Ken Kennedy, Chairperson of the Western Isles Credit Union, has congratulated the Board of Directors and staff of the Western Isles Credit Union for their efforts in bringing the organisation to such a good position at the end of its third year of operation.
This announcement was made at the well attended AGM held in Stornoway and Balivanich, via video link, on Tuesday the 2nd of February 2010.
And as a first for the Credit Union the meeting was also streamed live across the internet.
The Live Hebrides team have been working alongside the Western Isles Credit Union for several months and it was agreed the AGM was an ideal opportunity to trial a live broadcast.
The success of this was apparent with many members logging in to watch online and listen to the successes of the Credit Union over the past year.
Lisa Maclean, Live Hebrides Project Manager commented:
“We are delighted to have been able to work with the Credit Union to help them to broadcast the AGM live over the web. This tool can help to reach a wider audience and offers an innovative way of engaging with members in a manner that is most convenient to them. The interactive software used also means they can pose questions, make comments and even vote online, if required. This is certainly something we would like to support the credit union to explore for future events.”
It was reported by Chairman Ken Kennedy that membership grew by 46% from 755 to 1099 members. He commented:
“For a very young Credit Union this is a remarkable achievement. Our membership represents 4.2% of the population and to date we have made loans in total of over £1m.
Since 2007 the Western Isles Credit Union has enabled 1100 people to save, assisted 260 members to access loan finance at affordable interest rates, has helped members to manage their finances better, introduced the concept of financial management to primary school pupils via IsleSave and keeps all this money circulating in the local economy for the benefit of all residents and businesses of the Western Isles.
Mr. Kennedy thanked demitting officers Betty MacAteer and Matt Bruce, founder members of the Credit Union who have put in many hours of hard work over the early planning years and the last 3 years of operation, and LIVE HEBRIDES were thanked for the live streaming of the event.
The newly elected board members and those elected to the committees of the Credit Union were welcomed and special thanks were given to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar for its considerable assistance over the years.
The Board of Directors and staff of the Western Isles Credit Union look forward to future challenges and aspire to become an even more successful and prosperous organisation through continuing to develop the already sound principles of the Credit Union whilst continuing to serve the interests of the membership.
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