Portland Co-Operative Credit Union Limited 50th Anniversary

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 28 PORTLAND CO-OP CREDIT UNION 50TH ANNIVERSARY 12 A S A proud member of over 30 years and a past president of the Portland Co-operative Credit Union Limited (PCCU), I would like to recognise and congratulate the PCCU on achieving 50 years of providing excellent financial service to the Portland community, which has helped to strengthen the so- cio-economic growth of the parish of Portland. As a member-driven and member-centric indigenous finan- cial institution, the can be justly proud that its growth from a mere $56,299.00 in assets in 1971 to its current asset base of $6.2 billion, is also reflective of the socio-eco- nomic growth of many of its mem- bers, who are from all sectors in the parish. The PCCU’s membership is diverse and inclusive, and reaches almost every household in the par- ish of Portland. The financial services provided by the PCCU has been transformational and empowering to its members; and for many of its members, the PCCU is their only financial institu- tion. The PCCU is recognised by its regulators and its peers as a safe and sound financial institution, and its financial performance over the years is comparable to other credit unions nationally. I am particularly privileged and thankful for the opportunity that the PCCU provided me to lead the credit union movement nationally, regionally and internationally by providing me with a sound and strong base from which I could soar. So I honour the past by recognis- ing the yeoman service provided by past directors, committee mem- bers, management and staff. I also envision an excellent future for the PCCU to be the financial institution of choice for all Portlanders. YVONNE D. RIDGUARD-HARRIS Past President PCCU/JCCUL/ CCCU Former Director WOCCU TRIBUTE TO PCCU ‘M OVING AHEAD and ServingYou Better’– a tag line that is quite fitting for a finan- cial institution such as the Portland Co- operative Credit Union. They have certainly touched the lives of many Portlanders in a meaningful way. As sports officer for the parish, I have been tasked with the responsibility of promoting, organising and developing sports in the parish. A lack of sponsorship was a major concern, but the PCCU responded when they partnered with the Institute of Sport, Portland Football Association, among others, to bring about this positive change which led to a long-lasting re- lationship between all parties involved. We are now family, and it’s a good feeling. The PCCU took a very bold initiative in getting involved to sponsor football, netball, track and field and female cricket, thereby providing much-needed incentives. We have gotten the opportunity to un- earth and nurture some extraordinary talents, skills and intelligence, allowing players from all four sport- ing disciplines to have gotten national recognition. Unlike other sponsors of competitionswho just pro- vide the incentives andmake apresentation at the final, not so with the PCCU, as they maintained a physical presence at the games from the kick-off to the final. You could see players immediately spur into serious actionwhenMr Morrison, marketingmanager, some- times accompanied by other members of staff, enters the grounds. The level of camaraderie was second to none. Thank you, Mr Morrison and team, for bringing thebest out of theseplayers.We aremissing thosedays. The pandemic has put a halt on our sports pro- grammes, but we are not daunted. PCCU, you have now set the stage by sponsoring sports in Portland, and I implore the private sector to come out in sup- port of sports development. On behalf of all concerned, I express sincere grati- tude to the PCCU for their meaningful contributions towards nation-building. Over the years, you have certainly changed the face of sports in Portland by providing the perfect springboard to channel these skills in the right direction. Thank you, PCCU, for 50 wonderful years. SHARON ‘TOWTOW’ HARRIS Sports Coordinator ‘Moving Ahead and Serving You Better’ T HIRTEEN YEARS ago, an ex- traordinary relationship was born between the Portland Co-operative Credit Union (PCCU) and the primary and all-age schools in Portland. This prestigious partner- ship has grown stronger every year. Over the years, the Portland Co- operative Credit Union has invested greatly in the development of the athletes through cash and kind. We have been experiencing breathtak- ing successes at the national level. The valuable assistance of the PCCU helped us to win the All-National Athletic Championship and place second three times. We have never placed lower that fourth out of the 14 parishes since this wonderful rela- tionship started! Many of our athletes experienced for the first time what it’s like to participate in track & field gear, including running spikes. I use this opportunity to salute this great and life-saving institu- tion on its 50th anniversary; and the students, teachers and parents of the primary and all-age schools join with me in congratulating you on this momentous achievement. HERMAN REID Parish Sports Coordinator Invested greatly in primary, all-age school athletes