LÉVIS, QC, April 9, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - On April 6, at the organization's 21st Congress of Elected Officers held in Montreal, more than 92% of the 1,000 caisse delegates in attendance voted in favour of adopting a voluntary policy to ensure the ratio of men to women on caisse boards of directors is more representative of Desjardins's members.
"It goes without saying that I'm very proud of this decision," said Monique F. Leroux, Chair of the Board, President and CEO of Desjardins Group. "Not only does it send a clear signal, but it will also make our cooperative group a leader among financial institutions." She continued, "Year after year, so many women are graduating from our colleges and universities and from corporate governance institutes. And that's a pool of expertise that our caisses—and our entire organization—can take advantage of."
In 2011, women made up 36% of caisse board membership, up from 34% five years ago.
In addition to the issue of gender parity, caisse delegates voted strongly in favour of a number of other recommendations, including the addition of intercooperation to the list of permanent Desjardins values. It is already a cooperative principle of the International Cooperative Alliance. Desjardins's existing permanent values, as adopted by the 14th Congress in 1986, are: money at the service of human development; personal commitment; democratic action; integrity and discipline in the cooperative enterprise; and solidarity with the community.
About Desjardins Group
Desjardins Group is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada with assets of nearly $200 billion. Drawing on the strength of its caisse network in Québec and Ontario and its subsidiaries across Canada, it offers a full range of financial products and services to its members and clients. Desjardins specializes in Wealth Management and Life and Health Insurance, in Property and Casualty Insurance, in Personal Services, in Business and Institutional Services. Best Corporate Citizen in Canada for 2012 and among Canada's Top 100 Employers, Desjardins is supported by the skills of its 44,942 employees and the commitment of 5,268 elected officers. Desjardins members and the general public are invited to visit Desjardins Group's education and cooperation program website at www.desjardins.com/co-opme.
SOURCE: DESJARDINS GROUP
(for journalists only):
Nathalie Genest
Spokesperson
Desjardins Group
514-281-7275 or 1-866-866-7000, ext. 7275
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