World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) President and CEO Elissa McCarter LaBorde Tuesday encouraged more American credit union leaders to become engaged with the international financial cooperative movement in her first address to a Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) general session.
“We’ve got to grow this movement. And that means innovating, that means growing membership, that means being able to grow and deepen the kinds of services we provide to every community," said McCarter LaBorde. "If you’re not a Champion now, please come see me, because we need every single one of you.”
"Champions" is the term Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, the charitable and engagement arm of World Council, uses to refer to the generous credit unions, and other institutions and individuals who provide them with financial support.
McCarter LaBorde also asked the U.S. audience to consider the importance of what WOCCU International Advocacy does to level the regulatory playing field for credit unions worldwide.
"If we didn't know what happens globally comes back to hit us locally, well certainly two years after a pandemic and what's unfolding in Europe, we know it now," said McCarter LaBorde, referencing the war in Ukraine.
After her speech to the general session, McCarter LaBorde and WOCCU Senior Vice President of International Advocacy Andrew Price met with executives from three Ukrainian American credit unions about some possible ways to work together to provide relief to both credit unions and their members in Ukraine.
One of those executives was Anatoli Murha, Senior Vice President of Ukrainian Selfreliance Federal Credit Union, who also spoke at the general session about the challenges being faced by the people of Ukraine.
"I stand before you as a first-generation Ukrainian American who deeply values the freedom of speech, press, assembly and so many more that I want my family, friends and all Ukrainians to freely experience. I also want our credit union colleagues in Ukraine to be safe, stable and free," said Murha.
Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions and WOCCU launched the Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund February 27, but is looking at additional ways to provide support going forward as well.
In the first 48 hours since the Displacement Fund was established, nearly $60,000 has been raised to support Ukraine's credit unions and their members.
People in the United States interested in donating to the Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund can text CUS4UKRAINE to 44-321, while anyone worldwide can donate by clicking here.
Elissa McCarter LaBorde speaks at the 2022 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference
WOCCU executives and Ukrainian American credit union leaders hold a Ukrainian flag to show unity