Retired Ontario Credit Union CEO Now Inspires Youth

GUELPH, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 12, 2011) - A retired credit union executive who recently accepted a challenge from a youth to invest more time in young people is now Ontario's top co-op youth mentor.

Gary Seveny who retired in 2007 as President and CEO of Alterna Bank and Alterna Savings, both of Ottawa, will be honored at the Annual Co-op Conference and Gala on Wed. Oct. 19 at the Burlington, Ont. Royal Botanical Gardens.

Seveny became a facilitator of Ontario's Co-operative Young Leaders (CYL) program for teenagers in 2008 after serving credit unions for more than 35 years. He learned more about the program from On Co-op's education manager Sonja Carrière when both were working as volunteers with credit unions in Ghana, Africa, to coach, mentor and assist them to become greater influences within their communities. Seveny says he was so impressed with Carrière's devotion to the co-operative sector that he was compelled to be part of CYL and influence the growth and development of future leaders.

Seveny has since swayed others, especially at credit unions, to increase their sponsorship of youth attending the Co-operative Young Leaders program and has brought in donations for the program. "Gary has a way of connecting with youth that one wouldn't know that he was a CEO in the credit union system--but it is his experience that gives him the knowledge and experience to help Co-op Young Leaders grow to a level of professionalism," says Jeff McCallum of North Wellington Co-operative Services Inc. who also served as a youth facilitator.

Ten other leaders are also celebrated at the awards banquet, bringing the total number of honorees to 110 since 1999, the inception of the Co-op Spirit Award. The banquet is the culmination of a daylong conference that draws up to 250 co-operative and credit union directors, employees, and supporters from across the province. Its theme is "Gearing Up," and is one of the first events in Canada to launch the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives in 2012. More than a billion people belong to co-operative organizations worldwide and will be celebrating the International Year.

Ontario has more than 1300 co-ops, with 1900 locations in 400 Ontario communities. Ontario co-operatives employ more than 15,500 people and are supported by a network of 49,000 volunteers.

On Co-op, based in Guelph, Ont., is a resource and common voice for Ontario credit unions and co-operatives, with a mission to lead, cultivate and connect the Ontario co-operative movement. Visit www.ontario.coop to learn more.