Before I begin my remarks, on behalf of the Belmont family and myself, let me thank you Madam Chairperson, for your continued leadership, your interest, your vision and active involvement in the lives of families in your community and its environs to ensure a better way of life.

We appreciate not only your perspective, that of your parents and husband, but the focus and intensity with which you have addressed matters including your confidence placed in me in making your credit union dream a reality.

I remember that a little over 2 years ago, under the advise of the Registrar and two other credit union consultants,(personal friends of mine) and endorsed by the Registrar of Cooperatives, that Belmont Estate should twin initially as a branch with you the Grenville Credit Union due to its local preference, its reasonable proximity and viability.

We welcomed the idea as at the time we were not in a position to form our own credit union. On approaching the principals they did not hesitate to accommodate us. This is a true reflection of the high level of confidence they have in you the community of well over 500 potential members, the successful product at Belmont Estate and you the cocoa farmers. I hope you are well represented here today.

After having studied the financial strength of the Grenville Credit Union it is my view that it preserves access to thousands of members and it exists in a healthy, regulatory environment, an environment that recognizes the strength of a system that is co-operative in nature, volunteer driven, financially competitive in the marketplace and yet diverse in its membership.

I can speak with great conviction that the team at Belmont Estate feels proud to be associated with such a viable institution. Our ex-officio appointed member has legal specialties and along with my replacement and Belmont’s sub-committee they will assist the Grenville Credit Union resourcefully to include the responsibility for the overall safety and soundness of the Belmont branch.

The credit union branch has been designed to ensure that you the members are provided with a safe way of saving for the future. Members will have access to affordable credit when an unexpected event brings a short term need for extra cash. Unexpected events happen to members all the time for many reasons and this is where the credit union must be able to help low income people at affordable rates and not in 13 weeks as is the case with the competition, nor requiring members to save for weeks or months before they can access loans.

Remember, successful credit unions are those which can show members that they can help them now in time of need through flexible loans, secure savings facilities and demonstrate their worth in helping members to plan for a better future. The community members in retrospect must advertise by way of mouth share your experiences and assist in promoting through other group outreach to ensure growth capacity.

You the members must buy and increase your shares as presented, continue to save monthly, participate, make recommendations to ensure its viability and benefit incentives. Without your active involvement when called upon the branch will not survive.

I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to consult with its principals and subcommittee in the early process of its implementation. We made significant progress in carrying out its operational requirements but alas nature did not permit its opening then.

I look forward to being the Watch Dog across the seas right in St. Lucia throughout its processing and will be happy to assist from a distance to its progress whenever required to.

Thank you again for inviting me to join you on this auspicious day, a place where I have left my most memorable and cherished moments. Let us give three cheers to the Belmont Estate dream.

Hip! Hip! Hoorah, (3 times) and Happy Birthday.