Welcome to CCA’s international development blog page … the sights and sounds, the people and places as experienced by credit union and co-operative volunteers on the frontline of development.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Endless Blue Skies

Many times Mongolia has been at a crossroads – Chinggis Khaan in 1206; socialism in the 30`s; market economy restructuring in the 1990`s; and, the recent financial crisis.  And so it is with the credit union movement here, as they work to mature along the co-operative path. In a land renowned for an ancient path – the Silk Road.

An ancient wisdom says to, “Stand at the crossroads and ask, where the good path is…   and walk in it.” Enter the CCA Coaching Program to answer the call. The objective in sharing our experience, expertise and tools could be summed up by the Turkish Proverb, “A small key opens big doors.” My sense is that we have unlocked some of the potential resident in the Mongolian credit union system, and that they have the ability, drive and passion to move through those doors to a brighter future.
2010 Mongolia Coaching Team
Our work these past two weeks has been focused at three levels – credit union, apex organization, and regulatory/legislative. The approach has proven complimentary and synergistic. Recommendations provided by the team were relevant, practical and actionable. There were common themes at all levels and I would summarize by citing the five key priority areas that have been defined overall, and for which a number of recommendations have been made. These are:

  1. Implementation of savings deposit guarantee insurance.
  2. Liquidity and Stabilization fund creation.
  3. Credit Bureau reporting.
  4. Bad loan recovery.
  5. Building the future.
At our concluding session, a comment by N. Oyunchimeg from the Financial Regulatory Commission stood out: “[I am] strongly confident that the credit union system will succeed and grow rapidly.”

I know the coaches join me in expressing our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to our Mongolian colleagues and friends for their open and frank approach to our business discussions; for their outstanding hospitality; and, for a generosity of spirit as big as their endless blue sky.   

To Sarah and everyone at CCA, thank you for a meaningful opportunity to make a difference in the broad co-operative community. It has been a privilege to work with such a great group of coaches. They were well prepared, flexible, deeply interested in the subject matter, the culture, context and environment, and made strong relational connections. Be assured they were excellent ambassadors for CCA, the credit union system and for Canada.

And most importantly, deepest thanks to my wife Pamela and my family for your support and allowing this itinerant coach to follow his personal sense of mission. As I bid farewell from the land of the endless blue sky, know that my heart has already made the journey home.

Bayartai (goodbye) from Mongolia.

Until our paths cross again…   on the
Co-operative Road
.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the things you did do. So throw off the bow lines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”      - Mark Twain

…Ken
CCA Itinerant Coach    

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