gambia teachers union cooperative credit union … plan, 2016-2020..2.pdf · gambia teachers’...

GAMBIA TEACHERS’ UNION COOPERATIVE CREDIT UNION

2016

STRATEGIC PLAN 2016-2020

T E A C H E R H O U S E , K A N I F I N G I N S T I T U T I O N A L L A Y O U T

Five years to consolidate gains of two decades

By Board of Directors

1st January,2016

A Strategic plan addressing GTUCCU’s short and long term developmental needs

INTRODUCTION

The formation of a Credit Union within the Gambia Teachers Union by the National Executive Committee

(NEC) of Gambia Teachers’ Union came in the wake of a special resolution passed at the 1992 teachers’

congress. That resolution mandated the leaders to initiate a scheme that will enable members of GTU to

access affordable microfinance.

The resolve came at a time when teachers were being subjected to several forms of financial disadvantages

attributable to the unfavorable policies in financial institutions. These took the form of high interest charges

on loans and overdrafts, long delays for loans to be processed, high charges for services and insensitivity to

the special circumstances of teachers. This is the mandate of cooperatives and the seven cooperative

principles provided the avenue to deliver such a service. The steering committee set-up in August 1996

chose the financial cooperative model to provide such a service.

It was against this background that the credit union was formed to assist members mobilize their meager

resources by saving, in order to help themselves and their colleagues through loans and other services. In

1996 to be precise, members of the Gambia Teacher’s Union who until then were predominantly advocates

for better working conditions for teachers entered new territory to improve their members’ living conditions

through the philosophy of “people helping people”.

The committee assigned the setting-up of what is currently the Gambia’s largest Credit Union and arguably

the most successful one, received support from the GTU National Executive Committee in the form of rent

and utilities for free, an initial loan and technical inputs in administration and negotiations with stakeholders

in Government. National Association of Cooperative Credit Unions of the Gambia provided them technical

know-how on financial cooperatives while the Irish National Teacher Organisation (I.N.T.O.) provided us

both financial and technical support.

This is GTUCCU’s fifth strategic plan since inception. The role of planning in the evolution of the credit union

cannot be over emphasized as it created a sense of direction throughout the journey. Now with membership

about 20,000 including nominal members, and huge assets and members’ savings, five regional branches

(two of them constructed already) and over sixty members of staff, this plan aims to consolidate the gains of

the past two decades as well as usher in a new era of growth and service variety.

The plan contains the Vision, Mission, Goals, Motto, Objectives, Activities and Budgets. For the first time

though, cooperate values have been included as benchmarks for Board, Members and Staff to make reference

to in the execution of their duties to members and partners and GTUCCU. There are 17 Strategic goals and 38

38 strategic objectives set by the Board to take GTUCCU to the next level in five years with a five year

running budget attached to guide spending and forecast revenue.

This strategic plan has four pillars dubbed THEMES. It will focus on consolidating growth and expansion

strategies, address safety and soundness concerns, support new product development and uphold genuine

and productive Partnerships.

VISION

To make the GTUCCU a leading and vibrant financial institution that improves members’ socio-economic

status.

MISSION-STATEMENT

To provide fair, honest proactive leadership and the requisite skills and knowledge to steer the credit union

in order to provide our members the ideal, sound and safe environment to invest and depend on for micro

finance products.

We shall vigorously strive to achieve decent living and working conditions for members through (the

provision of) easy access to affordable, productive financial (and non financial) services. These, we shall seek

through partnership, voluntarism and the strict adherence to the philosophy of “people helping people”.

MOTTO

“Good to borrow, Better to repay, best to save”.

CORE VALUES:

Staff shall be tolerant, tactful, honest and embrace the principles of diversity and non-discrimination in

the course of executing their duties at all times;

Leaders and employees shall be accountable for their actions through transparency and prudence in

decisions for and on behalf of the credit union;

Members shall uphold the principles of sustainability, ownership and participation, jealously guarding

the credit union by electing competent and committed volunteers always;

Collectively, stakeholders shall be guided by the principles of good governance and democracy,

integrity and commitment to the rule of law, safety and soundness of the credit union.

SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGHTS:

Strong Membership and potential for continuous growth

Ownership of Business premises called Teacher House and construction of Regional branch Offices

Provision of motor cycles to members and Regional Board Directors to facilitate their movement.

Provision and maintenance of vehicles for the Officers to use during coordination of GTUCCU

operations.

Introduction of Internal Audits and Controls

Regular annual external audits

Strong share capital which grows annually

Competent, experienced and reliable human resources

Computerized member accounts in a reliable software package

Ownership of assets e.g. office premises, equipment, vehicles, etc.

