a way of life that you never thought was imaginable.

I applaud Debbie for the courage and leadership she has shown along her journey.  I would encourage you all to follow her at http://neddow.blogspot.ca/ to see someone that is truly making a difference in the lives of people.

She is a Canadian Cooperative Champion.

Devin Selte

Devin Selte

Devin Selte is a 15 year veteran in the credit union industry all with Servus Credit Union. On top of his position as Branch Manager in Stony Plain, he is ... Web: www.servus.ca Details