Credit Union Leadership Program (Canada DE)

Canada Development Education (DE) 2022: May 29-June 3, Halifax, NS

*Note a virtual alternative will be offered if the program cannot proceed in person. This will be announced in March.

About the Program

The International Centre for Co-operative Management at Saint Mary’s University has brought something great to Canada and you’re invited. This program is a highly participatory and rewarding experience that will build your professional knowledge and network on a local to global scale.

This five and a half day leadership program will renew and deepen your understanding and appreciation for the co-operative and credit union sector at a local, national, and international level. The program tackles the pressing challenges that credit unions face today. It focuses on the member-centred credit union enterprise model, combined with the importance (and potential) to create social, environmental and economic impact. We have integrated the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) into the CanadaDE program; this is a unique opportunity to learn about UN SDGs in the context of your credit union.

Course content and facilitation

The facilitation team includes seasoned professionals – Tracey Kliesch (Co-Director of DE); Karen Miner (Saint Mary’s University, Canada); Carla Decker (CEO, DC Credit Union in Washington, DC, USA). Plus, subject matter experts are included as content providers, and a team of mentors (from Canada, Africa, Caribbean, USA) coach a team of participants through the program.

Who is the audience for this program?

Leave your “title” at the door during the program, but understand that CanadaDE is designed for individuals from the board level through to front line staff, with participants coming predominately from Canada, Africa, USA, and Caribbean countries. 

Why do we have this program in Canada?

While 2017 marked the launch of DE in Canada, the international network of programs has been going strong since the launch of the US program in the early 1980s. Active programs also exist in the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The launch of CanadaDE demonstrates leadership by Saint Mary’s University to facilitate connections within Canada and among a diverse, international network.

Your path towards an International DE Designation

Complete CanadaDE and continue on the path to the international designation (I-CUDE): CanadaDE will help you achieve the distinctive International DE designation (I-CUDE), awarded through the World Council of Credit Unions at their international conference each year. Follow this link for more information on steps required to obtain the I-CUDE designation.

Testimonials

The Canada Credit Union Development Education (DE) program was a solid professional program that is international in scope and attendance.  It is an opportunity to think about and discuss concrete ways to make your credit union relevant to its members and rekindle the passion and pride of being an ethical action oriented business. It is highly applicable to all credit union professionals. – Willy Robinson,  Retired CU CEO. Master of Management, Co-operatives and Credit Unions (Saint Mary’s University); CanadaDE 2017 graduate; CanadaDE 2019 mentor.

The global tagline of co-operatives is “We Build Better Communities”. The CanadaDE program educates participants on why it’s important to work towards community development and also energizes credit unions to play a significant role. As a graduate of the program, I can acknowledge that it has assisted me tremendously in integrating the co-operative principles and values in our credit union through tangible initiatives. – Cory Munden, Leading Edge Credit Union. Management of Management, Co-operatives and Credit Unions (Saint Mary’s); CanadaDE 2017 graduate; CanadaDE and CaribDE mentor; I-CUDE 2019

As a graduate of CanadaDE, I can honestly say it was a good investment that served as a reminder of the power and continued relevance of the co-operative difference. As an employee of a values based financial institution like Assiniboine Credit Union, the DE experience was also a perfect complement to “money doing more” philosophy that guides our work. – Nigel R. Mohammed, Assiniboine Credit Union. CanadaDE 2017 graduate; CanadaDE and CaribDE mentor; I-CUDE 2019

Program fees

$3500 (plus 15% tax) CAN. Includes a CanadaDE shirt, all meals, and 7 days of residence accommodation on campus.

Through a partnership with the CaribDE program, a reduced program fee is offered to Caribbean and Latin American participants. Contact Melvin Edwards or Karen Miner for details.