MINISTER V. ALFRED GRAY ADDRESS AT BIRCCCU UNVEILING CEREMON
FEBRUARY 26, 2007- The Minister of Local Government and Consumer Affairs, the Honourable V. Alfred Gray publicly lauded the Bahama Islands Resorts and Casinos Cooperative Credit Union (BIRCCCU) formerly the Paradise Island Resort and Casino Cooperative for its bold initiative to expand its membership base, products and services to include all employees of resorts and casinos in the Family Islands. His comments came while addressing the official unveiling ceremony for the credit union, located on Village Road, which has been in existence for over 20 years.
During the ceremony the Bahama Islands Resorts and Casinos Cooperative Credit Union honoured two of its longest members, Beauthie Darville who joined the credit union in May 23, 1986 and David Micklewhite who joined the credit union on May 9, 1986.
?Today marks a milestone for the former Paradise Island Resort and Casino Cooperative Credit Union and of course the membership and directors of that credit union ought to be commended for this singular achievement. The new name, The Bahama Islands Resorts and Casinos Cooperative Credit Union would indeed better reflect the field of its potential membership and serve its employees all over resorts and casinos throughout our Bahamas,? stated Minister Gray.
Minister Gray expressed regret that for far too often Family Island residents and employees of hotel resorts have been left out of credit unions? involvement. He continued, ?And I think this is a step towards including them in every possible facet of the credit union movement in our country and I congratulate you for so doing.?
?Your vision to expand the reach of your products and services throughout the length and breadth of our Bahamas deserves recognition and commendation. As it now exists employees in Exuma and Grand Bahama are the only two islands, which can immediately benefit from your services and products. With this unveiling today though, that will instantly change. It means that hotel employees and casino employees everywhere would be able to instantly become members of your union,? he stated.
Minister Gray told the credit union?s board of directors and members, that the mission, which they have embarked upon to ensure the financial freedom of their members, aimed at ?People helping people to help themselves,? is indeed part of what the government would undoubtedly support. He stated that his ministry?s intention is very clear towards that end.
Minister Gray pointed out that many people are aware that the government is paving the way for anchor projects on every island in our country, some of which will be announced shortly and others which are in the pipeline that will be announced soon thereafter. He stated that Mayaguana, a far flung Family Island will soon be able to boast of having the employees of that resort join as new members of the Bahama Islands Resorts and Casinos Cooperative Credit Union.
Paulette Dean, Chairperson of the Bahama Islands Resorts and Casinos Cooperative Credit Union said, that the credit union stands at the threshold of a new era in its history. Dean stated that over the years the credit union has played a major role in funding its members? dreams. ?Through the vision of our original founders we were able to assist in educating our members? children, assist in building homes for our members, financing their dreams to start new businesses and empowering our members so that they can save for retirement and invest in their health through our affordable health insurance program and so much more,? Dean said.
She continued, ?Today as we embark on this new era, we pay homage to the founding members of the credit union, many of whom are not here with us physically, but indeed they are here spiritually.?
Dean concluded by stating, ?I would just like to say to our members employed in the various resorts and casinos here in New Providence, that we are more than committed to providing you the very best financial services, as we strive to be the leading credit union of choice in the country! As such we will in the very near future be venturing into the Family Islands in places such as Exuma and Grand Bahama in an effort to provide the same quality of services, which we presently offer to our current members. We realize that our brothers and sisters on the various Family Islands also have dreams to improve their financial future. And together, we will assist them in realizing their financial dreams, for a better tomorrow.?
Minister Gray also commended the credit union for its pioneering efforts in being the first credit union in the country to establish an Internet Teller, which allows their members to have 24-hour access to their financial accounts as well as apply for loans on line.
While referring to the credit union?s more than $20 million in assets, Minister Gray stated, ?You are strong economically and it seems to me that you can only go stronger as you go forward throughout The Bahamas to establish your presence.? Minister Gray stated that he looks forward to over the next several years seeing the credit union?s membership triple and their financial base strengthened from $20 million to $200 million.
Also in attendance at the event was Harrison Thompson, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Consumer Affairs, Nathaniel Adderley, the Director of Cooperatives in The Bahamas, Board Members and staff of the Bahama Islands Resorts and Casinos Cooperative Credit Union along with Reverend Cleveland D.X. Wells and members of the Queen?s College Credit Union which the Bahama Islands Resorts and Casinos Cooperative Credit Union has sponsored over the years.
CAPTIONS
PHOTOS 088 – The Bahama Islands Resorts and Casinos Cooperative Credit Union (BIRCCCU) honoured two of its longest members, David Micklewhite and Beauthie Darville. Pictured from left to right is Oliver Hutchinson, General Manager of BIRCCCU, Linda Symonette, BIRCCCU?s Secretary, David Micklewhite, the Minister of Local Government and Consumer Affairs, the Honourable V. Alfred Gray, Beauthie Darville and Paulette Dean, BIRCCCU?s Chairperson during an official unveiling ceremony of the credit union?s new sign. Photo by Anastasia Stubbs/Visionaire Marketing.
PHOTO 099- Pictured is the Minister of Local Government and Consumer Affairs, the Honourable V. Alfred Gray at center along with members and Board of Directors of the Bahama Islands Resorts and Casinos Cooperative Credit Union (BIRCCCU) and the Queen?s College Credit Union during the unveiling ceremony of the credit union?s new sign at its Village Road office. Photo by Anastasia Stubbs/Visionaire Marketing.
PHOTO 092- Pictured is the Minister of Local Government and Consumer Affairs, the Honourable V. Alfred Gray at center unveiling the new sign of the Bahama Islands Resorts and Casinos Cooperative Credit Union (BIRCCCU) at its office on Village Road. Minister Gray is joined by members and Board of Directors of BIRCCCU. Photo by Anastasia Stubbs/Visionaire Marketing.
FEBRUARY/2007
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