I was fortunate to participate in two incredible Crash events in 2011.  In May, it was Crash Michigan.  Come summer, Amanda Thomas, Matt Vance and I competed in the Collider Innovation Tournament as Team BAM.  The spark created via these two events fueled my desire to develop similar opportunities for young professionals at my credit union.

The outcome has been nothing short of spectacular.

First, a Gen Y Advisory Panel was formed consisting of 12 employees from across all business units.  The panel serves as an on-going innovation resource and sounding board for our credit union’s Gen Y targeted products, services and marketing campaigns.

That led to a Collider inspired innovation tournament in which the twelve participants competed in four teams of three.   Final pitches were made in-person to a three person panel of LMCU Senior Management level employees.  As a result, we’re pursuing new products in 2012 including a new spending account and social media initiatives customized for Gen Y consumer’s specific likes and needs.

Most recently, LMCU approved chartering an employer sponsored Toastmasters Club set to officially launch March 6, 2012.  Of the club’s seven officers, five are Gen Y so not only will this be an opportunity for LMCU’s Gen Y employees to develop their presentation and public speaking skills but also their leadership skills as well.

Championing these causes has been a fun, challenging and rewarding experience.  Thinking back 12-18 months, I’ve always had the passion to make something along these lines happen.  But, it wasn’t until my Crash experiences that workable concepts came into focus.  Many thanks to Filene, Brent, Theresa, the Michigan Credit Union League and all the fellow Crashers – “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”  -Margaret Mead

Tomorrow is my 33rd birthday. 

While I love celebrating my birthday with my wife and kids, the day that I blow out my 36 candles will mark the end of my participation in the Servus Young Leaders Network. While I will always be available to our future successors in the form of mentorship, my direct involvement in the leadership and guidance will cease.

I could easily take this blog in the direction of sadness and that of letting go for the greater good of the Network, but this is no such column. It’s about having a vision and getting it done before my time is up. To help stay on track, I bought myself a new daily planner for myself with the encryption “Things I want to do before I die.” While this sounds very morbid, it’s not about the end, it’s about the things I want to do before I hit……..36.

So here it is, my Servus Young Leaders Network bucket list: 

• Much like The Cooperative Trust’s (Crash Network) Collider Project, I would love to see us open up the creative genius of our young leaders to bring new innovations to Servus, our members, our communitites, and the credit union system. Bill Clancy of Lake Michigan Credit Union (and my partner in 2CUGuys blog) has spear headed this within his own credit union and I hope to colloborate with him to bring it to the SYLN.
• During the cooperative principle and credit union discussion/debate at our 35 Under 35 Leadership Retreat, it was obvious that we have an opportunity to increase the knowledge of our young leaders in these two areas. I would like to see the Servus Young Leaders Network collaborate with our human resources department to introduce increased onboarding covering these topics. A lot of research has gone into what Gen Y employees are looking for, and if we can increase their knowledge of the social benefit of being a credit union, it will increase the attraction and retention of employees for years to come. 
• Create a foundation for kids. Helping kids has always been near and dear to my heart, and as you know, I have three of my own. I have loved my experiences in coaching minor hockey, teaching Junior Achievement, and helping kids learn how to read at local schools. I have been inspired by the young leaders involved with the Credit Unions for Kids and their contributions to local hospitals.  I know this goal will be tough to reach, but the impact we could create could change lives forever. And that is what makes all the difference.

On my 36th birthday, I hope that I can blow out those candles and celebrate the completion of my Servus Young Leaders Network bucket list.

So, yeah, a song about a plastic cup has more than 10M views on YouTube, gets covered on Glee only a month after its release, peaked at #15 on the Billboard Top 15, and was been listed on iTunes Top 100 since it’s release.

And that, my friends, might be the best example ever of taking something old and making it new.

As Credit Unions, are we paying attention?  We better be.  The fact is that Banking has become a commodity in the eyes of consumers.  For-profits banks are public enemy #1 right now, and yet, Bank Transfer Day was barely felt (yeah, yeah, lots of talk leading up to it but the results speak for themselves).  So where do we go from here?

Randolph-Brooks FCU (https://www.rbfcu.org/) & A+ FCU (https://aplusfcu.org/) found their Red Solo Cup via Rewards Checking Accounts that pay members for every debit purchase made.

Lake Trust CU in Michigan blazes the trail in how to do social media and member education right at http://blog.laketrust.org/

BECU rolled out a 12-year no closing cost mortgage for home-owners that could benefit from today’s historically low rates but views the closing costs as a con outweighing the pros: http://www.becu.org/12-year-mortgage.aspx

None of the examples above are truly disruptive innovations.  Rather, they’re prime examples of taking something old and making it new again.

Collectively, Credit Unions hold just 6% market share.  Yes, the banks are down now but as we saw with BP, it’s only a matter of time before someone else takes the position of “America’s Most Disliked” organization/industry.  So find something old and make it new again.  Just ask Google, McDonalds, Microsoft or Apple — it’s not about doing it first.  It’s about doing it best.

The addition of our 3 new executive committee members has brought a new set of experiences, knowledge, and skill sets to our network.  Specifically the addition of Kirk Nielsen has provided additional support to Robert Christiansen’s online presence committee.  Based on feedback we received from SYLN members, they have constructed a crisper and cleaner look to the online site.  Members felt there was too much information on the main page, so Robert and Kirk have made sure the focus stays on any current programming.  For this month, we would like to receive feedback on our new look. 

 We have also just completed the SYLN National Scholarshp program, and I am very excited to congratulate Kirk Nielsen, yep, the same Kirk as mentioned above, as our winner.  Kirk will now represent Servus Credit Union in the Credit Union Central of Canada’s National Young Leader Award where 5 finalists across the Canadian Credit Union System will be selected to compete for a $10,000.00 scholarship. 

This year we had exceptional applicants, however, we only had 4.  Servus Credit Union has roughly 800 employees 35 and under.  While we aren’t looking for quantity over quanlity, we do want to ensure ALL of our outstanding young leaders are applying.  I can ensure you that we have more than just 4.  Some of our struggles comes to timing.  Our program annoucement coincides with our corporate year end.  Between performance of the past year and preperations for the upcoming, the scholarship is not always a priority for our young leaders.  This is something we hope to change by making our young leaders more aware of the scholarship.  While we can’t release until after the Credit Union Central of Canada’s National Young Leader award annoucement, most of the main requirements has stayed the same over the past decade allowing for reminders through email, postings on the SYLN Online site, as well as at the 35 Under 35 Leadership Retreat.  At our next face to face meeting, the Executive Committee plans to meet with our executive sponsor to discuss areas where we can increase the awareness of this important program. 

The Servus Young Leaders Network has also opened up an account on Twitter.  Be sure to watch for us at ServusCU_YLN.

Finally, this past week, we were humbled to be asked to kick off the CUES NextGen Webinar Series.  The presentation included the SYLN history, details on our programming, as well as our future plans. 

It was my first time presenting through a webinar and it was pretty tough.  As someone that builds energy from the reactions of the crowd, I wasn’t really sure if I was connecting with the audience.  I definately enjoyed the experience and thank CUES for the opportunity.      

Through the 2012 year, we will celebrate the international year of cooperatives.  I have a feeling that it is also going to be the year of young leader development throughout the credit union movement. 

 Devin

Ok, so that might mean that I will lose my man card for an extended period of time, but hey, when you don’t have control of the remote in your household from time to time, you accept that special someone’s choice in entertainment. As with most episodes of Glee, they ended the show with a rousing message through their music, but this time, the song selection, and specifically, these lyrics, struck a chord with me:

Tonight

We are young

So let’s set the world on fire

We can burn brighter

Than the sun

While we have been able to celebrate the success of the Servus Young Leaders Network (SYLN) for the 2011 year, I’m all about looking forward. The 2012 year will allow us to continue to expand our wings and gain continued traction within Servus Credit Union. At present we have just over 30% penetration of young leaders within Servus as members of the SYLN Online Site. We are seeing more regional young leader groups being created and the SYLN will be providing them with assistance in objectives as well as providing potential funding for special projects. I believe this will not only increase the participation level in the SYLN Online Site, but I think it will also increase the engagement level of our staff within Servus.

I am totally pumped about our three new executive committee members, Kirk Nielsen, Karina Farr, and Trish Rasmussen. All have jumped right in to joining some of our executive sub-committees to help improve on the programming that was provided in 2011. Kirk has already been hard at work using his tech savvy skill set to provide a new look to the Online Site which should be released in the upcoming year.

The SYLN Spotlight on the Online Site will be shifted to a more formal process where young leaders will be able to nominate their peers for recognition.

As an executive committee, we are continually looking for ways to increase the development of our young leaders. A common message that will be encouraged throughout the year is that if you have unique ideas, suggestions, leadership articles to share, or just have a thought you think can improve you and your peers experience in Servus Credit Union as a young leader, send your ideas to any one of the executive committee members! We want to make the Servus Young Leaders Network is bigger and better year after year after year.

So there it is kids, we are young, so let’s set the world on fire! To you and yours, a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Devin

The Canadian Credit Union system is doing that.

As per the Credit Union Central of Canada’s website:

In many ways, the future of Canada’s credit union movement rests with the best and brightest young employees.  The National Credit Union Young Leaders Award helps identify these individuals, motivate them and publicize their accomplishments to inspire others.  In creating this award, Canadian Central’s Board of Directors helps national leaders demonstrate strong support for young leadership.  By sharing their accomplishments, the credit union system inspires others to demonstrate similar dedication and effectiveness.  These young high achievers tackle large complex problems that will help determine the future of financial services. 

Each year, up to five finalists of the National Credit Union Young Leaders Award are sponsored to attend the Canadian Conference for Credit Union Leaders.  One finalist will be chosen as the 2012 National Credit Young Leaders Award scholarship recipient and will receive tuition plus travel costs to attend a leadership development program at a recognized university in Canada ($10,000.00 maximum).

The Servus Young Leaders Network has developed the Servus Young Leaders Network National Scholarship program to support this national initiative.  As part of the program, a young leader that has been employed in the credit union system for 3 years is able to write a maximum 2,000 word essay on how their leadership has fostered growth, innovation, or community involvement.

Our National Scholarship program will allow a maximum of 5 applicants to go into a “final round” and present their essay in a 15 minute verbal presentation to our Executive Leadership Team.  The Executive Leadership Team will then select the winner and that person will represent Servus as they vie for one of the National Young Leader Award.  Regardless of whether they are selected as a finalist, our scholarship winner will be provided with a very unique and impactful opportunity to attend the national conference.  Upon his or her return, the scholarship winner will share their learning on the Servus Young Leaders Network online site and will immediately become a member of the Servus Young Leaders Network Executive Committee.  The winner will also be able to have a mentorship partnership with a member of the Executive Leadership Team for a period of one year.

As Canadian Credit Unions, we need to ensure that we are taking advantage of this type of young leader development opportunities.  There is absolutely no financial cost to your credit union to have a young leader apply for the National Young Leader Award.  If they are selected as one of the finalists, Credit Union Central of Canada pays the cost for them to attend.

Run out of excuses?

Good.

Click this link to have your young leader apply today.

http://www.cucentral.ca/2012AwardsAnnouncement

Thanks to all of the young leaders that contributed both quotes and video (Jordan, Marcy, and Bobby).

Check it out!

Yes, the soundtrack is Nickelback.  So sue me.

Here is the challenge to all of you however.

For those that saw the three minute clip of my presentation in Las Vegas, I asked the crowd to all raise their hands and when I asked a question that didn’t relate to them, they could put them down.

Question 1:  How many of you believe young leader development is essential to the future success of your credit union?

All hands stayed up.

Question 2: How many of you have a young leader program that assists in recruiting, retaining, and engaging your young leaders?

Half the hands went down.

Question 3: How many of you have a young leader program that can pin point your future leaders of your credit union?

Half of the remaining hands went down.

Last question: How many of you have a young leader program that is managed by your young leaders?

One hand remained. 

I regret not acknowledging that person/credit union because I would have loved to hear their story. 

Everyone in that room agreed that young leader development is essential to the future success of their credit union, however very few are doing anything about it.  

