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Writer's pictureKelsie Papenhausen

2023 Distinguished Service Award Nominations Open

International honor to be awarded at 2023 World Credit Union Conference



2022 DSA Recipient Marshall Boutwell

MADISON, Wis.—Nominations are open for World Council of Credit Unions’ 2023 Distinguished Service Award (DSA). First presented in 1986, this esteemed award honors individuals and institutions that have provided outstanding service to credit union development outside their home country.


“Individuals or institutions that have worked to further World Council's vision of expanding financial inclusion through credit unions beyond their national borders are eligible for the Distinguished Service Award,” said Thomas Belekevich, World Council Director of Member Services. “We strongly encourage our member organizations to nominate any and all credit union leaders or institutions that exemplify the international spirt of cooperation and service.”

Individual recipients are those whose actions have significantly benefited global credit union development, while institutional recipients are organizations that have provided financial or technical assistance to develop international credit union movements and their service infrastructures over an extended period of time.


2022 DSA Recipient Marshall Boutwell

New for 2023, the nomination process is fully digital and can be completed online. Nominations must be made by a World Council member organization or a credit union affiliated with a member organization by March 10.


Recipients will receive a free registration to the 2023 World Credit Union Conference, July 23-26, in Vancouver, Canada, where the winner(s) will be announced and presented their awards.


The DSA is not an annual award but is presented based on the proven achievements and worthiness of candidates. World Council presented the 2022 Distinguished Service Award to Marshall Boutwell, President and CEO of Peach State Federal Credit Union (USA), for his long history of engagement with credit unions in Poland and Great Britain.



World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development platform for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.


World Council has implemented 300+ technical assistance programs in 90 countries. Worldwide, 87,914 credit unions in 118 countries serve 393 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.

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