The Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Be Attending the WOCCU Conference in Ottawa

The 2013 edition of World Council of Credit Unions Conference is set to take place in a few more sleeps (it’s like Christmas!) in Ottawa, the capital of Canada.

This will be third time I’ve attended a WOCCU Conference as I have been lucky to previously attend the 2009 Conference in Barcelona and the 2010 Conference in Las Vegas.  Each time I’ve attended, the conference leaves me inspired to do so much more within the credit union movement to help build a better world.  I can guarantee you that Ottawa will be no different.

To give you a summary of what you are about to experience, or perhaps what you are about to miss, here are the Top 10 reasons why you should be attending the 2013 WOCCU Conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

  1. Attending the conference gives you the opportunity to learn from so many worldwide credit union leaders that are making a difference for their members, their staff, and their communities.
  2. While in Ottawa, you have a fantastic opportunity to stop by the Parliament building to have a chat with our Federal Government about this.Please feel free to knock on the door and ask for Stephen.  Thanks!
  3. Having the conference in Canada brings together some of the best and brightest CEOs from the Canadian credit union system with an opportunity to share the outstanding things they are doing.  We have a laundry list of CU CEO all-stars that will be speaking at the conference including Eric Dillon from Conexus Credit Union, Launi Skinner from  First West Credit Union, Tracy Redies from Coast Capital Savings Credit Union, and Tamara Vrooman from Vancity.  All of these CEOs are making a difference in Canada.  Check them all out and hear what they have to say!
  4. People have come from far, far away to get to Canada.  If this is you, I would recommend you take part in some of the most Canadianesque traditions we have like eating poutine, taking a beaver for a walk, going five-hole, and heading back to your native country with a brand new toque.
  5. WYCUP.  While this is for those participants that are 35ish and under, it was a game changer for me the first time I attended the session in Barcelona.  Having the ability to share and learn from peers throughout the worldwide credit union movement was one of the most impactful experiences of my career.  I still keep in touch with many of the people that I met in Spain and Vegas, and value those relationships to this day.
  6. Attending WYCUP also introduced me to one of my favorite all-time people in the credit union movement.  His name is Dorwin Manzano and he is from Trinidad and Tobago.  Dorwin attends the WOCCU conference every year, regardless of where it is.  If you haven’t met Dorwin, make sure you do.  He’s one of the funniest and kind hearted people I have met.  And he LOVES credit unions!!!!
  7. Rumor has it that the 5 finalists of the Credit Union Central of Canada’s National Young Leader Award will be presenting on how they are overcoming some of the challenges that credit unions are experiencing.  Check them out on Tuesday, July 16th, at 11:15 AM – 12:45 PM in the Ottawa Convention Center, Level 2, Room 214.  Sounds like it will be a good one! (Yes, this is a shameless self promotion).
  8. For those of you that wish to exercise while you are away from home, and want to try something a little different than your hotel gym, join hundreds of fellow downward-doggers for a free one-hour yoga class on the lush green lawn in front of the Parliament buildings.  Classes run weekly in summer; get the current schedule from the local Lululemon store.  (www.lululemon.com/ottawa/rideaucentre).  Plus buy some Lululemon clothing to support the Canadian economy.
  9. It is breath taking site to see every nation in the world that is affiliated with the credit union movement have their flagged walked proudly into the opening ceremonies.  It gives you a great appreciation of how big the credit union world truly is, while we all strive to stay so closely connected to our members and our communities.
  10. The final and most important reason why you should attend the 2013 WOCCU Conference in Ottawa is to celebrate this great thing we call CREDIT UNION with peers from all over the world.

By chance that you are unable to attend, please be sure to follow the 2013 WOCCU Conference hashtag #WCUC2013 to follow all of the latest updates and key learning being shared.

See you soon!

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