Posting on the Boardcast has opened a virtual world for me. I have had access to credit union innovators and their work throughout the US and Canada. Last week I was invited to travel to Fishers, Indiana to Forum Credit Union Conference Center for the 2008 Partnership Symposium sponsorsed by Forum Solutions and Trabian. This gathering provided a spotlight on the web based technology that has become part of the credit union world.
One of the unique aspects of the forum was a moderated format. Ron Shevlin of Aite Group introduced each speaker and led a challenging question and answer period at the close of each talk. Ron is the consummate professional. He is well read and insightful and he encouraged a dialogue that provided speakers with an opportunity to go deeper into their content. Each presenter provided their own unique vision of credit union innovations. I'd like to share two of them with UFirst members.
Recognizing and encouraging the leadership potential of young credit union members was a theme that ran through many of the presentations. Tim McCalpine of Currency Marketing gave attendees an update on the Young & Free marketing initiative his company launched for Commonweatlh Credit Union in Alberta last year. The work of Larissa Walkiw has been featured on the Boardcast in the past. Larissa's year at Commonwealth is coming to an end and they have started their search for a new spokesperson. Tim has also brought Young & Free to Texas. There are 11 Gen Y candidates vying for the spokesperson position at Texas Dow Employees Credit Union. Video entries for this coveted position can be viewed here.
The Credit Union National Association Alliance Committee developed 7 cooperative principles which provide a philosophical foundation for credit unions. Principle # 7 highlights the responsibility credit unions have in showing concern for communities. This social focus was the centerpiece of a presentation by William Azaroff on the work of Vancity Credit Union in Vancouver BC. Vancity's values become clear in a quote used at the start of his talk, "We make a profit because we do good things. We don't just do good things to make a profit." William went on to describe the website, Change Everything.ca, which he and his staff at Vancity have developed. This site has become the focal point for change in the city of Vancouver. William described how Vancity has gathered a community of people together through this site who are focused on changing their local community for the good. The social action represented on Change Everything ranges from help for people in need to intelligent and prudent use of resources. As Ron Shevlin said on his blog, " Vancity's story is compelling and inspiring."
The 2008 Partnership Symposium provided me with a wonderful opportunity to meet credit union professionals whose dedication and spirit of innovation are making credit unions shine in the world of financial institutions. I'd like to thank Forum Solutions and Trabian for inviting me to attend this conference. The quality of the speakers and the opportunity to meet with these professionals made the trip to Indiana valuable indeed.

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