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WYCUP Scholarship Program Agenda and Speaker Announced

Online communications expert Shel Holtz to address CU branding through social media

MADISON, WI (May 14, 2013) Enrollment for World Council’s Young Credit Union People (WYCUP) scholarship program, an international networking and educational opportunity for credit union leaders age 35 and younger, is accepting nominations until June 3, 2013. The program and awards ceremony will take place at the 2013 World Credit Union Conference in Ottawa, Canada, July 14–17, 2013.

“We’ve heard from credit unions worldwide the need to build up the next generation of leaders,” said Brian Branch, World Council president and CEO. “The WYCUP program is an excellent opportunity to expose upcoming leaders to a global perspective that they can apply in their communities.”

Participants at this year’s WYCUP program will hear from Shel Holtz, principal of Holtz Communication + Technology and expert in integrating technology into communications strategies. He will present on credit union branding through social media.

“Credit unions have an unparalleled opportunity to reach potential new customers through digital and social media. Providing easy-to-find content that they actually want to consume requires a new way of thinking about communication,” Holtz said. “It’s inbound instead of outbound. It’s integrated, with various communication functions working together to formulate content strategies before developing and deploying content. And most of all, it’s about knowing what your audience is interested in.”

This year’s WYCUP program agenda, specifically designed for young professionals participating in the conference, will include a combination of conference general sessions, education and networking opportunities with World Council’s board of directors and WYCUP speaker Shel Holtz. The program will conclude with the annual awards ceremony, during which five deserving 2013 scholarship winners will be formally recognized. See the full agenda at www.woccu.org/wycup.

The WYCUP program seeks individuals who have made significant contributions to their own credit union organizations and have the potential to make a larger impact. Credit unions and credit union organizations affiliated with World Council are encouraged to nominate young leaders to compete for the WYCUP scholarship. Nominees must: 1) be sponsored by their credit union or credit union organization to attend the 2013 World Credit Union Conference in Ottawa, Canada, in July; 2) be 35 years of age or younger as of Jan. 1, 2013; and 3) submit a completed nomination form to World Council with all the necessary supporting materials by June 3. Each WYCUP scholarship winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to the 2014 World Credit Union Conference in Australia.

World Council will recognize all WYCUP nominees in Ottawa, where they are invited to take part in events and networking sessions organized specifically for young leaders. Conference registrants age 35 and younger qualify for registration discount, regardless of whether they compete for the scholarship. Conference attendees in this demographic who would like to participate in the WYCUP events in Ottawa are required to RSVP to Lili Tangwall at ltangwall@woccu.org before June 14.

In 2012, the following WYCUP nominees won scholarships to attend this year’s World Credit Union Conference in Ottawa, Canada:

  • Miriam De Dios, United States, Coopera CEO
  • Máire Doyle, Ireland, Naomh Breandan Credit Union Limited Chairperson
  • Brian Aalbers, Canada, Libro Financial Group Branch Manager
  • Wesley Diniz Alves, Brazil, Sicredi Social Programs and Marketing Manager
  • Edyta Grzybowska, Poland, Credit Union Management Society Vice President

For more information on the WYCUP scholarship program, visit www.woccu.org/wycup. Visit www.Ottawa2013.org to learn more about the 2013 World Credit Union Conference and to register for the event.

World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions’ financial performance and increase their outreach.

World Council has implemented more than 290 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 51,000 credit unions in 100 countries serve 196 million people. Learn more about World Council’s impact around the world at www.woccu.org.

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