Azerbaijan

There could not be a fancy name to this post.  It can all be said in one word – Azerbaijan.  After meeting with seven CEO’s today from credit unions in Azerbaijan, the country’s name says it all to me, it is about not giving up.

It is a country that is forming itself and who have found that in this new formation, that credit unions will play a major role in helping its citizens.  Credit unions had existed there, but were destroyed years ago when it lost its independence, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azerbaijan.  In 1998, the movement reappeared and has been going and growing since.

The seven Azerbaijan credit unions represented today had all been formed between the years of 1999 and 2005.  Assets ranged from $160,000 to $1,000,000; membership- 354 members to 1,100 members.  The CEO of the Azerbaijan Credit Union League explained the position of the Bank of Azerbaijan and their credit unions.  It sounded very familiar to ValleyStone staff.  Their dedication to those in need sounded very familiar. But what was not familiar was their fight to gain tax exemption status; their fight to have savings accounts, and the continued existance of land mines left in the streets from previous political battles on their land.

 They took many notes, had many questions, we could have continued to talk into evening, but they will have their chance to continue to ask many more questions as they continue on their two week visit of nine credit unions in Massachusetts and New Hampshire as well as the Massachusetts Credit Union League., www.cucenter.org.  See other posts on www.cuesskybox.typepad.com/skybox/

 My favorite pictures from today: