Nominations are open for the World Council of Credit Unions 2018 Distinguished Service Award (DSA). The prestigious award honors individuals and organizations that have provided outstanding service to credit union development outside their home country. DSA winners will be presented at the 2018 World Credit Union Conference, July 15-18, 2018, in Singapore.
"The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor one can receive in the global credit union community,” said Brian Branch, World Council president and CEO. "We are pleased to recognize and celebrate those who have gone above and beyond, leaving an impressionable footprint in our global movement."
Individuals and organizations that have furthered World Council's vision to expand financial inclusion worldwide through the global credit union community through their activities and achievements are eligible for nomination by World Council member organizations. Individual recipients are those whose actions have significantly benefited global credit union development beyond their national boundaries. Institutional recipients are organizations or agencies that have provided financial or technical assistance to develop international credit union movements and their service infrastructures over an extended period of time. Credit unions affiliated with World Council member organizations may also nominate individuals or organizations with the endorsement by a World Council member organization.
The DSA is not an annual award; rather it is presented based on the proven achievements and worthiness of candidates according to the award committee's review. This year World Council will provide each DSA recipient with a complimentary conference registration and one companion registration for the 2018 World Credit Union Conference.
At last year's World Credit Union Conference in Vienna, Austria, World Council awarded the DSA to the following individuals and institutions:
- Dean Mahon, awarded posthumously, accepted by his daughter Elizabeth Mahon
- Grzegorz Bierecki, nominated by the National Association of Co-operative Savings & Credit Unions (Poland)
- Ukrainian National Credit Union Association
- Global Women’s Leadership Network
Nominations must be made by a World Council member organization and are due Friday, March 16, 2018. Visit www.woccu.org/dsa to download the nomination criteria and nomination form and see a list of past winners.