CUNA News
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • Topics
    • Community Service
    • Compliance
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Credit Union System
    • Directors
    • Human Resources
    • Leadership
    • Lending
    • Marketing
    • Operations
    • Policy & Issues
    • Sales & Service
    • Technology
  • Credit Union Magazine
    • Buyers' Guide
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Edition
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Awards
    • Nominate Credit Union Hero
    • Nominate Credit Union Rock Star
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Jobs
  • Contact

News

Home » ‘Happy family!’
Leadership Subscribers

‘Happy family!’

African congress reinforces the creative power of cooperative principles to better people’s lives.

November 28, 2022
Tony Budet
2 Comments
2022_11_Winter_CC_1200
Tony Budet, CUNA Board chair and CEO at UFCU (left), ACCOSCA Executive Director George Ombado, and Heather McKissick, UFCU’s executive vice president of community impact, marketing, and communication.

This fall, I attended the 22nd Savings and Credit Cooperatives Associations Congress in the Kingdom of Eswatini in southern Africa. I represented CUNA at the invitation of the African Confederation of Co-operative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA).

ACCOSCA is a Pan-African confederation of national associations of savings and credit cooperative societies known as SACCOS. Their vision is to promote financial inclusion across Africa, and they function much like CUNA does in the U.S., uniting and empowering credit union associations, leagues, employees, and board members.

ACCOSCA’s mission of sustainably empowering SACCOs in Africa through technical programs reaches more than 5,000 credit unions across the continent, representing more than 750 million consumers.

The congress was a gathering of more than 500 people representing 22 African nations. There, I shared my viewpoints on cooperative leadership, forged lasting relationships, and learned about the issues facing African credit unions—many of which are similar to those we face in the U.S.

ACCOSCA Executive Director George Ombado personifies credit union leaders throughout Africa. His soft-spoken and warm leadership style, coupled with his extensive education and experience, set a tone of gentle persistence in advancing the continent through cooperatives.

‘It was an enlightening and gratifying visit that reinforced the creative power of cooperative principles..’
 
Tony Budet
 

George emphasized ACCOSCA’s role in supporting SACCOs with the education, systems, and resources they need to operate efficient and professionally mature organizations. He discussed leveraging inclusivity as a catalyst for growth and development, adopting technology, and enhancing professionalism through better governance and performance. Sound familiar?

A primary focus of the congress was the new ACCOSCA Academy, a state-of-the-art facility in Kenya (learn more at accosca.org). The academy will enable employees, board members, regulators, and community members to participate in education and training on leadership, governance, and technology.

I was thrilled to present George with two gifts on stage during the opening program: a highly coveted cowboy hat from his namesake, George Strait, and a contribution from UFCU to the academy.

In addition to a groundswell of support from African SACCOs, several U.S. credit unions and their partners helped us come closer to our goal of raising $1.2 million for the ACCOSCA Academy.

We spent the remainder of our time in Eswatini in excellent company, learning from and socializing with leaders of the cooperative movement from across the continent. We enjoyed stimulating speakers ranging from Eswatini’s deputy prime minister to the commissioner for cooperative development. My keynote speech addressed the importance of authentic leadership to bring about transformation in people and organizations.

It was an enlightening and gratifying visit that reinforced the creative power of cooperative principles and the movement to better people’s lives at the community—and even continental—level.

I’ll always remember the call-and-response refrain that reverberated through the event hall each morning and evening. The emcee would call out, “Credit unions!” Then 500 unified voices would reply, “Happy family!” And then, “Happy family! … Credit unions!” 

I’m grateful for the inspiration, and it’s my great hope that all credit union leaders feel cooperative principle No. 6, cooperation among cooperatives, no matter where we find ourselves in the world.

TONY BUDET is CUNA Board chair and CEO at UFCU, Austin, Texas. 


KEYWORDS collaboration

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Credit Union Magazine: Winter 2022

Winter 2022

Credit Union Magazine’s Winter 2022 issue highlights data-driven marketing, the board’s role in cybersecurity, elder abuse scams, credit unions’ auto lending advantage, and more.
Digital Edition •  Subscribe

Trending

  • Nussle: Broad classification of ‘junk fees’ in SOTU will hurt consumers

  • ‘Distinctly and uniquely me’

  • Auto lending report shows significant credit union member savings

Tweets by CUNA_News

Polls

Vote for the 2023 CU Hero of the Year

View Results
More

Champion for the Credit Union Movement

Credit Union National Association is the most influential financial services trade association and the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America's credit unions. We work tirelessly to protect your best interests in Washington and all 50 states. We fuel your professional growth at every level and champion the credit union story at every turn.

More CUNA

  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • Careers

Resources for

  • Credit Union Advocates
  • Leagues
  • Press
  • Providers

Our Affiliates

  • American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL)
  • Credit Union Awareness
  • Credit Union House
  • CUNA Strategic Services
  • National Credit Union Foundation
GET CUNA UPDATES
© 2023 Credit Union National Association | ADA Compliance Notice & Legal
Email Us