Gittens passionate about BPWCCUL

Sherry Gittens is passionate about the Barbados Public Workers Cooperative Credit Union Limited (BPWCCUL) as she would have become a member in the early 1990’s and has served as a volunteer under the founding father of the Credit Union Movement Keith Bourne.

“I have been a Credit Union Member from the early 1990s and have served as a volunteer at the Barbados Public Workers Co-operative Credit Union Limited (BPWCCUL) since Keith Bourne enlisted me to become the BPWCCUL Representative at the Treasury Department in the late 1990s. Twenty plus years later I am honoured and humbled to think that through my service I would have introduced many Barbadians, including those living at home and some abroad, to join the BPWCCUL, and then improve their life’s position through saving their money and obtaining loans at our beloved institution,” she said.

Gittens who is a holder of a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Accounting and is actively pursuing a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of The West Indies, Cave Hill Campus said that back then her responsibilities included resolving any queries or challenges persons would have had with the Credit Union. This has since changed into her being a part of the Supervisory Committee. “My responsibilities as a Rep also included trying to resolve any queries or challenges persons had with the Credit Union. The Credit Union Representatives were an integral part in the growth of the Credit Union, a human face pointing Members in the right direction. Three years ago, our members showed confidence in me and voted me on to the Supervisory Committee. A year later the Members of the Committee voted me in as the Chairman of the Supervisory Committee. Throughout the last three years I have worked tirelessly to ensure that our assets have been safeguarded,” she said.

The current Chairman of the Supervisory Committee who is seeking re-election in the upcoming elections on December 11th, 2021, said her passion to uphold the ethos of the credit union and protect the only black-owned indigenous non-banking institution within Barbados are the reasons why she continues to serve. She believes that the credit union should remain in existence for generations to come.

“I also possess an Associate Degree in Procurement and enhanced that through specialized training in Procurement Fraud and Contract Management. My training also included Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing. I work in the Public Service, and I am currently assigned to the Barbados Treasury as a Senior Accountant/Asset Manager. My education and experience have allowed me to be an effective member of the Supervisory Committee. I have gained a wealth of experience in matters surrounding the Barbados Public Workers Cooperative Credit Union Limited and I would like to continue my work in ensuring that the assets of the members are safeguarded. It is my goal if re-elected to ensure that policies are strengthened and implemented and regulatory guidelines and laws are rigorously adhered to,” she said.

Gittens who in her free time volunteers with many organizations to help the poor and disenfranchised in society said that it has been an honour and privilege to have served on the Supervisory Committee for the past three years. “It has been an honour and a privilege to have served on the Supervisory Committee. That responsibility allowed me to connect with our elder statesmen and women, for example, Mr. Goldwyn Edwards, Tony Griffin and Delisle Hurley. I will forever treasure the relationships I built with Staff, Credit Union Representatives and Members and the sense of unity and being in a community of like-minded individuals. I assure everyone that I will continue to humbly serve the Credit Union I love in whatever capacity the Creator affords me,” she said. (Write Right PR Services)