Plane Saver Credit Union holds its first-ever virtual Annual General Meeting

Tuesday 16 January 2024

Members of Plane Saver Credit Union learned how it has supported members throughout lockdown and heard about awards it had received and shortlisted for as part of its first ever virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) which took place in November 2020.

The AGM welcomed over 30 members and commenting on how staff made the virtual AGM a success, Plane Saver Credit Union’s Communications Manager, Rachel Downing said: “We started planning our AGM at the start of September 2020. Although there were some reservations about how members would react to a virtual AGM, we knew we had no choice but to start looking at online options to conduct it safely and in line with Government guidelines.

“We started by researching various platforms but, in the end, we settled on an upgraded Zoom package. Once the technology was in place, we set out organising our member voting forms and invitations which were all done digitally. There were considerations given to those members who may not have online access. I would recommend that anyone planning a virtual AGM has a ‘backup paper’ plan!”

During the meeting members heard highlights of the year, which included Plane Saver Credit Union’s success at the Consumer Credit Awards being awarded ‘Best Credit Union – South’. Commenting on the award, CEO of Plane Saver, Valerie Walwyn said: “Although the last few months have been challenging for staff and members alike, we are still here to serve and support our members. This is evident in our most recent numbers which confirm we have opened over 700 new member accounts during the lockdown period’.”

Plane Saver Credit Union was also a finalist for ‘Firm of the year’ and ‘Best Loan Provider for £2.5k and under’. Valerie added: “This is an amazing achievement but also confirmation that our members, feel we are making a real difference in their lives. Our passion is and always will be to provide great financial solutions and benefits.”

Responding to the economic impacts of the lockdown, in May, the Credit Union donated £5,000 to its charitable partner, Friends of Plane Saver Credit Union to enable it to support key charities providing essential services to communities across the country. “We know these organisations have all seen huge increases in demand for services from the communities they support, and we wanted to increase them to meet this by providing a charitable donation,” says Valerie.