WCUL Volunteers Conference - Thoughts From Attendees

The 2010 Washington Credit Union League's Volunteers Conference was jam packed with great speakers and awesome opportunities to share ideas. The CU Grow team was at the WCUL's Volunteer Conference and Aaron Mireles (on twitter: @ACM1985) asked attendees to express their thoughts and views on credit union's community involvement, memorable experiences, and the future of the industry. View the clip below to hear some of their amazing stories. Leave us a comment and share with us your thoughts on how credit unions have evolved and emerged.

WCUL Volunteers Conference - Tim Harrington Chat

The 2010 Washington Credit Union League's Volunteers Conference was held at the Skamania Lodge in scenic Stevenson, Washington. CPA & President of T.E.A.M. Resources Tim Harrington led a social media session at this years conference in which he discussed specific strategies credit unions can use to make to most of the social media networks. Watch this video to see Tim Harrington take a moment to chat with PTP founder and blogger James Robert Lay (on twitter: @jrwlay) about key take aways from his fantastic session. Give us a shout back and let us know what you think!

WCUL Volunteers Conference: Day 1 Recap

Scope out the video below to see Aaron Mireles of the PTP team (on twitter: @ACM1985) give a recap of day 1 at the Washington Credit Union League's Volunteer Conference at the Skamania Lodge in picturesque Stevenson, Washington. Speakers offering their perspective include President & CEO of the WCUL John Annaloro, Principle Partner of Dollar Associates Dennis Dollar, CPA & President of T.E.A.M. Resources Tim Harrington, and PTP founder and blogger James Robert Lay (on twitter: @jrwlay). Leave us a comment and share with us your ideas about the credit union industry.

Vote Denise Gabel for Oprah's "Your Own Show"

Watch, vote and share your support for Denise Gabel. As an agent of change, Denise wants to know what makes a business unique? Where are they going? And how can she help? Why not help small businesses grow? Why not lend them a hand? 

Click here to watch the video as it could not be embedded.

Denise R. Gabel is the Chief Innovation Officer at the Filene Research Institute, an academic based, consumer finance think and do tank located in Madison, Wisconsin.

A recognized innovation catalyst and in-demand speaker, Denise has been interviewed widely from National Public Radio to the Wall Street Journal. She authored the Filene Research Institute’s Key Findings: Innovation Through Collaboration, annual publication Key Findings: Blueprints for Innovation, and Reimagining the Dream: The Future of Home Ownership.

Show some credit union love and vote for Denise.

WCUL Volunteers Conference - John Annaloro Chat

John Annaloro, President and CEO of the Washington Credit Union League took a moment to chat with Aaron Mireles (on twitter: @ACM1985) from the PTP team about what to expect at this years Volunteers Conference. This years WCUL Volunteers Conference took place at the incredible Skamania Lodge in beautiful Stevenson, Washington and focuses on the timely, significant challenges facing the financial services industry, including an economic outlook, regulatory advocacy and factors driving credit union change. Check out the video below and share with us your thoughts on the challenges that credit unions are facing.

Bright Lights & Shining Stars – Finding Encouragement by Taking Time to Reach Out and Getting to Know Each Other

It all started when I was working on the 2010 Marketing & Business Development Conference. Greg Cangialosi, CEO of Blue Sky Factory is the closing keynote speaker. I came across a series of questions in the “about us – our team section”. Taking lead from Blue Sky, I recently posted a mix of fun and professional questions for Southwest CUNA Management School first year students, in their online class group site, to help “break the ice” before they arrive on campus. You know the kinds of questions:

• What’s your favorite _______?
• What would you do if you could _______?
• Name your top 3 favorite _______?
• Where would you like to __________?

The list goes on. From time to time someone will post a list on Facebook or send an email to see if you’re willing to play along. They may seem silly or even a waste of time. Yet for those who choose to play along, insights are gained and relationships start to form or strengthen. A benefit I did not expect, was finding breaths of fresh air and encouragement.

When asked “what is your favorite thing about working at a credit union?” answers included:

• I love that we are empowered to help people without all of the hindrances everyone faces at a bank.
• “People helping people" is what it's all about!
• I like being able to help people, especially when we can help someone that no one else will even talk to.
• It's a REAL, honest to goodness, not-for-greed credit union.
• Helping my members.
• Building relationships and making dreams come true for members!
• Helping members get out of dept, permanently.
• Giving atmosphere.

