Best Places to Work In Atlantic Canada

Last week I had the opportunity, along with Lisa Purchase of Port aux Basques branch and Lydia Bennett of St. Georges branch, to attend the "Best Places to Work in Atlantic Canada" awards. I am pleased to report that Leading Edge Credit Union placed 13th out of the 27 recipients that made the cut. What makes us different?
This is a question that I can easily answer based on my own perceptions and opinions. However, this very question was asked to 32 of our staff and the answers that were provided included words like:
-Great team work
-Friendly work environment
-Not a high stress place to work
-We feel like we are a family
-Respectful
-Encourages training
-Everyone is approachable
-Open communication
-Encouraged to be innovative
-Opportunities for advancement

The culture at Leading Edge Credit Union must be conducive to the service we expect our membership to receive. A happy employee will deliver exceptional service and enjoy doing it. When people love to come to work and the atmosphere is positive, employee motivation will be higher which translates into better relationship building with our members. We have friendly, professional staff, not by accident, but by selecting people whose values align with those of the Credit Union. I am extremely pleased that our organization is viewed so strongly as a great place to work!

Here is a recent article in the Credit Union Newswire, an internal Credit Union publication for Canada.

Seven of Top 27 Best Places to Work in Atlantic Canada are Credit Unions

Seven of the top 27 Best Places to Work in Atlantic Canada 2012 are Atlantic credit unions - including Metro Credit Union, which placed number one on the list prepared annually by Progress Magazine.
Metro Credit Union’s General Manager Bernard Gillis notes, “Metro is full of great employees who take pride in their career, who value the role our credit union plays in the community, and who go out of their way to provide outstanding service to their members. We’re very pleased to be honored this way.”
In addition to Metro Credit Union, the list includes Newfoundland and Labrador Credit Union (no. 2); OMISTA Credit Union (no. 6); Leading Edge Credit Union (no. 13); Bergengren Credit Union (no. 16); Bayview Credit Union (no. 18); and East Coast Credit Union (no. 23). Every province is represented among the credit unions. The list was announced May 17 in Halifax.
NLCU’s Chief Operating Officer Glenn Bolger comments on NLCU’s website, “Having this many credit unions recognized at such a prestigious event is a true indication of the strength of the credit union system in Canada. Credit unions understand that we cannot be successful unless our owners and our employees are successful - and we make it our mission to help them get there.” (https://www.nlcu.com/Home/YourCreditUnion/AboutUs/AwardsandRecognition/index.jsp)
Atlantic Central President and CEO Bernie O’Neil offered congratulations to all credit unions on their recognition. “While not surprising it is tremendously gratifying to see seven Atlantic credit unions on this list, particularly to see the top two spots occupied by credit unions. Special congratulations to both Metro Credit Union and NLCU for this achievement.”
“Credit unions are special financial institutions because we do focus on people; both the needs of our members, and also our employees. Our focused approach ensures that we not only manage our members’ assets wisely, but that we help members and staff meet their goals. That’s our definition of success.”
The role of Atlantic Central is to represent and support the credit unions of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.
2012 is the United Nations’ International Year of Co-operatives, and credit unions are co-operative financial institutions founded on the same seven values that all co-operatives share. (http://www.ica.coop/coop/principles.html)  The theme for 2012 is Co-operative Enterprises Build a Better World, and awards like this demonstrate that the theme is correct. Credit unions, through their boards, staff and members, are building stronger communities all across the Atlantic region.
For more information on the credit union system, visit http://www.atlanticcreditunions.ca/:

• Atlantic Credit Unions Making News
• Atlantic Credit Unions In the News
• Fast Facts on the Atlantic Credit Union System
• Student Awards & Bursaries

Last Updated on Wednesday, May 23 2012, 10:03AM ADT

Leading Edge Credit Union to Host a Woman Credit Union Manager from Africa

I am pleased to report that Leading Edge Credit Union will be hosting a Woman working in the Credit Union system in Africa. The bio of the sponsored lady has not been made available yet however we are extremely excited to receive this news.
In January 2012, while I was away in Uganda, members of the Port aux Basques Branch and Corporate office completed an application under the CCA Womens Mentorship Program (WMP). The program will see 15 Credit Union Women leaders from 9 countries come to Canada on May 7th for two weeks training and knowledge sharing. May 10th-20th our sponsor will be hosted by Leading Edge Credit Union staff. During this time, the sponsor will be introduced to our best practices of managing a Credit Union and also be exposed to our culture and way of life.

Zirobwe Credit Union home of Rita

The goal of this program is to provide tangible experience to these leaders so that they can implement the knowledge gained in their own Credit Union. The Credit Union in their communities is so vital to the success of the community that ensuring sustainability of the system is critical. During my visit in Uganda I had the the opportunity to visit Zirobwe Credit Union (SACCO). The manager Rita, was a former participant in the WMP in Canada. It was clear from reviewing her branch operations that she had implemented a significant amout of the knowledge that she gained from her experience.  The branch had well defined policies and procedures, was neat and tidy, and had adequate risk controls. The relationships with the members were secure and the branch was growing significantly. It was very rewarding to talk to her and see the impact of this program first hand. It was comforting to know that this experience improved many lives, beyond Rita.

I will keep the blog updated with our sponsor information as soon as it becomes available. The great news is that we scheduled our annual general meeting date around the time when our sponsor will be visiting us. For those membership that attend the AGM they will get to hear hopefully her story and life in Africa.

Honourable Keith Hutchings Address on Co-operatives

Statement by

Honourable Keith Hutchings

Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development

March 12, 2012

Co-operatives Contributing to Community and Business Development

Mr. Speaker, in Newfoundland and Labrador, we are home to some well-established co-operatives that have contributed greatly to community and business development.  We are also home to newer co-operatives that hold tremendous promise.In southern Labrador, when the Bank of Montreal withdrew its operations, residents stepped-up, mobilized their resources, and formed the Eagle River Credit Union.  It was a collective effort that ensured that the delivery of financial services would continue and today it has accumulated more than $79 million in assets.By pooling valuable resources so that it could better access equipment and expertise, the Newfoundland Independent Filmmakers Co-operative has helped grow the sector to $30 million – up from $2 million a decade ago.  More recently, Seed to Spoon has emerged as a co-operative that sells locally-grown produce to restaurants, residents, and the St. John’s Farmer Market.  It is proving to be a positive relationship among co-operatives, local farmers, and community members, directly linking products with consumers.  In January, I accompanied representatives from local co-operatives at the Canadian launch of the International Year of Co-operatives.  Just last week, I was pleased to join several local co-operatives in formally proclaiming 2012 as the Year of Co-operatives in Newfoundland and Labrador. As a government, we view co-operatives as being integral in community and economic development.  Co-operatives serve a key role in developing industry sectors and addressing market demands. In the coming weeks, the Provincial Government will be renewing its Memorandum of Understanding with the Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives. We want to build off the progress made from our 2007 agreement, which positioned this province as a leader in Canada for our working relationship with the provincial co-operative business association. Mr. Speaker, the door is open to further strengthen and develop co-operatives.  This MOU is one important step in that process. Co-operatives are good for communities, they are good for industry growth, and they are good for the province. Over the course of 2012, I encourage all members of this Honourable house to join in celebrating the value of co-operatives in their own districts. 

Thank You