She sees herself as a facilitator and someone who, when involved in an organization, likes to “throw my hand and my mouth in” and participate in the decision making process.
Today’s WEDNESDAY WOMAN Juliet Best-Brathwaite, who has been the president of the Barbados Police Cooperative Credit Union Limited since June, sees herself as someone who assists wherever possible in getting things done.
“There are different types of directors and presidents. There are people who are very strong-willed and they go there to get what they want done at whatever cost. There are those who go to identify what needs to be done and assist wherever possible to get it done. I am that type of person,” she said.
Having played major roles in other organizations, she likes to keep her hands busy and had for some time prior to her presidency played a very active role on the board of the credit union.
As the first female president of the credit union in its 50-year existence, Best-Brathwaite sees her role as president as one which gives her the opportunity to serve.
“I love the feeling you get when you can assist people in times when they really need it, when you are appreciative of your efforts.”
As president, her duties include setting policies and guiding and facilitating the board through the various policies that govern the credit union. This she sees as a task that requires the input of all those the decisions may affect.
“I want to know the will of the majority before I exercise my right to vote, I need to hear from the people that I serve before I make major decisions”.
The Barbados Police Cooperative Credit Union Limited has a membership of over 1 100 persons, including members of the Royal Barbados Police Force, Barbados Defence Force, the Barbados Fire Service and their relatives.
Best-Brathwaite sees the need to serve people in the way they need it and identify what the credit union can do and specifically what it can do well and do it.
With this guiding principle, Best-Brathwaite proudly stated: “Times have been hard, but members are appreciating that we are doing what we can and they are pleased with what we have been doing.”
This ex-police officer who joined the credit union in 1982 before giving 17 years of service to the force feels a close connection to the organization and wants to see it succeed.
“My mandate for the credit union is getting it through these rough economic times, keeping our heads above the water and ensuring that the members are satisfied.”
Her aim is to ensure that for the remainder of the financial year which ends in March is to take stock of where the institution is going and to regroup to ensure it continue on a winning path.
“These are lean times for any financial institution have to be able to recognize what you can do and put your efforts behind achieving it rather than running hither, thither and yon trying to do everything and not accomplishing or achieving anything,” she said.
Best-Brathwaite believes her experience in the force and the training she received has equipped her to undertake the tasks she has set for herself.
She retired as a Station Sergeant from the Fraud Department, which is a section in the force’s Criminal Investigations Department. In that section she was responsible for fraud work and financial investigations.
She received extensive training in financial interrogation in Britain, the United States and Canada and also studied professional education in accounting.
While noting that there has never been a shortage of females in the top roles in the credit union, Best-Brathwaite believes her role could be a catalyst for other women to assume a similar position.
“I knew I had something to offer and thought I could take on the reins at this time in the development of the credit union. If persons have that leaning toward service and service at the highest level, they should go for it [and] not be timid and reserved. My role might be an encouragement to other women and may help others recognize that the women on the board and those in organizations are not just tokens but can make a valid contribution.”
