Volunteering

What do volunteers do?

About People First Credit Union

People First Credit Union (PFCU) is a member owned credit union based on co-operative values. We have over 40,000 members across our common bond of Portlaoise, Athy, Abbeyleix, and Stradbally.

Credit unions are run by a mixture of volunteers and paid staff.
Directors are volunteers. Many committees can contain volunteers who are not directors but are happy to give some of their time to serving their community. It can also be a pathway to being nominated for Board membership.

The criteria for accepting volunteers are:
1. be financially sound
2. be honest, ethical and act with integrity
3. be competent and capable, including being able to give the necessary time commitment.

Main duties of our Board of Directors:

  • Set the CU’s strategic plan, review, and monitor implementation of plan.
  • Operate a comprehensive decision-making process.
  • Form committees in accordance with CU regulation.
  • Appointment of officers such as a manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of CU, a Risk Manager, a Compliance officer and members of the management team.
  • Ensure there is effective management team in place and succession plan.
  • Review of the CU’s risk management system.
  • Ensure compliance of all requirements imposed on CU.
  • Policy review and approval (at least every 3 years).
  • Review of financial statements and reporting of CU annual accounts at AGM.

Main duties of our Board Oversight Committee (BOC):

  • Ensure that the Board is fulfilling its statutory duties.
  • Report to the membership at each AGM.

Why should I volunteer?

  • Learn new skills
  • Develop new interests
  • Increase employability
  • Use professional skills
  • Increase self-confidence
  • To have a sense of purpose and achievement
  • To make a difference in your community
  • Build your network
  • You will be involved in decision-making with team of dedicated volunteers and will be responsible for directing the affairs of a local business.
  • The credit union provides targeted training programs that increases career prospects by adding a valuable achievement to your CV.

How do I become a volunteer?

All volunteers are subject to the normal fitness and probity regimes for credit unions as outlined by the Central Bank of Ireland.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please read our induction pack below for more information on what is involved.

The below questionnaire is required and will be reviewed by PFCU's nomination committee.

Director/Volunteer Induction Pack

Volunteer Questionnaire

You need to declare if your shares balance in PFCU is more than 25% of the credit union assets.

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