The final item was a request to “give one valuable piece of advice to credit union professionals”:

• All of your past experiences and education are worthless if you feel they are your qualifying factor. Use them to make the rubber meet the road and move forward.
• Get in the game and never, never stop learning!
• Set high standards for yourself and work hard to meet them.
• Don't lose sight of our purpose (what makes us better). This, for me, takes a lot of practice and swallowing of pride, but: my most valuable tool has become examining what I think I want and why, my motivations, my actions and the outcomes. This exercise is applied to ALL aspects of my life). A great (important!) question is "how will this affect the people (family, friends, co-workers) around me?" I must admit, it's not always been "pretty".
• Ask for help from the credit union people around you and give it back. COOPERATE and COLLABARATE. It is the single best way to get done all the things you have to accomplish.
• Keep a good balance between "best for the credit union" and "best for the member".
• Work is just a small portion of your life- it is a means to an end (Retirement)". Keep God first, Family second, and Work last in your life.
• Be a servant with a servant’s heart – serve those who report to you, don’t make them serve you.

And yes, I did ask about favorite movies, flavor of ice cream, where’d they like to go other than Fort Worth in July with 100 degree temperatures, and more. I can’t wait to get to know this group of credit union professionals better!

A special thank you shout out goes to the SCMS Class of 2011 for setting the Class of 2012 group site up before they even arrive on campus!

Why do you like to work where you do? What advice would you give?

Your Brand Speaks Volumes – Who Does It Say That You Are?

Marketing To Do List:

☑ Update logo
☑ New, slick, promotional pieces
☑ Marketing campaign approved and ready to launch

But wait, there’s more. When it comes to branding and image, ask yourself:

• Does the campaign support your credit union vision? Mission?
• Is your message consistent?
• Will your member experience match your message?
• Have you let your credit union staff know about you’re about to launch?
• Are the employees trained on the essential skills? Up to date on the featured product or service?

Branding goes well beyond marketing. As Mark Arnold passionately puts it, “branding is more than just changing a few brochures or the look of a newsletter. Much more. A true comprehensive branding program takes years to develop and impacts the entire organization. Your credit union doesn’t just “do” branding one year and mark it off its “to do” list. Your credit union must “live” the brand every day.”

Mark Arnold is teaching a full day course this summer at Southwest CUNA Management School on Advanced Branding. Limited seats available to help you further explore and expand your knowledge about branding.

Building a Lasting Brand: Advanced Branding for Credit Unions
Mark Arnold, CCUE July 20 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Mark speaks from first-hand experience when he covers:

• Maintaining Brand Consistency
• Lovemarks & Emotional Branding
• Gaining Staff Buy-In
• Brand Leadership in the 21st Century

Having led his credit union through a name change and ongoing branding efforts, Mark provides practical information on what to and not to do with your credit union’s brand.

If you’re looking to develop your team or enhance your skills, plan to spend July 20 (8:30 am - 4:30 pm) on the TCU campus (Lupton-Brown University Union) with Mark and the SCMS Class of 2011. Limited seating available on a day rate. For more details, visit www.scms.coop or contact Janine McBee, SCMS Synergist & Director.

You do not have to be an alumnus or have a student currently enrolled to take advantage of the opportunity to attend individual classes.

Be Strategic About Social Media: Find Your People, Join the Conversation

Social media, however you define it, is a changing environment. Regardless of what you call it, think about it, or the tools you use, it’s out there. And yes, the tools change. It’s not about the tools. It is about the people, relationships, value, authenticity, and conversation. It’s about growing your business and serving your community.

Make a strategic decision.

• If customers/members and potential customers/members are having a conversation which relates to your products and services, it’s in your best interest to be part of the conversation. Find out where the conversations are occurring. If they are at the local business club monthly meeting, show up. If they are on Facebook or Twitter, listen, share, and interact.
• If they are not talking about your credit union, products, or services online, no worries. Or not? Have you provided products and services worth bragging about? Has your competitor? Have your service levels slipped? Your products fallen behind the times? Do you want to know what people think? Look, listen, and learn. Be strategic about whether or not social media makes sense for your credit union and market.

If you make the strategic decision to incorporate social media into your marketing and business development plan, be strategic about what you do.

• Don’t set up a credit union Facebook page just because someone else did.
• Twitter is not a 140 character commercial. It’s a place to help people find connections, learn about cool stuff/resources, and know more about your credit union and what you have to offer. Select the tool or tools best suited for your team and your members.

