Background

"There is no time or place where officers and managers of the various components of Desjardins Group can come together in a global Desjardins perspective."

This observation was made during an orientation seminar on the development of Desjardins in November 2000, attended by the members of the Board of Directors and the senior management team of Desjardins Group.

• Work starts in 2001. The cooperative network's 2002-2005 human resources plan, comprises "be innovative in our training approaches and subject matter to anticipate members' needs" among its key objectives.
• To nourish thought on new training strategies and approaches, a study of the best practices of various major corporations here and elsewhere is conducted, which leads to the Desjardins Cooperative Institute (DCI) project.
• In September 2002, the Board of Directors of the Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec, where the caisses and subsidiaries of Desjardins Group are represented, approves the guiding principles of DCI.
• In November 2002, a vast consultation is carried out among the officers and managers of the caisses, Fédération and subsidiaries of Desjardins.
• In January 2003, the Board organizes a seminar on the DCI project; on February 28, 2003, the decision is made to officially create DCI.

DCI couldn't come at a better time: Desjardins has now established a unified strategic management structure and a Desjardins signature, and is moving towards Group-wide strategic planning, while remaining committed to offering an unparalleled service to its members and clients.