Gavin Earle CUNA Management School Scholarship

PRESS RELEASE

AUCKLAND, THURSDAY 20 MAY 2004 – The Texas Credit Union Foundation in association with the New Zealand Credit Union Foundation have awarded Gavin Earle, Assistant Manager of Credit Union Baywide, Hastings, a full scholarship at the Southwest CUNA Management School (SCMS), USA.

Chairman of the New Zealand Credit Union Foundation, Andrew Leys said, “It is indeed momentous for New Zealand to be invited to participate in this 3-year education program in the US.

“This will be an invaluable experience for Gavin and future New Zealand Credit Union candidates, as it will ensure that our Credit Union leaders have a broader understanding of the industry and international operating principles.

“SCMS is an excellent forum for networking with Credit Union professionals from around the world and New Zealand can be proud to be at the leading edge of the international Credit Union movement”.

SCMS is based in Fort Worth, Texas and students attend a residential (live on campus) course for approximately two weeks each year in July.

The curriculum includes studies of management/leadership processes; strategic planning analysis and strategy; asset liability management principles and strategies; financial trend analysis; investment instruments; business writing; communication and presentation skills; risk management; legal environment; political advocacy; compliance principles; marketing theory and strategies; quality service and control; credit union history and philosophy, and; lending principles and issues.

Gavin Earle, Assistant Manager of Credit Union Baywide, Hasting and recipient of the SCMS scholarship said, “I feel extremely privileged to have been nominated for, and accepted as the recipient of this scholarship to further my studies via this unique programme.

“What a fantastic opportunity to mingle with American Credit Union colleagues, learning from their experiences and gaining exposure to the huge Credit Union scene over there.

“Our Credit Union has learnt an awful lot from our Australian colleagues and this exposure to the US scene will broaden our horizons even further”.

Doug McLaren, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Association of Credit Unions advised that the SCMS scholarship would cover all related expenses including travel and accommodation for the duration of Gavin’s stay in Texas.

He said, “We are most grateful to SCMS for their generosity in inviting us to participate in this program in the true spirit of co-operation, a fundamental principle of the Credit Union movement”.

The New Zealand Association of Credit Unions

The Association was established in 1961 as the Credit Union League and later changed its name in 1989. The New Zealand Credit Union Foundation is the fund-raising arm of the Association for Credit Union development and education. Today, the Association has 42 Member Credit Unions in more than 100 locations nationwide, representing more than 162,000 Credit Union members, with total assets of $450 million. The New Zealand Association of Credit Unions is a member of the World Council of Credit Unions, which represents over 40,000 credit unions in 94 countries, with more than 120 million Credit Union members.

ENDS

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