Southwest CUNA Management School has two courses this summer with limited seats available to help you further explore and expand your knowledge about social media.

Social Media I: Getting Acquainted
Dr. George Low - Texas Christian University (TCU)
July 20 (1-4:30 pm) with 1st Year Students

Social-networking websites such as MySpace, Facebook, and LinkedIn have seen unprecedented growth in recent years. Consumers are creating their own content on blogs, YouTube, and are rating products and services on message boards and other sites, presenting unique challenges and opportunities for marketers to use these social media to communicate with current and potential customers, and to build lasting relationships with them. The objective of this course is to give students valuable knowledge and skills needed to take advantage of these powerful social marketing tools. Teaching/learning methods will include class discussions of current trends and issues, mini case studies, and the sharing of experiences, ideas, and best practices in using social media as part of a broader strategic, integrated, marketing communications effort in the credit union industry.

Social Media: Let’s Get Strategic
Amanda Vega – Amanda Vega Consulting
July 19 (1-4:30 pm) with 2nd Year Students

You’ve heard about social media, have been dabbling on your own, or have incorporated elements of social media at the credit union. How do you advance to the next level? It’s time to get strategic with Amanda Vega, Amanda Vega Consulting. In this open discussion that is part information and part hands-on learning, plan to explore and discuss:

• What are the challenges and successes associated with social media in the credit union industry and who ultimately owns it?
• Advanced uses and tools in social media to help you get to the next level (comment marketing anyone?).
• The executive team isn’t buying into this marketing activity or simply doesn’t “get it.” – now what? How to and ensure buy-in from the decision makers
• New research on tracking, monetization and the like (a Facebook fan is worth more than $138) and the new tools that are out there to help quantify these efforts.
• Social media compliance, regulation, and policy tips
• Taking your social media to the next level, communication as a whole, arming you with real information and engagement suggestions.

If you’re looking to develop your team or enhance your skills, plan to join us on the TCU campus (Lupton-Brown University Union). Limited seating available on a day rate. For more details, visit www.scms.coop or contact Janine McBee, SCMS Synergist & Director.

Credit Union Lending Trends, Challenges & Innovations

It’s tough out there!

“Overall loan demand softened during the reporting period. There is more commercial and industrial loan activity in the pipeline but consumer loan demand outside of credit cards remains sluggish. Contacts report that they are turning down many potential mortgage borrowers due to poor credit. Credit standards remain tight and loan pricing is unchanged. Some contacts reported an increased inflow of deposits, which they attributed to the unease arising from recent stock market volatility. Although contacts are relieved that the Federal Reserve will retain regulatory oversight over state member banks, there continues to be concern regarding other impending regulation changes. The outlook is slightly optimistic with some concern about the impact of the Greek credit crisis.”
Source: The Beige Book, Federal Reserve Districts, Eleventh District – Dallas, June 9, 2010

According to CUNA’s 2010-2011 E-scan, “Credit union members demonstrated little appetite for additional debt in 2009, resulting in a meager 1% rise in credit union loan balances – the smallest gain since 1943.” Loans are out there for the financial service providers who are positioned to capture the business. Are you and your team on top of lending trends? Is your credit union ready and positioned to put new loans on the books? Have you considered various scenarios and mapped out plans to position forward? On July 14, Larry Biernacki, President & CEO, Arkansas FCU, will share with Southwest CUNA Management School students and guests from his extensive lending background, discussing such areas as:

• What’s Going on in Lending Land?
• Challenges in Current Rate Environment
  • Production Concerns
  • Margin Issues
  • What If/Can You Run Out of Money?

Strategic Products for Building & Deepening Member Relationships

Manufactured Housing

If you’re looking to develop your team or enhance your skills, plan to spend July 14 (1:00 pm – 4:30 pm) on the TCU campus (Lupton-Brown University Union) with Larry and the SCMS Class of 2011. Limited seating available on a day rate. For more details, visit www.scms.coop or contact Janine McBee, SCMS Synergist & Director.

Credit Unions: Evolve and Emerge - Live in Washington!

The CU Grow team is in Stevenson, Washington for the Washington Credit Union League's Volunteer Conference.  We have some great sessions lined up over the next day and will be tweeting the sessions as always so feel free to shout out and get involved.

Just following along with James Robert, Jonathan, Aaron and Mandy.

In the meantime, you can watch the quick hello and video update.