Proper management and maintenance of assets to facilitate operations

Mobilization of savings to create funds for loans to members

Good reputation/image leading to confidence in the credit union

Strong, visionary, strategic, pragmatic management and leadership

Strong national partnership with Government, GTU and NACCUG.

Mutually beneficial, productive international partnership especially the Irish National Teacher

Organisation

Good Financial standing-good cash inflows

Continuous improvement of Members’ Scio-Economic Status (member patronage)

Appreciation of GTUCCU services by members and stakeholders

Accessible services through regional branches

Adoption of good governance principles and management structures.

Proactive and innovative Board of Directors

Dedicated and committed Staff.

Steadfast volunteers at grassroots level

Consistent service quality

Daily front office services

Check –off Services provided by Government.

Good conditions of service for staff.

Voluntarism of Members in leadership.

Properly constituted and functional committees.

Continuous and capacity building of staff and Volunteers.

Functional Regional Structures.

Recognition of GTUCCU Nationally and Internationally.

Good management of School Improvement Grant.

Regular holding of Annual General Meeting.

The Union relying on a solicitor and other consultants for professional guidance.

A reliable and versatile Software package.

Comprehensive product range.

Proposed shared branching scheme.

GTUCCU affiliation to NACCUG

Association with GTU and sharing clientele

Overlapping of leadership with GTU

Synchronizing of GTUCCU regional structures with GTU structures.

Establishment of the consumer cooperative unit

Building Soma and Basse regional office Premises

WEAKNESSES

Inadequate member education on Credit Union Management leading to misunderstanding of

cooperative principles.

Limited capital base resulting in low investments.

Limited commitment of some members.

Growing bad debts due to death, travels, transfers or errors.

Limited ICT skills in volunteers and staff.

Loan insecurity due to unpredictable guarantors and weak collaterals.

Limited finance management knowledge of volunteer leaders.

High withdrawal of savings by members reducing investment opportunities.

Occasional slow service delivery at outlets.

Inadequate customer services assistance.

Delays in information disseminations to and from the grassroots.

High cost of maintenance equipment.

Under development of the Consumer Cooperative.

High rate of default in repaying loans.

Inaccurate/incomplete inputting of member data by Accountant General’s Department/MoBSE.

Errors of recording and inputting member details

Lack of Human resource specialist.

Inadequate documentation and filing of member details.

OPPORTUNITIES

Continued member education and recruitment of Gambia College students.

Good investment opportunities at Central Bank of the Gambia.

Extremely high expectations from general public.

Possibility of opening common bond to general public.

Introduction of Consumer Cooperative unit

Introduction Health Care and Insurance scheme.

Introduction of Islamic micro finance

Extension of common bond to accommodate spouse and off spring

Affordable interest rates on Loans and other services.

Base rate returns on investments from CBG.

Additional cash flows from School Improvement Grants.

Maintaining School and other Institutional Account

Use of Information Technology to compute member details and transaction.

Expansion of Gambia College training programs and subsequent increase in recruitment potential.

Political and Economic Stability in the Gambia.

Check –off system to collect members’ savings and loan repayments.

Expansion and diversification of products and services to members.

Establishment of genuine partnerships locally and internationally.

Good and mutually beneficial relationship with Government particularly MoFEA, MoBSE and

MoHERST.

Good investment opportunities for excess funds due to proliferation of banks.

Decentralization of CU services.

Highly educated and skilled staff.

Acquiring Land for Regional Offices and accommodation in Basse, Brikama, Farafenni and Soma.

Paying salaries through members’ accounts

THREATS

More Micro-Finance and micro-insurance Organization and Banks targeting our members.

Inadequate understanding of the operations of credit unions by Regulators

Poor internet connectivity

Lack of specific Legislation to regulate MFI environment

Limited Supervision by CBG and no inspection by Registrar of cooperatives.

Lack of special legislation for Credit unions.

Proliferation of microfinance services.

Weaker common bonds resulting in members joining other CUs.

Over indebtedness of our members

Financial market instability

Global Financial crisis

Unreliable networks and internet connectivity

Cheaper loans to Civil servants by government

Conflict of Interest culminating in ownership and control disputes with GTU leadership

Conflicting and competing regulatory arms of Government.

High cost of electricity and fuel.

Involvement in payment of Teachers’ salary which exposes us to risks of theft and other forms of lost.

Creation of a Civil Service Credit Union and other CUs opening common bonds.

Dependence on Check-off system.

International migration and its ramifications.

Contagious disease outbreaks.

Global warming.

GOALS

1. Providing a generic and sustainable insurance scheme to protect members’ deposits at an affordable

premium.

2. Provision of sustainable and affordable housing scheme for members in villages situated in growing

communities and towns across all regions

3. Complete the decentralization of all services of GTUCCU to all the regions by building offices in each

divisional Headquarter and other strategic locations to reduce travelling problems for members.

4. In collaboration with the National Association of Cooperative Credit Unions of the Gambia, GTUCCU

shall Seek or pursue special legislation for financial cooperatives in order to give legal credence to the

uniqueness of Credit Unions.

5. Introduce an entrepreneurial program within the consumer unit to target, identify and support

members with genuine business acumen in order to establish viable businesses.

6. Support members and institutions in custody of arable land to secure protect and cultivate “what they

eat and eat what they grow”.

7. GTUCCU shall orientate delivery services towards youth friendly initiatives while cultivating a culture

of savings and credit in youth targeting organized societies in schools, colleges and Universities

8. GTUCCU shall diversify its income generating efforts in order to increase opportunities to move

towards self-sufficiency in operations thereby reducing the chances of seeking to tax members further.

9. GTUCCU shall introduce new products and services to respond to the global revolution in technology,

climate change and members’ changing needs and wants.

10. In the midst of expanded services and exposure resulting from decentralizing operations, GTUCCU shall

institute measures and strategies aimed at ensuring the effective mitigation and management of risk in

operations, finance, and management

THEME 1: Consolidating growth and expansion strategies.

11. GTUCCU shall pursue policies that encourage growth in membership, revenue, and efficiency in

liquidity management.

12. GTUCCU shall improve the safety and soundness of its operations by strengthening internal controls

and empowering relevant officers to conduct necessary tests on our processes, procedures and

systems at all times..

13. GTUCCU leadership shall strengthen the existing partnership with GTU, NACCUG, INTO, MoBSE, AG,

MoHERST and other credit unions in and outside the Gambia for the mutual benefits of both parties as

well as explore possibility of signing Memoranda with potential financiers of its new products and

services new ones.

14. Practice of Good governance standards and principles shall be observed in the GTUCCU.

15. GTUCCU shall engage in genuine corporate social responsibility ventures and make sure the general

public is adequately informed of these contributions.

16. Personnel of GTUCCU shall be screened to ensure competent ones are recruited to serve and those

appointed on the bases of their knowledge shall be provided special requisite training in-house or in

Institutions within and outside Gambia, and posted to the most appropriate positions and locations.

17. GTUCCU shall provide Staff and volunteers training on skills required to carry out their mandate and

develop the credit union to accommodate the growth and expansion realized.

GOAL 1: Complete the decentralization of all services of GTUCCU to all the regions by building offices in

each divisional Headquarter and other strategic locations to reduce travelling problems for

members.

OBJECTIVES ACTIVITY STRATEGY INDICATOR 1. By December 31,

2018 five GTUCCU

Regional Offices will

have been

constructed and

operational with

solar installed and

reliable internet

access.

a. Raise funds for constructing offices in Regions five three and two.

b. Tender projects and identify contractors to construct offices.

c. Open an outlet at Wassu Village in the CRR, and Essau in the NBR.

d. Install solar electrification in Wassu and Farafenni and Essau.

I. Collaboration

II. Expansion

i. Foot traffic in

Kanifing shall

be reduced.

2. By December 31st

2020, GTUCCU shall

construct between ten

and twenty standard

guest houses in

Regions three, four,

five and six as an

income generating

venture.

a. Secure Land in strategic location in

Divisional Headquarters for the

purpose.

b. Construct hostels in Regional Offices

for commercial reasons.

I. Consultancy.

i. Revenue

from

Branches

will rise

3. By December 31st

2016, competent ICT

staff that is conversant

with the ABACUS

software shall be

available in each

Regional Office to

provide hands-on

support to operations.

a. Build capacity of Regional staff in ICT

and ABACUS in particular.

b. Provide additional equipment e.g. Licenses, computers, printers etc.

c. Develop a manual/ handbook on the

Abacus package and basics of computing.

d. Recruit ICT specialists for deployment to Regions

I. Training

i. Reduction in

H/Q staff

trekking to fix

ICT problems

in Branches.

4. By December 31st 2020, each Regional paymaster shall have access to a roadworthy vehicle owned by GTUCCU for use during salary payments.

a. Review the MOU with MoBSE and Accountant General’s Department.

b. Collect royalties from SIG receiving schools.

c. Engage MoBSE for possible procurement of vehicles using UNOP.

I. Consultation

II. Signing of

MOUs

i. Risk associated with vehicle breakdown reduced.

ii. Reduction of

delays in

salary

payment.

GOAL 2: GTUCCU shall pursue policies that encourage growth in membership, revenue, and efficiency in

liquidity management.

OBJECTIVES ACTIVITY STRATEGY INDICATOR 1. By December 31st

2020, total

membership of

GTUCCU comprising

ordinary, nominal and

retired shall have

reached 35,000.

a. Sensitizing teacher trainees to

maintain automatic membership.

b. Recruitment campaign mounted

annually targeting Islamic schools,

Nursery/Kindergarten and private

schools.

I. Review common bond.

i. Enough

membership

dues to run

the business

(break

even).

c. Radio programs, Newspaper Articles

portraying our services.

d. Member education

e. News letter established.

f. Set-up a website and upload all information members need and updates from operations.

2. By December 31st

2016, GTUCCU

reserves shall reach

25% of total assets.

a. Isolate the reserved account.

b. 50% of annual surplus paid to

reserves.

c. Consolidate reserve fund.

3. By December 31st

2020, GTUCCU assets

shall grow by 50%

against the value at

31st December 2015.

a. 50% surplus to reserves.

b. Increase our investments in

profitable ventures.

c. Seek and increase in shares contribution through AGM.

d. Open share value ceiling.

e. Open share ownership.

f. Prepare and approve policy.

g. Researching on policy formulation.

h. Sensitization/education of members.

4. By December 31st

2016, GTUCCU shall

have a system to

analyze ratios and

forecast cash flows to

ensure stable liquidity.

a. Align our financial reporting to CBG standards.

b. Training of Finance Department staff on ratio analysis and finance intelligence management.

c. Write and seek approval of manual/guidelines for preparation of ratios and forecasts.

5. By January 31st 2017,

GTUCCU shall have a

policy allowing it to

negotiate with other

credit unions for

a. Meetings and seminars

b. Joint conferences

I. Dialogue

II. Partnership

i. Growth in

membership

ii. Greater

financial

amalgamation and

possible acquisition.

c. Policy development

d. Sanitation and signing of MOUs

security

iii. Consolidation

in

cooperative

GOAL 3: GTUCCU shall orientate delivery of services towards youth friendly initiatives while cultivating a

culture of savings and credit in youth targeting organized societies in schools, colleges and

Universities.

OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES STRATEGY INDICATOR 1. By 31st Dec. 2017,

products and services offered by GTUCCU shall have youth orientation in order to reflect contemporary youth life style.

a. Establish a desk/office.

b. Identify a youth program officer.

c. Include naming ceremonies, weddings, school fees, mobility and electronic gadgets as consumer products.

d. Mortgaging of homes to members.

e. Lunch and maintain social media platforms like facebook, GTUCU website, twitter, etc.

I. Education

and sensitization

II. Training III. Diversifying

products

i. Higher transition rate from schools to GTUCCU.

ii. Greater acceptance and understanding of the principle of cooperatives by the public.

iii. Increased use of financial

f. Member education and sensitization.

g. Target college and other graduates.

h. Develop materials.

i. Policy development and approval by Board and AGM.

j. Pilot testing materials and concept.

k. Feasibility study.

cooperative model.

iv. Have a more youthful looking membership.

THEME 2: Safety and Soundness concerns.

GOAL 1: Providing a generic and sustainable savings and loan protection scheme to protect members’

deposits at an affordable premium.

OBJECTIVES ACTIVITY STRATEGY INDICATOR

1. By 30th June, 2018,

policies and an

a. Conduct a desk research on loan protection policies and operations.

I. Outsource the technical details to a consultant

i. Policy

operations manual for

a savings protection

scheme shall be

approved by the Board

of Directors.

b. Market research to establish potentials.

c. Organize workshop for GTUCCU

leaders on loan protection and policy development.

d. Validation of draft policy documents. e. Present to AGM for ratification.

f. Sensitize members on the draft

policy framework.

g. Engage a consultant to guide the policy development.

who works with an ad-hoc committee.

II. Headhunt

specialist and blend with staffs that are grounded in GTUCCU culture.

documents and operation manual in place and.

2. By December 31st

2019, GTUCCU Loan

protection Unit shall

be operational with

policies approved;

premiums received

and staff recruiting

interested members.

a. Member Education on the benefits of loan protection and the rationale behind the new product.

b. Capacity building for staff and volunteers.

c. Trial testing of instruments developed by working group.

I. Internship

II. Engagement and

partnership

ii. Members

registering for insurance services.

3. By 2017, December

31st, members of

GTUCCU shall pass a

resolution agreeing to

contribute at least 1%

of loans as premium

to the loan protection

Unit.

a. Member Education on loan protection scheme, i.e. how it will operate and benefits.

b. Educate grass roots on the spirit of the loan protection scheme through cluster engagements.

c. Appoint loan protection champions and train them on marketing the product.

d. Draft Resolution and sensitize members through Regional.

I. Sanitation

II. Advocacy

i. Loan protection policy in place.

GOAL 2: GTUCCU shall provide Staff and volunteers training on skills required to carry out their mandate

and develop the credit union to accommodate the growth and expansion realized.

OBJECTIVES ACTIVITY STRATEGY INDICATOR 1. By December 31

2020, staff requiring

knowledge, skills and

abilities to delivers

services on behalf of

GTUCCU shall receive

training in the

following as

appropriate:

Data protection and management

Anti-money laundering

Finance management

ICT

Cooperative

a. Conduct training needs assessment exercise.

b. Identify personnel and conduct training as revealed by Performance Management System.

c. Select competent resource persons and or institutions and allocate resources to conduct training locally, internally and internationally.

d. Establish, manage and update

continually, a talent bank.

e. Member education and

sensitization.

I. In-house training and consultancy.

II. Partnering

with experienced players.

III. Profiling staff.

i. Increased

capacity.

ii. Create

efficiency

and

effectivenes

s.

iii. Improve

competency

levels.

development education

Procurement

Risk management

Driving

2. By 31st December

2020, 2,500 grassroots

leaders of GTU shall

have been trained on

credit union

operations, marketing

skills and recruitment.

a. Organize board and other

committee seminars.

b. Organize Board retreats to preview

each year’s activities and budgets.

c. Organize ICT training camps for

specialized training on computing

for volunteers.

d. Conduct annually member training

for 500 grassroots volunteers.

e. Develop training manuals.

I. Improve

competency

levels.

f. Conduct training of trainers.


GTUCCU shall

introduce a

Performance

Management System

a. Sensitize/train Leadership and Management on the process, advantages and disadvantages of PMS.

b. Recruit HR personnel.

c. Recruit PMS champions who will entrench the use of PMS feedback to resource HR decisions and processes

GOAL 3: In the midst of expanded services and exposure resulting from decentralizing operations, GTUCCU

shall institute measures and strategies aimed at ensuring the effective mitigation and management

of risk in operations, finance, and management.

OBJECTIVES ACTIVITY STRATEGY INDICATOR 1. By 31st December

2016, GTUCCU shall

institute a

comprehensive

Information

a. Design risk management policy to outline how GTUCCU deals with risk.

b. Design and seek approval for a policy and instruments to institute

I. Research

II. Consulting

III. Training

i. A secure

Information

System.

Management System

that will mitigate

system risk, liquidity

risk, operational risk,

compliance and

governance risk,

capital adequacy risk,

market risk, and

legislative risk.

signature and username security.

c. Design and seek approval for a comprehensive data protection and security policy.

d. Identify, secure and regularly update antivirus procurement procedure in order to avoid non-genuine operating system.

e. Distribute ICT staff to ensure each branch has access to a competent resource.

f. Train a member of staff on data processing to degree level.

g. Strengthen Internal Control procedures.

h. Re-enforce Control Department staff.

i. Install security Cameras in all premises.

IV. Internship

ii. A safe Credit

Union.

GOAL 4: GTUCCU shall improve the safety and soundness of its operations by strengthening internal

controls and empowering relevant officers to conduct necessary tests on our processes,

procedures and systems at all times.


1. By December 31st

2020, revenue

generated by GTUCCU

through operational

efficiencies shall be

adequate to offset

operational expenses

so that interest on

loans will not be used

up for the same

purpose.

a. Increase investments in T/Bills.

b. Diversify investments of surplus funds to lucrative safe offers from Banks.

c. Rationalize spending.

d. Review loan lost policy regularly reviewed.

e. Introduce loan protection scheme.

f. Insurance for loans and assets.

g. Introduce special products and services at cost.

h. Introduce salary accounts with overdraft facility.

I. Austerity.

II. Prudence.

III. Expansion.

IV. Diversification (Growth).

i. Rise in

liquidity

and asset

ratios.

ii. Grater

solvency.

i. Expand the activities of the consumer unit.

j. Construct hostels in regional branches.

