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| 28 young professionals from across North Carolina converged on Pinehurst for the NC Credit Union League Annual Meeting. |
A group of young credit union professionals gathered in Pinehurst during the NCCUL Annual Meeting as part of the Young Professionals Track. The group of 28 credit union staff had the opportunity to network and see the diverse career opportunities that working in the credit union movement offers.
More fundamentally, the sessions zeroed in on how young professionals can successfully share their ideas and get them implemented at their credit union. Ben Rogers, the Filene Research Institute's Research Director, facilitated the interactive series of sessions.
"The League feels strongly that developing young professional talent should be a priority for credit unions," said NCCUL President/CEO John Radebaugh. "The Young Professional track at Annual Meeting is one way that we can help engage young people, give them an important networking opportunity, and truly get them excited about credit unions."
The young professional group spent a full day Monday learning from industry leaders like Rogers and CUNA Mutual Group's John Lass. They also got some career pointers from credit union leaders in NC, including Genice DeCorte (Greensboro Health Care CU), Lori Thompson (Premier FCU), Ray Crouse (Allegacy FCU), Thomas Heyden (CUNA Mutual Group) and Eric Gelly (NCCUL). Lauren Whaley (NCCUL) facilitated the panel discussion.
"There's real value in hearing from folks who have walked the same path before you," said Whaley, "and I think the panel discussion helped the group see the range of terrific career opportunities they can pursue in credit unions."
"It's so easy to get caught up in what you're doing on a daily basis," said Danielle Brummitt, who attended the Young Professional sessions. "It's easy to miss the bigger picture." Brummitt, who is a Data Analyst at Local Government FCU, added that meeting other young professionals gave her a new perspective on working cooperatively. "You realize your impact more, and it reminds you that you can make a difference."
Rogers, who is himself part of the under 35 set, also led the group on an engaging session aimed at helping young professionals successfully implement their ideas back home. The young professionals also heard from Brandon McAdams and Patrick Livingston (Coastal FCU), who started the CUAware networking group in the Triangle last year.
Beyond the learning events, the young professionals also had the opportunity to socialize with the larger Annual Meeting group as well as among themselves. "Your path to success certainly requires help along the way," said Whaley "and hopefully some important contacts were made that will impact these young professionals for many years to come."