It is almost time to say good-bye to yet another year. Without a doubt 2020 has been a very surprising year for us and many persons cannot wait to see the back of these 366 days. In 2020 the whole world faced a global pandemic that has claimed the lives of tens of thousands. Your Credit Union did not go untouched by the pandemic indeed we had to close some of our branches for a few days to accommodate deep cleaning of our offices. The
staging of our 56 th Annual General Meeting, for a time, was clouded by uncertainty and when it was finally held it was done under much restriction and with a much smaller group of attendees than we are accustomed to. Yes, 2020 is a year we will not soon forget, and not in an entirely good way.
Strange as it may seem though this year reminded me of the principals on which Credit Unions are built, that, of people helping people. It reminded me of this, because as a nation indeed as the entire world we were all in this “thing” together. As is the case with Credit Unions where the members work together to benefit each other, we all had to play a part in controlling the spread of Covid-19.
Another thing this pandemic has taught me, or reminded me, is that problems do not disappear. That is to say, that a new year will not make our problems go away. The beginning of a new year always inspires a sense of renewal and hope in us, however, Covid-19 is not going to disappear with the coming of a 2021 and allow us to start a fresh (even though we wish it would). In reality, we will still be contending with this disease well into 2021. In a similar way some of us will still be contending with our financial problems come 2021.
To help you make the very best of your financial future and ease some of these burdens your credit union has many wonderful programmes and products lined up for you. We want this to be your year. We want 2021 to be the year you realize your dreams or come as close as possible to achieving them, (with our assistance of course).
As we look forward to saying goodbye to 2020 and raise our eyes to 2021, I want to emphasize that the new year will not be business as usual for the Credit Union. This will not be the case, because it will not be the same for you. It will have its challenges and triumphs, those moments of glory and those of defeat. Please be assured though that whatever comes your way your Credit Union will be there helping you at every step.
I am issuing an invitation to you right now. I am inviting you to write down all your financial goals for 2021, go ahead write them down. Make all your plans, then relax because we, the JTA Co-op Credit Union is going to do all we can to ensure that every single one of them come true or in the very least come close.
As the General Manager of your Credit Union, I wish to personally thank all of you our valued members for sticking with us in 2020, we are looking forward to working with you come 2021. On behalf of the staff, the board of directors, and volunteers I am wishing you a safe and happy holiday season and a 2021 complete with prosperity and financial fulfillment.