2. By December 31st

2016, GTUCCU shall

genuinely pursue all

outstanding bad debts

and come up with a

better scheme to

pursue current

defaulters and quickly

detect future ones.

a. Follow-ups on defaulters by

making telephone calls, meetings,

writing letters, etc.

b. Train the Credit Control

Committees on functions, roles,

responsibilities and expectations of

positions.

c. Initiate an early warning

mechanism to detect defaulters.

d. Engage Curator’s office, employers

and our legal practitioner in

recovery.

e. Thorough review of collaterals and

guarantors.

I. Legal

proceedings

II. Prudence III. Profiling

members.

IV. Engagement and partnership

i. High

recovery

of debt.

ii. Low

defaulter

rate.

f. Timely transfers of defaulters’

balances to guarantors.

GOAL 5: Practice of Good governance standards and principles shall be observed in the GTUCCU.



GTUCCU shall have

functionally proficient

Board, Supervisory

Committee, Loans

Review Committee,

Nominating

Committee, and Credit

Control Committee in

place to provide

oversight by meeting

regularly and taking

appropriate decisions.

a. Elect or co-opt into all committees.

b. Train the committees on functions,

roles, responsibilities and

expectations of positions.

c. Provide reasonable incentives to

mitigate cost of participations.

d. Seminars, conferences, retreats,

meetings organized and attended

nationally and internationally.

e. Organize/arrange internship for

critical staff.

f. Policy review and development.

g. Organize regular AGMs and conduct

credible elections according to

I. Training

II. partnership

i. Efficient and

effective committees.

ii. Compliance with regulations.

standing orders and bye-laws.

h. Conform to NACCUG safety and

soundness policies.

i. Adhere to CBG regulatory

requirements in concert with

NACCUG.

j. Review bye-laws, Loan policy and

validate them.

K. Draft resolutions and seek

endorsement by the Board and

approval by the AGM.

GOAL 6: Personnel of GTUCCU shall be screened to ensure competent ones are recruited to serve and those

appointed on the bases of their knowledge, skills and abilities shall be provided special requisite

training in-house or in Institutions within and outside Gambia, and posted to the most appropriate

positions and locations.


1. By December 31st

2016, GTUCCU shall

introduce a functional

a. Conduct comprehensively credible

appraisal of staff.

I. Training

i. Effective

and efficient Personnel

Management System.

b. Promote deserving staff.

c. Deploy staff appropriately.

d. Recruit appropriate and relevant

talent.

e. Enroll staff on professional training

at UTG, AIU and other tertiary

institutions.

f. Participation in Conferences and

internship.

g. Create a talent bank and manage it

properly.

h. Regularly review and document

staff performance.

i. Performance reviews and

(develop talent) (Buying talent).

II. Restructure staff

staff by-in service delivery.

ii. Higher productivity.

iii. Satisfied staff.

appraisals in relation to Reward

systems.

j. Isolate Human resource

management from Admin and

appoint qualified staff to manage

staff.

k. Review, revise and update

operations manual.

l. Review Job specifications of all

positions to align them to strategic

plan.

THEME 3: New product development.

GOAL 1: Provision of sustainable and affordable housing scheme for members in villages situated in

growing communities and towns across all regions.


1. By December 31st 2017, GTUCCU –CU shall have secured affordable financing with interest rates below the CBG discount rate to build at least 2000 housing units for mortgaging to members.

a. Consult potentially genuine partners for roadmap to secure financing.

b. Write and submit to potential financiers proposals to secure financing.

c. Conduct through professionals feasibility studies of low cost housing.

I. Procurement of contractors through homegrown or outsourcing.

II. Negotiate with partners.

III. Partnership will be established.

i. Katchumeh and Berending villages developed and distributed.

2. By December 31st 2016, GTUCCU leadership shall own a piece of land intended for a Teacher village(s) in each administrative region in the Gambia

a. Conduct surveys and demarcate plots.

b. Identify contractors for award of construction of villages.

c. Conduct feasibility study of the projects.

d. Purchasing pieces of land in strategic locations intended for distribution to members in the long term.

e. Through traditional land acquisition methods, seek land allocation to GTUCCU in each Region.

I. Negotiation II. Sensitization

i. Some homes developed and distributed in each region.

3. By December 31st 2020, GTUCCU Consumer Unit shall distribute at least 2000 housing units to members

a. Screen applicants, identify qualified beneficiaries and allocate homes.

b. Develop and maintain public facilities in the villages.

c. Develop pieces of land purchased from local owners in Gunjur and other places.

d. Revise Consumer Unit Policies and instruments to cater for mortgaging.

e. Sensitize members on GTUCCU Housing scheme.

f. Consultancy to conduct Risk assessment of the scheme.

