International Credit Union Day at Derry Credit Union

ON Thursday, October 21, more than 183million members of 49,330 credit unions around the world in 97countries of the Worldwide Community of Credit Unions will be celebrating the achievements and benefits, which the Credit Union Movement delivers to its members. It will also be recognise the tremendous work this International Movement is doing to help people in poorer countries control their financial affairs by setting up Credit Unions in their own Communities.

In Ireland there are 500 Credit Unions affiliated to the Irish League of Credit Unions. 103 of these are in Northern Ireland. There are 2.98 million members with over12.2 billion euros (11 billion) in Savings and Assets of over 14.1 billion euros (12 billion).

Here are some of the benefits provided by Credit Unions:

Open and voluntary membership

Democratic Control

Non-discrimination

Distribution of surplus to members

Service to members

Over half the population of the island of Ireland are members of Credit Unions.

Every town and village in the country will mark International Credit Union Day with some form of celebration.

Derry Credit Union provides financial services to over 26000 adult members and 7000 minors.

Some of the benefits, which members enjoy, are:

Savings, which attract a reasonable dividend

Low cost borrowing

Free Life Savings and Loan Protection Insurance

Death Benefit Insurance

Foreign Exchange

Free Money Management Counselling

No Administration Costs

Derry Credit Union will be celebrating the day by inviting all their members to visit the office in Abbey Street throughout the day and enjoy some refreshments.

Those members who transact on the day will enjoy the chance of winning a prize. Prizes on offer will be CASH PRIZES of 50 to 250, VOUCHERS for local traders

The Draws will be made each hour of business.

There will be a further online draw for a chance to win an iPod Touch for members who log on to the members area of our website from Monday 18, October to Thursday 21, October. The draw will take place on Friday 22, October 2010.

A separate Minor’s draw for 20 x 20 will be conducted at the end of business on Thursday.

The day will kick off with a rendering of popular melodies by St. Eugene’s School choir.

The children will also be well catered with 3 hours of Face Painting and plenty of snacks and gifts.

Irish Dancing exhibition by Walled City School of Dancing

Compere for the day will be Seamus Boyle.

The programme for the day will be:

10.30am-11.30am St. Eugene’s P.S. choir

12pm-01pm Line Dancing

1.00pm-2pm Sabroso Salsa

2.30pm-5.30pm Lizzie the Clown - Face Painting and Balloon Making

3.15pm-4.15pm Entertainment with Dougie Breslin

4.15pm-5.15pm Scoil Rince Cathair Na Mballai, Walled City School of Dancing

Prizes will be raffled every hour.

All members should try to come along on the day and enjoy the Craic.