March 30, 2009 

OTTAWA - Here is a great opportunity for your credit union to open its doors to the world by hosting a credit union manager/loans manager from a developing country this May/June. Fourteen visitors are in Canada as part of the ninth annual Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due women's mentoring program, a popular program of the Canadian Co-operative Association that provides overseas staff of financial co-operatives with leadership training and exposure to the ins-and-outs of managing a loans program.
 
"It's a wonderful opportunity for credit union managers/branch managers/loans managers to meet and interact with someone who has a similar career path but comes from a completely different background," says CCA project officer Laurie Tennian. 
 
The Mentoring Program has influenced credit union policies and practices in countries as far away as Mongolia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Nepal, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda where past participants have already made changes to their loans programs, instituted new office and reporting procedures and have seen delinquency rates reduced. 
 
CCA is asking 14 credit unions to participate in this year's program. As a host credit union you will share your knowledge and skills, and connect your guest visitor with fellow staff, policies and best practices. Hosts also make their guests feel at home by greeting them on arrival, billeting them in private homes and introducing them to people, places and events in their community.  You will receive an information booklet to help guide you through your hosting duties. This year's Mentoring schedule is:
 
May 19-27                   classroom training program in Ottawa/orientation to Canadian credit union system
May 28                        travel day to host credit union
May 28- June 6           credit union placement
June 6-                        travel day back to Ottawa  
June 8-15                    training program in Ottawa (debriefing about CU placement and how to implement change upon return home)
June 16-18                  participants attend CCA 100th Anniversary Congress in Ottawa
June 19                       departure for home countries
 
Interested? Contact: Laurie Tennian Tel: (613) 238-6711 ext. 209; laurie.tennian@coopscanada.coop   or visit: http://www.coopscanada.coop/coopdevelopment/internationaldev/womensmentoring/