On October 17, we recognize International Credit Union Day.
I'm proud of my grandfather's role as a "Statesman" of the credit union movement in Manitoba. You can read in more detail about his accomplishments on the Manitoba Historical Society's website Memorable Manitobans - Harold Vincent West.
Here are some memorable credit union moments found in his personal archives:
60 years ago on October 15, 1953, the Greater Winnipeg Credit Union Chapter celebrated with a Credit Union Day banquet.
At the banquet, my grandpa received a special presentation from the Founders' Club of North America to recognize his role in organizing credit unions:
In 1950, the Manitoba government established a Co-operative Services branch and passed its first Credit Union Act.
The Co-operative Credit Society of Manitoba was established. The framework and content for the Act were prepared by the Society's founding directors. Many of the meetings were held in my grandparents' home at 240 Garfield Street. Here is that first board of directors:
Harold West had been involved in credit unions since 1938, beginning with the Commercial Telegraphers' Credit Union - the first industrial credit union in Manitoba. For several years, it even operated from his Garfield Street home. It is best remembered for its final permanent location in the former CNCP Telecommunications Building at Portage and Main.
That's my grandpa. And that's the pouch he used on visits to Canadian National Telegraphs to collect members' paycheques for deposit.
Harold West was completely dedicated and committed to the "credit union philosophy". In 1961, as President of the Credit Union League of Manitoba, he addressed the League's members at the Annual Meeting with this speech:
Like he said... To promote and protect the welfare of the individual member... symbolized by "The Little Man Under the Umbrella".
