20th Desjardins Group Congress

The 20th Desjardins Group Congress of Elected Officers, held on November 27, 28 and 29, 2009, was a definite success. More than 1,700 participants, including some 1,200 delegates representing caisse members, came together in Québec City under the theme Cooperate to shape our destiny to discuss the orientations that Desjardins should take to remain a leader in a changing world.

Delegates discussed three major themes to propel Desjardins into the future: Desjardins-wide focus and action, Desjardins Group ambitions for development and Desjardins Group performance and financial strength.

The opening of the 20th Congress of Desjardins Group’s history was a highly moving event. Participants were brought back to the pivotal moments of this history. It was also an occasion for honouring its builders.

A builder from the very start, 99-year-old Rosario Tremblay has taken part in all of Desjardins Group's congresses, and he didn't make an exception for this one. He proudly shared his long experience as a cooperator, bearing testimony to Desjardins Group's ongoing development and the undeniable leadership of its elected officers.

Appropriately for Desjardins, the opening night of the 20th Congress had plenty of modern elements as well.

The prime minister of Canada, Mr. Stephen Harper, as well as Mr. Jean Charest, premier of Québec, appeared virtually to greet caisse officers and underscore the importance of Desjardins in the economic development of Québec and of Canada.

Several personalities from the world of cooperation also attended the event. Present at the Congress were representatives from the Group Crédit mutuel de France, the Conseil québécois de la coopération et de la mutualité, the Conseil canadien de la coopération et de la mutualité, the Fédération des caisses populaires acadiennes and Credit Union Central of Canada.

A researcher at the University of Hawaii and the Mingan Island Research Station, Jean Lemire has acquired considerable knowledge of whales and participated in international research projects.

Jean Lemire, biologist and film maker, made his dreams reality. He told about his last expedition on Sedna IV as leader of the Antarctica mission. He highlighted the importance of cooperation, expressing his conviction that a team is stronger than a single person and that solidarity can help navigate through strong winds and tides.

Like a tree that has been growing for almost 110 years, Desjardins Group has weathered many seasons. It has adapted to the world around it and continues growing, solidly rooted and bearing hope. Ms. Monique F. Leroux, Chair of the Board, President and CEO of Desjardins Group drew on this image of a tree to encourage participants to continue developing this financial institution built by boldness, vision and perseverance.

"We are here to continue making Desjardins Group grow, like those who came before us," said Ms. Leroux. "Our duty is to shape the destiny of our institution and think of future generations. We need to give them a Desjardins Group that is even stronger than it is now.”

The inspiring Julie Payette is an extraordinary example of someone who has met many challenges. A multilingual electric and computer engineer, she has received several honours and distinctions. Ms. Payette stands apart in an innovative field, and her career is anything but ordinary.

Following a very warm welcome, Ms. Payette, astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency, made an interesting comparison. Noting the openness and innovative spirit of Desjardins elected officers, Ms. Payette believes that today's leaders, like pilots, need to demonstrate vision and adaptability to move organizations forward in a world of never-ending change.

Delegates symbolically placed their dreams on the tree of hope to take Desjardins Group even higher and even further.

Participants' wishes for the future and for cooperation

"Cooperation means believing in others and giving them your trust.”
Michel Carrier

"A solid financial institution that can adapt to the new diversity of Québec society that grows with its members by adapting to their needs through innovation."
Marie-Ève Bone

"Leave the next generation a cooperative and environmental heritage and our desire to build and innovate."
Normand De Montigny

Members representing various clienteles were able to live the experience of a Desjardins congress. As part of pilot groups, they expressed their expectations of their financial institution, thus contributing to the reflection process on the development of the caisses and of Desjardins.

Organizational strategy specialist with McKinsey and Co., Mr. Bruce Simpson shared some of his extensive experience with businesses all over the world.

"Together we can shape the destiny of Desjardins Group, strong in its cooperative values and more than ever moving towards a more responsible, equitable and sustainable world. A Desjardins that thinks and acts for the long term."

Monique F. Leroux, Chair of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Desjardins Group

The theme song, written for this 20th Congress, was performed by the virtuoso Alexandre da Costa and about 200 volunteer singers from the Québec City area, who were joined by Desjardins Group employees and elected officers.