48th CYL Program

Sep 8, 2015

CYL_presThrough On Co-op, Ontario credit unions and co-operatives provide young people with the opportunity to attend Co-operative Young Leader (CYL) programs every summer — an experience unlike any other.  This week-long initiative brings young people aged 14-18 together from all across Ontario. CYL’ers learn about, and practice, communication and leadership through co-operative activities, and facilitates further engagement in their co-ops and their communities when they return home. CYL also provides adult professional development through its facilitator training programs.
Since its inception in 1967 over 3,000 young people have gone through Ontario CYL programs.

One of the highlights of the program is when the seniors level participants are given the task of forming a group, and creating a pitch for a new co-operative enterprise idea. This exercise is  invaluable for the participant’s understanding of the co-op sector and philosophy, as well as their own personal / professional development. Groups work hard on their ideas throughout the week, will continuing to participate in many other activities, and have limited time, supplies and computer use. The teams are asked to focus mostly on the need for / and structure of their co-op, while considering only broad/basic budgeting & accounting.

Panel members adjudicate the presentations based on their business idea content as well as how they presented. This year panel members included Wendy Carruthers (Manager of Member & Co-operative Relations at The Co-operators), Guido Chezzi – Former OCUF Foundation Vice Chair, Retired Credit Union Executive), Janice Johnson (Manager, Member & Co-operative Relations at GROWMARK), and Clayton Shold (Executive Director at OCUF).  Suffice it to say there were some very creative and well thought out presentations. The future is in good hands!

2015 Leadership Niagara Bursary Winner

Sep 4, 2015

Holly-Mundula-200Congratulations are in order for Holly Mundula, Manager, Business Services Division at FirstOntario Credit Union!  Holly was selected as the recipient of the 2015 Leadership Niagara Bursary. This is a full scholarship to attend the Leadership Niagara program at Brock University.  The scholarship was created from funds donated to OCUF from the historic Niagara Chapter.

Mario De Divitiis, Executive Director of Leadership Niagara also offered his congratulations to Holly: “Leadership Niagara is thrilled to have First Ontario Credit Union join our list of program supporters. Holly’s enthusiasm for the program spoke throughout her application and her dedication to the community of Niagara has already been shown with her past community experience. She is a great fit for our program.”

Leadership Niagara is an innovative program that brings together individuals who are recognized as emerging and aspiring leaders in the public, private and non-profit sectors of our community. Leaders who are passionate about the Niagara region and who want the chance to give back tangibly to their community. The program provides unrivaled opportunities for participants to explore and strengthen their leadership skills, develop a new-found network of meaningful contacts, and learn more about the outstanding characteristics and challenges of our Niagara community.

Applications for the 2016 bursary will be available next summer.