MADISON, Wis. – Summit Credit Union is hosting emerging leaders from the Dominican Republic who are participating in the World Council of Credit Union (WOCCU) International Credit Union Leadership Program, an internship program that places young professionals in various credit unions overseas.
Part of the U.S. Department of State Professional Fellows Program, the internship is designed to facilitate idea exchanges, promote foreign language skill development, enhance cultural diversity and improve problem-solving skills as they relate to credit union development and management on a global basis. Summit is one of 17 U.S.-based non-profit organizations and universities chosen to host foreign professionals in 2011-2012 from more than 50 countries and territories worldwide.
Participants and their host organizations benefit from the dual learning opportunity the program inherently provides, including information sharing on overall credit union operations, educational and community outreach programs and risk management. Dominican Republican participants Natividad Lamourthe and Claudio Wolters are participating in one-month fellowships at Summit until Nov. 2, 2012.
“Through this experience, we have been given the opportunity to learn about American culture and have met new, wonderful people who have given us 100% support,” said Lamourthe and Wolters. “It is a great opportunity for professional development, and we can take what we’re learning back home and become leaders in promoting the cooperative movement in our country.”
The program builds on Summit’s history of leveraging the “cooperative” spirit, the philosophy of sharing information beyond the U.S. borders. “Summit became involved in the Professional Fellows program because of our partnership with the World Council of Credit Unions,” said Kim Sponem, CEO/President of Summit Credit Union. “Hosting Natividad and Claudio is a terrific opportunity for Summit, and we’re happy to help other international credit unions further their expertise and understanding as well.”
The experience also provided a cultural learning opportunity beyond the credit union environment, as Lamourthe and Wolters had the opportunity to engage in traditional U.S. traditions as guests of the Sponem family. At the same time, they were able to educate their hosts about the traditions and customs of their homeland. “Natividad and Claudio stayed at our house which was an enriching experience for my family and me,” adds Sponem. “They are part of my family now.”
At the conclusion of their fellowships, participants will gather in Washington, D.C., to take part in the Professional Fellows Congress, on Nov. 7-10, 2012. The Congress provides a forum for participants to discuss best practices with other young leaders in their profession, and to develop concrete projects and networks that they can implement upon their return home.
For more information about the International Credit Union Leadership program, please visit http://www.woccu.org/events/leadershipprogram or http://www.facebook.com/events/206558106144548/. Information about the Professional Fellows program can be found by visiting: http://exchanges.state.gov/citizens/profs/professional-fellows.html.
About Summit Credit Union:
Established in 1935, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative open to anyone in Wisconsin. Summit holds $1.8 billion in assets and has more than 125,000 members with a total of 23 locations throughout the Madison and Milwaukee areas. For more information, visit www.summitcreditunion.com or call (608) 243-5000 or (800) 236-5560.
About the World Council of Credit Unions:
World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. For more information, please visit: www.woccu.org.
About the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs:
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Exchange supports exchange programs that increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. Approximately 50,000 individuals take part annually in exchange programs managed by the U.S. Department of State. For more information, please contact: Anna Griffin, U.S. Department of State, (202) 632-6452, eca-press@state.gov.