I. Member profiling

i. homes distributed to members

GOAL 2: Introduce an entrepreneurial program within the consumer unit to target, identify and support

members with genuine business acumen in order to establish viable businesses. OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES STRATEGY INDICATOR 1. By Dec 31st 2018,

GTUCCU shall train at least 200 members on small and medium

a. Screen and identify participants

with business ideas.

b. Develop training materials.

I. Diversification

II. Training

III. Partnership

i. Increase

savings

from

enterprise business development and management.

c. Training of trainers, workshops to

prepare volunteers to serve as

resource persons.

d. Engage GCCI, NEDI, GIEPA, UTG,

and MDI and organize workshops

and seminars.

e. Attachment for participants to

experienced business

management.

f. Mobilize and provide financial

viable ventures immerging from

the project

g. Coach participants to develop

business proposals.

h. Provide support to participants

through monitoring and

coordination

IV. Development

V. Sanitation and

member

education

small/med

ium

businesses

.

GOAL 3: Support members and institutions in custody of arable land to secure protect and cultivate

“what they eat and eat what they grow”. OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES STRATEGY INDICATOR

1. By 31st Dec. 2020,

a. Member education and sensitizations.

I. Partnership

i. Increase in member

members and institutions shall be engaged in productive commercial farming activities while addressing food self-sufficiency and security

b. Target and identify potential

beneficiaries.

c. Training of beneficiaries on modern agric methods to boost production.

d. Provide farm inputs for engagement in poultry farming, horticulture, forestry, fishing, aqua-culture, orchards and animal husbandry.

e. Collaborate with SAFMU unit to improve home-grown food for the school canteens.

II. Sensitizing income level

ii. Home grown school feeding enhanced.

GOAL 4: GTUCCU shall diversify its income generating efforts in order to increase opportunities to move

towards self-sufficiency in operations thereby reducing the chances of seeking to tax members

further.

OBJECTIVES ACTIVITY STRATEGY INDICATOR 1. By Dec. 31st 2016 GTUCCU shall operate an Islamic Microfinance Scheme with specific products including life

a. Seek Supreme Islamic Council approval and endorsement from CBG.

b. Develop and test operational instruments like application forms,

I. Training

II. Partnership (SIC, IOU)

i. Growth in revenue due to increased investment

event savings accounts, individual development accounts, business development accounts, educational savings accounts, investment accounts, and zakat accounts

etc.

c. Recruit bi-lingual staff with the knowledge of finance.

d. Member education and sensitization

e. Lunch the product.

f. Constitute special advisory Board and train them on policy.

g. Membership recruitment campaign.

h. Report to members on activities of the year.

i. Setup grassroots structures by targeting specialists and training them on operations and benefits of IMF.

j. Develop a comprehensive business plan.

ii. Membership growth

iii. Diverse product range.

2. By May 31st 2016, GTUCCU shall operate a local money transfer

a. Develop policies and instruments to

govern and operationalize it.

I. Advocacy

II. Training

i. Growth in income

service that will allow members send and receive money in all GTUCCU outlets at a low cost.

b. Identify and train staff

c. Sensitize members

d. Initiate codes

e. Creation of a special account

III. Diversification

GOAL 5: GTUCCU shall introduce new products and services to respond to the global revolution in

technology, climate change and members’ changing needs and wants.

OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES STRATEGY INDICATOR 1. By Dec. 31st 2020,

GTUCCU-CU shall offer the general public and members of the GTUCCU products ranging from electronic gadgets, building materials, agricultural inputs.

a. Open and stock shops in “lumo” centered settlements located in growing villages and towns.

b. Re-enforce partnerships with vendors and suppliers to import goods for distribution.

c. Construct shops in teacher villages and Regional Branch Offices where appropriate.

d. Conduct member education and sensitization.

e. Recruit and train staff on

I. Partnership

i. Proliferation of Consumer Unit activities.

ii. Increase

access to GTUCCU-CU products.

iii. Increased

revenue Sustainability of GTUCCU-CU

operations.

f. Develop a comprehensive business plan.

THEME 4: Genuine and productive Partnerships.

GOAL 1: In collaboration with the National Association of Cooperative Credit Unions, GTUCCU shall Seek or

pursue special legislation for financial cooperatives in order to give legal credence to the uniqueness of

Credit Unions.

