August 17, 2009

Two Canadians received special honours at the recent World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) annual conference in Barcelona.

Jeff Rout, a senior financial advisor, at Servus Credit Union in Edmonton was selected as one of five WYCUP award winners from around the world. Each will receive an all-expenses paid trip to The 1 Credit Union Conference, a combined event held jointly by WOCCU and CUNA & Affiliates, the U.S. credit union trade association and WOCCU member, in Las Vegas in July 2010.

The other Canadians participating in this year's WYCUP program were: Marty von Wuthenau, Central 1 Credit Union; Corey Bowes, OMISTA Credit Union (N.B.); and Devin Selte, Servus Credit Union.

Also, Wayne Nygren, retired CEO of Credit Union Central of British Columbia, was one of two people to receive WOCCU's distinguished service award.

Nygren was a member of Canadian Central's board and a member of WOCCU'S board. His service included development activities in Hungary, Thailand and Latin America.

"World Council exists to change lives," Nygren said. "It often starts as financial services, but in the end it's about changing lives. There is no higher calling and that's what World Council is all about."