MYCUP Recap 11

The Minnesota Young Credit Union Professionals (MYCUP) met on Nov. 16 in Bloomington. This meeting, attended by 26 individuals, covered “Leadership Development & Credit Unions.” The program’s five speakers delved into the subject of leadership – how leaders are defined and how one develops into that role. Specifically, speakers discussed CUNA Management School, involvement in a Chapter Board, the National Youth Involvement Board, and community groups such as a Chamber of Commerce.

Peg Peck-Chapman kicked off the program portion of the meeting, providing an overview of leadership and the qualities of an effective leader.

To prepare to move into the future, Peck-Chapman recommended hitting the library to find information. She mentioned two books – The Power of Purpose: Creating Meaning in your Life & Work by Richard Leider and Authentic Leadership: Courage in Action by Robert Terry – as a good starting point. Peck-Chapman also suggested checking with your local community college for leadership courses and available opportunities.

Peck-Chapman gave several tips to the young professionals in attendance:

Lead by example through character and ethics
Have the four Ps – persistence, perseverance, passion and purpose
Articulate your purpose
Discover your purpose by writing down your goals

She recommended that young professionals take “stretch assignments,” when bosses give you the opportunity to take on extra duties while maintaining your current position. Take advantage of these times to really show what you can accomplish and achieve.

Peck-Chapman has extensive background in the areas of coaching and leadership, with more than 20 years of strategic planning, vision and mission development, leadership development, team building, executive coaching, and more. She has consulted with industries in manufacturing, government, Fortune 100 organizations, small businesses, service firms, law firms, education systems, and nonprofit organizations. Peck-Chapman has also taught several graduate courses in Human Resource Development at the University of Minnesota and Mankato State University, and is currently a doctoral student in Human Resource Development.

Handouts include:

Marty Kelly, Vice President of Marketing & Business Development for US Federal Credit Union, spoke to the group about CUNA Management School, a three-year management training program. As the credit union Movement’s longest-running high-level education program, CUNA Management School is an intensive program that helps attendees understand and learn to implement successful principles that makes more dynamic and effective managers and leaders.

Another benefit of attending this training, Kelly said, is the intense networking opportunities available, meeting credit union professionals from around the country. He said Management School assists students in developing their own leadership style and is a forum for sharing ideas, failures and successes. He talked about the program’s testing and project requirements, adding that they were the most valuable part of the experience.

Kelly is a 1999 CUNA Management School graudate, attending the program from 1997-1999. He has worked at US Federal for 3 ½ years and in the credit union Movement for 15 years, spending a bulk of his time at Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union in Brainerd. Kelly is a Certified Credit Union Executive (CCUE), Chairman of the Minnesota Network Advertising Program, member of the Credit Unions for Kids committee and a former chairman of the Family Involvement Council. He has earned a multitude of awards throughout his career, including countless CUES Golden Mirror Awards and CUNA Diamond Awards, which recognize excellence in marketing.

Information about the 2007 CUNA Management School is not yet available online. With immediate questions, please contact CUNA’s program coordinator Angela Prestil at aprestil@cuna.coop or (800) 356-9655.

Kelly Fulford is the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of General Mills Federal Credit Union in Minnetonka, where she manages Branch Operations, Training, Business Development and Marketing areas. She was hired as General Mills’ Marketing VP 3 ½ years ago, and spent the 15 years prior at a bank. Fulford has a Master’s degree in Organizational Management and Communications.

Fulford was invited to the November MYCUP meeting to speak about her involvement within her Chapter Board. Chapters are an important part of the credit union system, dividing the state geographically into sections. Fulford has been involved with the Archer Doig Chapter Board for two years, and currently serves as the Chapter Secretary. She encouraged chapter involvement as a way to network and pull individuals together as a Movement.

To inquire about getting involved in your area Chapter, contact the Chapter President. For assistance in determining members of your Chapter’s Board, please contact Kristina Wright at the Network office at kwright@mncun.org or (651) 288-5170.

LeAnn Achtenberg is the Assistant Vice President of Marketing for Anoka Hennepin Credit Union. She discussed the National Youth Involvement Board (NYIB) and the opportunities that NYIB has provided. Achtenberg served on the NYIB’s executive committee for six years, including a two-year stint as Chairman.

The National Youth Involvement Board was created in 1972 to become the national organization for disseminating information and resources regarding youth participation in the credit union Movement. Credit union leaders recognized the need to reach out to young people to ensure the future of the movement. Today, the NYIB continues to contribute to the future of credit unions by promoting financial literacy, youth services and leadership development.

Achtenberg first discovered the organization when attending the NYIB’s annual conference and was immediately inspired by the energy and enthusiasm displayed by other attendees. Through her years of involvement, she was able to serve as the spokesperson for this national organization, participate in strategic planning, learn the finer points of diplomacy, speak at national conferences, improve her organizational skills, and learn how to motivate others.

Achtenberg has been with Anoka Hennepin for one year and has worked in the credit union Movement for 10 years. Throughout her career, she has been with the North Dakota and Kansas Leagues in the areas of marketing, advertising, and consulting, has been a national speaker on the topics of youth education, marketing opportunities, and leadership. She was named NYIB Volunteer of the Year in 1999 and was designated a Credit Union Development Educator in 2005.

Additional information about NYIB can be found online at www.nyib.org. The NYIB’s annual conference will be held July 31-Aug. 3, 2007, in San Antonio, Texas.

Karina Higareda of Anoka Hennepin Credit Union spoke on involvement in her local Chamber of Commerce. Higareda is currently the chair of the Ambassador Committee for the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce, where she has served for the past three years. She also is serving as Council Member on the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities “Community Action Diversity Committee” as well as secretary for Anoka Ramsey Community College’s “Advisory Committee.”

Over the years, Higareda has received numerous awards and acknowledgments, including being named in 2005 as one of the “25 Latinos on the Rise Under 40” by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She was also the most successful team leader in the MetroNorth Chambers’ Membership Drive in 2006.

Higareda kicked off her segment by thanking and congratulating all in attendance at the MYCUP meeting. She praised them for taking the initiative to become leaders, and encouraged them to push themselves to do more in the coming year.

While she is no stranger to the credit union Movement, Higareda is still fairly new to Minnesota, moving here four years ago. Throughout her career, she has worked in all areas of the credit union, saying that she realized at an early age that credit unions were “the place to be.”

Upon moving to Minnesota, Higareda said that she let her passion drive her to meet others within the community, which led to her active involvement in the MetroNorth and the Anoka Area Chambers. She saw the benefit of participating in a group that allowed her to become a key player in the community while benefiting the credit union at the same time.

She encouraged attendees to check into their local Chambers of Commerce and possibly becoming part of their Ambassador Programs.

For a directory of Chambers of Commerce in Minnesota, visit www.2chambers.com/minnesot2.htm. You may also visit the Minnesota State Chamber of Commerce at www.mnchamber.com.

The following credit unions participated in the November MYCUP gathering:

Affinity Plus FCU (2) REAL Financial CU (1)

Anoka Hennepin CU (3) SMW FCU (2)

Capital Trust FCU (2) Twin City Co-ops FCU (2)

Central Minnesota FCU (1) US Federal CU (3)

City & County CU (3) MnCUN (1)

General Mills FCU (2)