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| Ben Rogers (standing) facilitates a breakout session during the Young Professionals track at the NCCUL Annual Meeting in Pinehurst. |
A group of North Carolina credit union young professionals (YPs) saw the opportunity to learn from, and network with, seasoned veterans by creating their own track at the N.C. Credit Union League’s (NCCUL’s) Annual Meeting in Pinehurst, N.C. from June 10-12.
Drawing 28 YPs from nine credit unions across the state, the Young Professionals track focused on how to cultivate ideas within the credit union, advocate for young adults in the workplace, and featured a special panel of credit union leaders who shared their experiences—good and bad.
The idea originally came from the League, which last year put on a one-day series of educational sessions for YPs. This year, they partnered with CUaware founders Patrick Livingston and Brandon McAdams to create a more expansive agenda. Founded in early 2011, CUaware is a group of Raleigh-Durham credit union employees who meet monthly to foster interaction with, and awareness of, the credit union movement.
“Brandon and I attended a Principles and Philosophy Conference in 2010 where we learned a lot about the history of credit unions and got to network with other people who work in the movement,” said Livingston, also the Director of Strategic Projects at Coastal Federal Credit Union. “Younger professionals yearn to be a part of causes that are bigger than themselves, and the credit union movement has a lot of things to offer.”
Outside of creating a track specifically geared toward them, the YPs had their own breakout session at the League’s Annual Meeting. Moderated by John Lass, SVP of Strategy and Business Development for CUNA Mutual, annual meeting attendees got the opportunity to hear from a panel of YPs on how toattract, engage and retain a younger membership and employee base.
The YPs were also allowed to attend the League’s general and breakout sessions, as well as dinners featuring presentations by Alison Levine, the team captain of the First American Women’s Everest Expedition, and NC Republican gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory.
“It's so easy to get caught up in what you're doing on a daily basis and it’s easy to miss the bigger picture,” said Danielle Brummitt, a Data Analyst at Local Government Federal Credit Union who attended the YP sessions. “You realize your impact more, and it reminds you that you can make a difference.”