Making a difference: 6 testimonials from caisse directors

Ever thought about getting more involved at your caisse? Each caisse has its own board made up of committed directors who advocate for the interests of members and the community. They come from all walks of life and bring a wealth of expertise to help Desjardins Group reach new heights. In turn, they get to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

Testimonials. 

Desjardins caisses may be at the front and centre of Quebec’s social and economic life, but caisse directors play an important behind-the-scenes role. Board members are a veritable force—nearly 2,500 strong—with backgrounds as varied as their expertise. This means boards across Desjardins truly reflect the diversity of the members and communities they represent. Elected for a 3-year term, directors get the support they need to fulfill their new roles as they embark upon one of the most enriching experiences of their lives. 

Jules

At 29 years old, Jules Arsenault believes that by getting involved at Desjardins, he’s making sure that young people have a say. “I think it’s very important for the board to represent our community by including older folks, younger folks, members of racialized groups, and both men and women,” he explains. Jules finds that serving on a board not only aligns with his professional career as a tax lawyer, but also broadens his horizons. His expertise is a major asset during board meetings. When asked how he would describe his experience as a newly elected director, Jules replies, “It really is gratifying work.”

Ginette

After a long career in police work, Ginette Bolduc can attest to the needs of law enforcement professionals. So it was only natural for her to devote time to her board at Caisse Desjardins des policiers et policières. Ginette is someone who’s passionate about offering financial education to new police officers. “Thanks to the sound management of my caisse and the solid advice I was given in my younger years, I’m now in good financial health in my retirement.” 

Kevin

Kevin Coderre is a young marketing professional about to start his second term as a director, but he remembers a time not so long ago when he had a caisse passbook for his youth account. He’s always felt that the cooperative’s people-focused values reflect his own. “Being an ambassador for Desjardins has been very meaningful for me,” he states while explaining why he decided to apply. Kevin also takes pride in knowing that organizations in Drummondville directly benefit from the scholarships and donations provided by the caisse. 

Amy

As a board member at Caisse Desjardins Le Manoir in Mascouche, Amy Li St-Laurent feels she has a chance to give back to the community. “We have a number of highly motivated board members who go out into the community and talk to organizations and financial partners to drum up support for meaningful local projects and help our members find solutions,” she explains. As a part-time student and assistant librarian, Amy believes that her time on the board will help her build up a lot of professional experience. 

Véronique

Véronique Chery has been a director at Caisse Desjardins de Rivière-des-Prairies for 6 years. It’s an exciting role that always has her learning something new. “I work in finance, but on the board, I see all sorts of other dimensions, like governance, ethics and human resources. Things I don’t see in my everyday life,” says the accounting technician. Véronique’s first role on the board was as intern director. She was then elected as a director, which allowed her to thrive and make a difference at her caisse.