Empowering Philippine Cooperatives: The Imperative of Professional Credit Personnel

The IPO registration of CCLP is driven by the rapid growth of cooperatives and the need for professional credit personnel. In the Philippines, cooperatives based on savings and lending activities are growing significantly, marked by an increase in assets and membership. According to data from the Cooperative Development Authority, the cooperative growth rate in the country has been higher than the GDP growth. Unfortunately, cooperatives in the Philippines have not been supported with good and professional human resources, as seen from the lack of professionalism. Most of them lack proper training and education in cooperative lending and financial management.

In the savings and lending service sector, cooperatives in developed countries have been using the services of competent professionals through various training and certifications. With the dynamics and complexities of the global economy, competent professionals who have a strong understanding through training and certification are highly needed to support the success of savings and lending cooperatives, especially in developing countries like the Philippines.

This is also aligned with Prof. Ian McColl's statement that the sector needs the fifth cooperative principle, which considers education and training "a favorable environment to develop" the members so that they can enhance their welfare.

But what is CCLP?

CCLP is an acronym for Certified Cooperative Lending Professional, which is a highly regarded certification earned by credit personnel who complete the Cooperative Lending Management Program (CLMP). The CLMP consists of three modules covering 15 topics that participants must complete before they can take the certification exam. Once a participant passes the exam, they can be officially recognized as a Certified Cooperative Lending Professional.

In the Philippines, CLMP training and CCLP certification as a pioneer training service for people working in savings and credit cooperatives are highly needed to professionalize them; they are also expected to become the bridge and encouraging factors for the development and success of cooperatives and the welfare of the members. In essence, the integration of professionalization among credit personnel transcends mere credentialism; it embodies a commitment to excellence, integrity, and member-centricity.

Mastering Financial Literacy: Crafting Effective Presentations for Empowered Decision-Making

As financial landscapes evolve and economic climates fluctuate, the importance of financial literacy becomes increasingly evident. In a bid to equip individuals with the necessary tools to navigate these changes, the Cooperative Academy of NATCCO Network – Knowledge Resource Center (CANN – KRC) facilitated a free webinar titled "How to Make an Effective Financial Literacy Module or Presentation", hosted by Ms. Racquel Gamuyao.  The webinar took place on March 13, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM via Zoom and was spearheaded by Ms. April S. Sequihod, Marketing and Member Relations Manager of King Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

After the opening preliminaries, Ms. Racks initiated the free webinar with the participants' expectations, highlighting their desire to enhance their knowledge in improving financial literacy modules. This set the stage for a valuable exchange of insights and techniques aimed at constructing modules and presentations that foster financial empowerment.

Throughout the webinar, Ms. Sequihod shared invaluable insights and techniques for creating impactful financial literacy modules or presentation. Here is a recap of the key takeaways from the session:

Webinar Goals and Objectives:

The primary goal of this webinar is to equip participants with the necessary skills and resources to create impactful financial literacy presentations or modules. Throughout the session, attendees will learn practical techniques for identifying audience needs, establishing clear learning objectives, designing engaging content, and assessing module effectiveness. Additionally, the webinar seeks to provide participants with the essential tools to effectively educate individuals on fundamental financial concepts such as earning, spending, saving, borrowing, and protecting money. By the end of the session, attendees can expect to have gained valuable insights into tailoring informative and engaging content to meet the specific requirements of their audience.

 

1. Define the Audience:

Understanding the audience's needs and knowledge levels is fundamental to designing a relevant module. Ms. Sequihod emphasized the importance of conducting thorough research to tailor the content to the specific requirements of the target audience.

2. Set Learning Objectives:

Clear and measurable learning objectives are essential for guiding the module's development. Participants were encouraged to create specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives, ensuring that learners can identify the skills and knowledge they will gain.

3. Expectation Setting:

Open communication with the audience helps establish trust and ensures alignment of expectations. Ms. Sequihod advised participants to inquire about the audience's expectations upfront to avoid misunderstandings.

