Business View Caribbean | November 2019

45 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN NOVEMBER 2019 GENERAL EMPLOYEES CO-OPERAT I VE CREDI T UNION L IMI TED and three branches on the main island. So, we’re well-distributed throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and we see ourselves as contributing to socio-economic development and, particularly, in regard to poverty reduction, employment generation, and social integration.” The General Employees Co-Operative Credit Union Limited operates under several guiding principles: • Democratic Member Control – it is owned and controlled by its members; one member, one vote • Voluntary Membership – it is a non-profit organization with a volunteer board of directors • Members’ Economic Participation – it has democratically controlled capital and its members recognize financial benefits • Autonomy and Independence – ensuring democratic control • Education, Training, and Information - ensuring that the general public and policymakers are informed • Cooperation among Cooperatives – it works together with the other three credit unions in the country; it belongs to the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Credit Union League, which is a member of the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Union Leagues • Concern for Community – it believes in sustainable development; it serves people of modest means As GECCU celebrates its 55th anniversary, this year, Bowman reports that the organization is planning to move into new headquarters. “We will have to first shift into intermediary headquarters, so we are now preparing one of our buildings to house us, in the meantime,” he says. “That is certainly one thing that will change the way we operate.” Other changes are afoot, as well. “We are also changing our management software and moving to a much