Christmas message from League President Joseph Remy

The Year 2016 posed numerous challenges to our beloved Twin Island Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and by extension the Co-operative Credit Union Movement. But, consistent with its people centered moorings, the Movement was able to rise like the true beacon of light and hope, providing hundreds of thousands of persons of modest means an opportunity to maintain, sustain and in some cases enhance their social and economic standing in our society. We took strength from Matthew 6:31-34, which states:

- 31: So do not worry saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or ‘What shall we wear?” 32: For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly father knows that you need them. 33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all those things will be given to you as well. 34: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own!

So, as we meandered our way across the troubled waters of everyday life, we were able to achieve a degree of success in the face of all the local, regional and global economic upheavals that continue to bedevil our world. This certainly has demonstrated that the foundational pillars of the Movement are indelibly emboldened with unshakable and non-malleable principles and an ideological underpinning that takes its learning’s from the life of Jesus Christ. We continue to reemphasise that this Movement practices the virtues of humility, honesty, transparency, sharing, caring and loving, and has a strong spiritual underpinning. We thrive on our motto of ‘Not for Profit, Not for Charity, But for Service’ and we once again demonstrated that the Movement takes its teachings from life of Jesus Christ. We refer to Mark 10:44-45 which states:

- 44: and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Hundreds of persons of modest means continue to selflessly volunteer their time and resources to give their lives as a ransom to many. I salute those persons and implore them to continue on this positive and progressive path of human development. This has caused us to see positive growth within this people based and people centered Movement that cherishes its indigenous character and ensures that we maintain that shareholder democracy that serves as the bedrock of this noble Movement.

The Credit Union Movement has entrenched itself within the socio-economic landscape of the country in a significant manner, providing that critical buffer for persons of modest means to live a better life as envisaged by Christ’s sacrifice.

As such, we are emboldened in our view that the Co-operative Credit Union Movement is sacrosanct and as such must be preserved and developed to ensure that the dream of social and economic justice as articulated by Jesus Christ be realised.

Therefore, as we reflect on the message of Christmas of peace and goodwill to all mankind, let us commit to the teachings of Christ in Mark 10:44-45, let us reach out to those persons who are less fortunate and less possessed and extend a hand of love and care. Let us focus on our lifelong motto of “Service to our Members.” We must never ever be distracted from this fundamental philosophical pillar and deviate towards greed. We have all seen the destructive nature of this behaviour.

I want to wish all co-operators and citizens of our twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, a very merry, holy, spiritualand socially conscious Christmas as we continue to say: One Movement , Speaking With One Voice.