 

4. Choose Topics:

It is critical to select topics based on audience needs and learning objectives. Modules that provide actionable advice on managing finances, setting goals, and making informed decisions become more relevant and engaging.

5. Develop Content:

Engaging and easy-to-understand content is key to keeping participants interested. Ms. Sequihod suggested incorporating various media formats and interactive activities, such as quizzes and real-life examples, to reinforce learning.

 

6. Include Real-life Examples:

Illustrating key concepts with real-life examples and case studies enhances the module's relatability and memorability, enabling learners to apply learned concepts in practical scenarios.

 

7. Provide Resources:

Additional resources, such as worksheets and links to relevant websites, facilitate further exploration and reinforce learning beyond the module.

 

8. Assessment:

Incorporating assessments or quizzes allows for evaluating understanding and provides feedback to participants, reinforcing their learning experience.

 

9. Make Follow-throughs:

Maintaining communication and demonstrating reliability through follow-throughs fosters strong relationships and trust with participants.

 

10. Feedback and Improvement:

Collecting feedback allows for continuous improvement of the module, addressing areas of improvement based on participant input.

 

11. Evaluate Impact:

Assessing the module's impact by evaluating whether learning objectives were met and gathering participant feedback informs future improvements.

The webinar concluded with participants knowing the importance of crafting an effective financial literacy module or presentations. Following these steps can make cooperatives empower individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions, thereby fostering financial resilience and well-being.

 

Stay tuned for more insightful webinars and program offerings by following our Facebook Page: NATCCO Networks Knowledge Resource Center!

Driving Towards Collective Success

Imagine trying to drive a car without knowing how to read road signs or use the pedals. Just like driving, managing finances can be overwhelming without the right knowledge. 

A webinar titled "Financial Literacy to Members to Lessen Delinquency" was conducted on February 21, 2024, to help cooperative members improve their financial literacy and avoid delinquency. Ms. Kathryn "Kathy" Lising led the session, which tackled the importance of financial literacy in the Philippines, outlining key statistics and actionable strategies to empower individuals to make better financial decisions.

Ms. Kathy started the session by sharing statistics from the World Bank, revealing the Philippines' position in the bottom 30 out of over 144 countries in terms of financial knowledge. Alarmingly, only 25% of adult Filipinos have basic financial knowledge, and many lack proper retirement and insurance plans. Financial literacy, as explained by Ms. Kathy, means managing money well for a better financial life. It involves handling income, expenses, savings, investments, and protecting assets. She shared that people who understand finances are more likely to save money, with a 20% increase seen among Filipinos who are financially literate.

Ms. Kathy outlined five aspects of financial literacy: Earn, Spend, Save, Invest, and Protect. She emphasized understanding income sources, categorizing expenses, setting savings goals, deliberate investment strategies, and safeguarding assets. She also emphasized the advantages of financial literacy, including achieving goals, making informed decisions, effective debt management, reducing financial stress, and making ethical decisions.

The webinar also emphasized the importance of financial literacy in preventing delinquency. A proactive approach with risk assessment, communication, education, and early warning systems is vital. Strategies like financial literacy training, credit counseling, and regular financial updates help prevent delinquency. Ms. Kathy concluded by emphasizing that knowledge alone does not always translate into behavioral change, highlighting the importance of addressing lifestyle in financial decision-making. She highlighted the importance of financial planning to navigate the present and future financial landscapes, stating that "we need to do financial planning because it requires an understanding of our present position as well as our future."

The webinar highlighted the importance of financial literacy in reducing delinquency and promoting wise financial management. By giving people the necessary financial knowledge and empowering them to make smart choices, the webinar helped build a stronger financial foundation for society. It is a reminder that when we invest in financial education, we invest in our collective success.

To be updated on our future free webinars, visit our Facebook Page: NATCCO Networks Knowledge Resource Center!