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*The Annual Directors' Forum

Welcome to the Directors' Forum (DF) webpages, hosted by On Co-op on behalf of the Directors' Forum.

On this page:

  • DF 2010 sneak preview
  • Recognizing 25+ years of credit union service
  • Directors' Forum general overview

For more than 25 years, the Directors’ Forum has played a significant role in credit union director professional development and education. The Directors’ Forum is also a meeting place for system volunteers, facilitating a wide range of discussions and events that are uniquely tailored to the role of Ontario credit union directors. Every credit union and caisse populaire in Ontario should send at least one board member to this event!

The Directors' Forum is the only conference organized by credit union directors for credit union directors. The Directors' Forum is an independent organization and is not funded by Central 1 Credit Union or any other organization.

2010 Directors' Forum

November 5 and 6, 2010
Hilton Hotel, Toronto

Register by October 10, 2010  and save $50 per person. 
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE DETAILS ON THE 2010 DIRECTORS' FORUM.

CREDIT UNION DIRECTOR ACHIEVEMENT COURSES.  The DF is an excellent opportunity for learning, networking and recharging the batteries of all your credit union volunteers, and when coupled with the nine Credit Union Director Achievement (CUDA) courses presented by CUSOURCE on November 4 and 5, the weekend becomes a complete professional development experience for your directors -- no matter what their level of experience.

Board members from credit unions, caisses populaires, and co-operatives from Ontario, Canada and beyond are invited to attend.

Registration begins September 1, 2010. Watch for the conference brochure and registration form coming to all Ontario credit unions this fall.

LONG-TIME SERVICE AWARDS

At its annual conference, the Directors' Forum recognizes Credit Union Directors who have attained 25 or more years of service to the Ontario credit union system.  A small plaque will be presented during the ceremony - held during the DF business meeting - at the annual Directors' Forum.
In 2009, five credit union directors, with more than 125 combined years of service were recognized.

Criteria:

  • Credit Union directors who have achieved 25 or more years of volunteer service to one or more Ontario credit unions are eligible.
  • Applicants must be current credit union board members (e.g. not retired or deceased).
  • Have not received previouslyLong-time service recognition from the DF.
  • Director MUST be in attendance at the current year's DF to accept the award.

Process:

  • Credit Union boards, staff or managers, may apply on behalf of the Director.
  • Submit the Director's name, credit union  and contact information, along with a brief (75-100) word bio or summary of his/her credit union service
  • Provide confirmation that the Director has registered for the current year's Directors' Forum.
  • Submissions are accepted any time of the year, up to 30 days before the start of the current year's Directors' Forum. (For 2010, deadline to submit is October 1, 2010).
  • The award will be presented at the current year's Directors' Forum and the bio/summary will be included in the annual DF program.

Send submissions to:

Mark Ventry, Directors' Forum Project Manager, email: mventry [at] ontario [dot] coop, Fax 519.763.8271 or via mail to 450 Speedvale Avenue West, Suite 101, Guelph ON N1H 7Y6

For additional information, contact Mark Ventry at 519.763.8271 x30 or email.

JOIN THE DF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Directors’ Forum is planned and organized by a volunteer Executive Committee made up of credit union board members and system volunteers including: Marty Gillis, Windsor Family Credit Union; Dave Kilgour, Northern
Credit Union; Tomo Matesic, Unigasco Community Credit Union; Shari Sekel, Penfinancial Credit Union; and Dave Sitaram, Auto Workers Community Credit Union.

  • Help guide the Directors' Forum into its next quarter-century!  Organized by Ontario credit union volunteers, the DF executive seeks credit union directors from across the province to run for election during this year's business meeting.
  • Following is a summary of obligations and compensation.  All candidates for election will meet with the Nominating Committee prior to appearing on the slate of candidates.
  • Click here to learn more about the DF Executive Committee.  For more information, e-mail the Chair of the  Directors' Forum or contact Mark Ventry at the co-ordinates above.

Meetings:

  • The DF executive meets in person, generally January/February to set the conference objectives for the year and brainstorm topics and speakers.  Often strategic planning is done at this time.
  • An in-person meeting is held the Friday afternoon of the Directors' Forum, and immediately after the conclusion of the DF.
  • All DF executive committee members attend the Directors' Forum and participate in the event by moderating or supporting workshops and sessions.
  • Generally two or more conference calls are held throughout the year.
  • Executive Committee members also communicate through email throughout the year.
  • One other face-to-face meeting may be held mid year.
  • Table officers may meet in person or via conference call more often.

Eligibility:

  • Must be a credit union director with experience in Ontario or Canadian credit unions, and currently volunteering at an Ontario credit union at time of election
  • Term is for three years

Election:

  • Candidates appearing on the slate will be presented during the annual business meeting, held during the Directors' Forum, generally on the Saturday morning
  • If there are more candidates than Executive Positions available, an election will be held, with the DF delegates (i.e. paying participants) voting
  • Nomination from the floor is permissable

Compensation:

  • Executive Committee members are compensated for their direct expenses, including administration, travel and accomodation.
  • Committee members attend the DF at no charge.

GENERAL CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

The annual Directors' Forum is a professional development, educational and networking conference that is organized specifically BY credit union directors FOR credit union, caisses populaires and co-operative Chair/Presidents, board members, and key volunteers. 

The scope of the conference has been broadened to become an event open to credit union directors from across the country, and to board members from all types of co-operatives.

Directors attend the two-day conference to learn new skills, participate in discussion forums, and interact and network with other credit union leaders. Directors return to their credit unions to share their experiences and materials, further expanding the reach and influence of this conference.

The Directors’ Forum offers a unique method of supporting directors and other key volunteers in the credit union system.  All sessions provide practical advice and real-world examples that can be applied to your credit union.

The Ontario Co-operative Association (On Co-op) manages the Directors' Forum on behalf of a volunteer committee of senior credit union directors. Click here to learn more about the Directors' Forum and its executive committee.

 

For more information on the Directors’ Forum, contact Mark Ventry, Directors' Forum Project Manager,  or 1.888.745.5521.