OBJECTIVES ACTIVITY STRATEGY INDICATOR 1. By December 31st

2016, GTUCCU shall

operate within a safe

and sound financial co-

operative environment

sufficiently regulated

by an Act of

Parliament.

a. Engage NACCUG, Co-operatives Department, National Assembly, CBG and other CUs for dialogue on special legislation for co-operatives.

b. Research and document justification

for our advocacy.

c. Encourage national dialogue on improving the co-operative sector.

d. Organize seminar for stakeholders on the significance of legislation for the sector.

I. Partnering with other CUs.

II. Advocacy

III. Negotiating

i. Separate

legislation

for co-

operative

ii. National

conference

on co-

operative.

e. GTUCCU co-funds

seminars/workshops organized to come up with special legislation for co-operatives.

f. Sponsor a Bill at the National Assembly through GTUCCU members in Parliament.

g. Lobby National Assembly Members for ratification of the act.

GOAL 2: GTUCCU leadership shall strengthen the existing partnership with GTU, NACCUG, INTO, MoBSE, AG,

MoHERST and other credit unions in and outside the Gambia for the mutual benefits of both parties as

well as explores possibility of signing Memoranda with potential financiers of its new products and

services.


1. By March 31st 2016,

partnerships with

CBG, Cooperative

Department, MoBSE,

AG, shall be reviewed

and Memoranda

signed to map out

a. Organize seminars and meetings

for stakeholders.

b. Sign memoranda.

c. Sign joint communiqués.

d. Review existing policies and align

I. Negotiation

II. Advocate partnership

i. Stronger and

mutual

beneficial

relationship

with

partners.

future relationships

and cooperation.

them to international conventions.

2. By March 31st 2016,

GTUCCU and GTU shall

agree to aligned

programs and systems

that will engage and

enable both leadership

to embark on member

education on their

policies, mandates and

interventions.

a. Develop a calendar

b. Organize meetings and workshops

c. Sensitization

d. Capacity building of grassroots structures.

I. Orientation

II. Partnership

III. Dialogue

i. Better

collaboration

and

understand

ii. Peaceful co-

existence

3. By May 31st 2016,

GTUCCU and GTU shall

have statutory policies

in place and MOUs

signed that will define

and entrench future

relations.

a. Organize meetings and seminars for board and NEC.

b. Develop and sign MOUs and treaties.

c. Review and amend existing policies to reflect development.

I. Consultation

II. Partnership

III. Dialogue

i. Better

collaborati

on and co-

existence.

4. By 31st March 2016,

a. Arrange joint meetings of leadership

b. Signing of MOUs

I. Communication II. Dialogue

i. Sustainable,

cordial and

mutually

GTUCCU leadership

shall negotiate with

I.N.T.O to strengthen

existing technical,

material and financial

cooperation

c. Support exchange visits

d. Present program of activities and trainings

beneficial

relationship

5. By 31st December

2018, GTUCCU and

NACCUG shall

advocate for a

separate Ministry of

Co-operatives

development that

focus on developing,

promoting and

managing the affairs of

cooperatives in the

Gambia.

a. Organize joint meetings with

NACCUG leadership

b. Engage government through

seminars

c. Signing of MOUs

I. Partnership.

II. Negotiation.

III. Sensitizing

IV. Dialogue

i. Separate

Ministry for

cooperatives

ii. National

conference on

co-operative.

6. By May 31st 2017,

GTUCCU shall

advocate to NACCUG

to design and conduct

a. Organize meetings and conduct

workshops

b. Conduct trainings

I. Consultation

II. Partnership

III. Dialogue

i. Highly

trained staff

and

volunteers.

training of staff and

volunteers on credit

union operations and

management,

principles of

cooperative, roles and

responsibilities of

various committees.

c. Sensitization

d. Engage NACCUG leadership

GOAL 3: GTUCCU shall engage in genuine Corporate social responsibility ventures and make sure the general

public is adequately informed of these contributions.


1. By December 31st

2016, GTUCCU shall

invest at least 1% of

declared annual profit

on social cooperate

responsibility.

a. Strengthen counseling of members

on responsible loan management.

b. Invest in health facilities and

babies-friendly schemes.

c. Support educational trusts and

foundations recognized by MoBSE.

d. Publicise all social responsibility

ventures.

I. Publicity.

II. Partnership.

i. Enhance visibility leading to GTUCCU being a household name.

e. Sensitize communities and educate

members on what we do as a credit

union. (Principle Seven).


GTU and GTUCCU shall

identify and perform

their social services in

education, health,

agriculture and sports.

a. Partnership with other institutions

locally and internationally.

b. Develop proposals and guidelines.

c. Raise funds.

d. Engage stakeholders and set up

committees.

I. Publicity

II. Partnership

i. Participate in

nation

development

on a single

platform.

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