Efforts of ABCUL Inclusivity Group Highlighted on Global Credit Union Podcast

Friday 16 February 2024

Ruksana Kauser, a Member Services Advisor at Calderdale Credit Union and Committee member of ABCUL’s Inclusivity Group (AIG), discussed the crucial role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in a recent appearance on the World Council of Credit Union’s podcast.

As well as Ruksana’s contribution to the AIG, Ruksana is also an active member of the GB Chapter of the Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) and previously served as Vice-Chair of ABCUL’s Young Professionals Network (YPN).

Greg asked about Ruksana’s experience as a Muslim woman in the sector and Ruksana proudly shared her mostly positive experience by stating :“I don’t see being a Muslim as a barrier. I never have. It’s nice to be approachable, and if my job helps somebody else, maybe come into the credit union space and work for a credit union and then move on within the sector. I think that’s the job well done”.

The interview covered the importance of the AIG and Ruksana stated that although more work is needed, the AIG’s aim to create a more diverse ABCUL Board has seen some recent progress. When an absence of applicants left a Board seat opened to all for a one-year co-option it attracted an unprecedented number of quality applicants with wide diversity. Ruksana said the AIG has worked hard to address barriers and for prospective applicants and the interest generated for the co-option seat is “a bit of an eye opener to say maybe there’s still a barrier there and what can we do to remove that?”.

To address this, Ruksana highlighted that the ABCUL Board Structure Review Group which had significant input from the AIG has made recommendations which have been put as Motions for members to vote on. “Hopefully at this year’s AGM, the votes will pass and we’ll be able to see more positions available for people to apply for” said Ruksana. ABCUL members can learn more about the motions at an upcoming meeting on Thursday 22 February.

Wrapping up, Ruksana shared her mantra to “Just say yes and worry about everything else later” which has encouraged her grasp opportunities she may not have been confident enough to take a couple of years ago. Encouraging other women and those from minority ethnic backgrounds to do the same, she said: “If I hadn’t said yes [to this podcast] this would have been another opportunity missed to put my voice out there and speak to people and build a connection”.

Listen to the full podcast here.