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Directors' Forum News & Updates
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The 37th Annual Directors’ Forum conference is only 8 weeks away, and we are excited – and very hopeful – to be able to host this year’s conference in person this year. The Board has taken every precaution to ensure the safety of our delegates and continues to actively monitor the situation.
They are also hard at work planning their first-ever hybrid event and are making a great effort to create programming that is both engaging and interactive for those who chose to join us virtually.
So whether you are planning to attend in-person or virtually, we are looking forward to seeing you there! Please keep reading for some important news and updates on this year's event.
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Registration and Accommodations
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The deadline for delegates to receive the special Early Bird rates is fast approaching! Register by this Thursday, September 30 to receive $100 off the conference fees per delegate for in-person registrations – a significant savings if more than one Board delegate is planning on attending! This also amounts to a $50 savings per virtual conference registration.
Please note that it is very easy to switch from in-person to virtual registration (and vice-versa) should you change your mind at any time. So even if you are hesitating or waiting to decide, you can still register now to take advantage of this rate, and change your mind later – without any penalties (unless you completely cancel a registration within a week prior to the conference) – view our cancellation policy.
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The group discount rate of $165 + tax per standard room is available until November 2 – only five more weeks. For those of you who are not quite sure how you wish to proceed, we strongly recommend that you consider booking your accommodations soon, as the going rate which you will be required to pay after this deadline may increase significantly.
You can always cancel your accommodations if need be and within the allotted time and without penalty, if you do so at least 48 hours prior to arrival.
You can book by calling the reservation desk at: 1-905-821-1981 (make sure to tell them you are with the "Directors' Forum") or by booking directly online.
For more information on accommodations, please visit us online.
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Conference Session Highlights & Updates
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Since our last newsletter, a few new speakers have confirmed their participation in the conference. Here, we highlight them and provide a brief overview of the sessions they are in…
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National Update with CCUA
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Martha Durdin, President & CEO, Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA), will open the conference on Friday morning following the Directors' Forum Co-operative's AGM, with a high-level update of the national credit union landscape, as well as insight into how social transformation begins at the board table.
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Co-operative Collaborations Transforming Communities
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Later in the day, a panel session will explore some amazing examples of Principle Six in action – and how co-operative collaborations are transforming communities. We are delighted to have two new panelists join this discussion: Stéphane Trottier (top left), Chair, Board of Directors, Desjardins Ontario Credit Union and Ken Chan (top right), Board Director, Alterna Savings and Alterna
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Bank. They will be joined by Cory Munden (bottom left), CEO, Leading Edge Credit Union and Josephine Grey (bottom right), Founder and Board Director of St. James Town Community Co-operative. Sara Maharajh (centre), Business Relationship Manager with the Canadian Credit Union Association will moderate, bringing to the discussion many years of experience and knowledge of both the co-operative and credit union sector, and the passion for elevating P6 as a way to rebuild and transform our communities.
Check out the other awesome sessions we have planned - and stay tuned for more highlights in the coming weeks!
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Young Directors – Attend the Conference for Free!
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There are still two bursaries available for a young Director (or intern Director) on your board to attend the entire conference (in person or virtually) FREE of charge. This is an amazing opportunity for young directors to network and engage with system leaders from across Ontario, while developing potential mentorship opportunities.
The Bursary covers the cost of the conference registration (including all conference sessions, meals served during the conference and activities). The cost of transportation, accommodations, and the evening meals (which are not part of the conference) are not included.
We have extended the application deadline to 5pm, October 15. For more information, to view the eligibility criteria and access the application, visit us online.
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This year’s Annual General Meeting taking place on Friday, November 26 at 8:00am EST, will include an election to the Directors’ Forum Co-operative’s Board of Directors. There are four seats up for election, and three current Directors running for re-election.
If you or someone on your Board is interested, please complete the nomination package and send it back to us by the October 28 deadline. Please note that the DFC no longer permits nominations from the floor.
IMPORTANT: This year, when registering for the conference, delegates will be asked to pay the lifetime membership fee, which will enable them to exercise their democratic right to vote on issues that are presented during the business meeting, as well as to elect the members of the Board. Every paid registrant who has paid the $2 membership fee (effective 2021) has the right to vote at the AGM, even if there is more than one delegate from the same credit union or caisse populaire present. There is no additional cost to attend the AGM and members are automatically able to participate when they are officially registered for the Forum.
The AGM Agenda is now available for viewing.
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After a long year of planning and decision-making – and not being able to host an in-person event in 2020 - the Board is eagerly anticipating the conference this year. But what really makes the Forum successful each year, is the generosity of our sponsors, the participation of our speakers, and the delegates who attend. It is truly a collaborative effort.
Please do encourage your Board Directors to join us; this is where the best sharing and exchange of knowledge and information takes place and they will receive great value for the cost to attend.
We have developed a simple online promotional kit that you are free to use, to help us spread the word about the Forum through your social media channels, in your newsletters or targeted emails, and on your website and/or event calendars. We truly appreciate any support you can provide!
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Each year, Cusource® hosts a series of in-person fall courses for Directors over the two days leading up to the annual conference and at the same venue. Click to view the sessions taking place on November 24 & 25, 2021 at the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale.
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The DFC has also worked closely with our Premier Partner this year, to develop another half-day session called "Simulating Hindsight, Oversight and Foresight." Facilitators Anthony Piscitelli, DIrector, Your Neighbourhood Credit Union and DFC Chair and Tanya Gracie, Director of Strategy, Central 1 and DFC Vice-Chair, will lead a simulation-based
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workshop that is designed to have participants role-play a board meeting for an organization facing a series of challenges. Successfully navigating the simulation will require board members to balance their hindsight, oversight, and foresight roles. Following the role-playing exercise, a facilitated debriefing will prepare participants to apply what they learned to their own credit unions.
The session will take place on Saturday, November 27 from 8:30am - 12:00pm, and will be available for both in-person and virtual participants. Registered delegates who sign in and participate in the course will receive a half-day continuing education credit under CUDA®.
This session alone is valued at close to $400 – almost the entire cost of registration to attend the virtual conference ($500) and more than half the cost to attend the in-person conference ($750), so all delegates are getting an incredible value for their participation!
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Longtime Platinum Sponsor, supporter and partner of the Directors' Forum...
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Click logo for information on Cusource and CUDA Director Training!
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