This is why we all need to support programs like the CUES Next Top Credit Union Executive competition.  I think I can speak for Amanda, Jay, Josh, and Alexia when I say that this has been one of the most impactful experiences in my career to date.  While participating in the Next Top Credit Union Executive program over the past several months, I have found a new passion and that is developing people.  So much so, that I will be moving to a new position in December in the human resources department as a corporate trainer, leadership development. 

This is all thanks to the Servus Young Leaders Network and the CUES Next Top Credit Union Executive. 

Foster the growth of your young leaders by giving them these types of opportunities.  

The Next Top Credit Union Executive may very well be in your credit union.

Day 1: As some of you know, I was asked to speak at the Abacus AM Institute Conference in Cairns, Australia.

http://www.abacusconvention.com.au/

The topic is Social Media and Credit Unions, so I will be covering various topics such as Young and Free, the Feel Good Ripple,  the Canadian Credit Union system, the Servus Young Leaders Network, and of course, Crash and the new Cooperative Trust branding.  So watch for a bunch of Aussies wanting to join the crew!

I arrived on Friday in Sydney and met up with my friend Cas Scott.  I met Cas two years ago at the WOCCU conference in Las Vegas, and she was the one that invited me to speak to the Emerging Leaders stream.  This is like the Canadian National Young Leaders program for Australia who I will spend most of my time with during the conference.

Cas gave me an awesome tour of Sydney, including breakfast down at the harbor by the Sydney Opera house.

Some things I have learned so far about Australia:

- Lots of people don’t bother wearing shoes

- The word “Mate” is basically said in every sentence

- Australian’s have to be one of most friendliest people I have ever met, and they all seem to have a happy go luck/carefree attitude

- Things are a little more expensive down here, as gas is about $1.50 a litre and yesterday when I bought a burger, fries, and milk shake, it cost me $27.

- The casino works the same as I still lose money

I also did this….  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh_fPp9HqL8

My shirt definately describes the experience.

Sunday night marked the opening of the conference, and the Emerging Leaders Stream had their own networking session.  They had an icebreaker activity, in which you had a list of 20 or 25 descriptions and you need to find a person that matched each description.  I was the “lived overseas” guy for pretty much the whole room.

After that, we all went to the welcoming reception.  I was able to catch up with a couple of friends that I had met in Barcelona at the WOCCU Conference in 2009.  Good times in Aussie!

Yesterday’s session was extremely good as we talked about Courageous Leadership that was delivered by Dianna Vitasovic.  Dianna facilitates internationally on leadership transformation projects and has taught portions of the MBA program at Curtin University.

My biggest take away from yesterday’s session was her 5 Rules of Leadership:

1. Take responsibility for your choices

2. Changing your focus changes what is possible

3. You must make the full choice (what to say yes to, what to say no to)

4. If everyone is happy, you are not doing great work

5. If you are doing it yourself, you are not doing great work.

Really deep thinking items that we can all learn from.

After our session, we had the Emerging Leaders supper which was exceptional.

A new thing that I learned, Aussies like to swear. Yes. They. Do.

Devin

Day 2:

It’s been another fantastic day in the Emerging Leaders Stream.  It’s pretty cool to see even though we are thousands of miles apart, young leaders across the world are striving to accomplish the same things.  They want opportunities to improve themselves to contribute towards the success of credit unions.  Way cool!

Today we had the Emerging Leader/CEO luncheon.  Each Emerging Leader had their CEO join them for lunch.  As Garth couldn’t make it……..big thanks to Kevin Dupe from Community Mutual for adapting me!  The lunch also had a guest speaker, David Staughton, and he was UNREAL!!!

Biggest take away for me, his 5 Love Languages filling the love bucket for your team.

1. Praise for Effort: “You did…”

2. Appreciation: “Thanks for…..”

3. Recognition: Rewards and Stuff

4. Touch: Gentle pats

5, You: Attention and Listening.

Notice the acronym?!?!?!

For me, I would say I like 3 and a 5.

We also did a lot of work today on Emotional Intelligence, something we all need to continue to improve on.  One of the great quotes that came from our instructor was, “Leaders that are mindful of the moment will always get higher level of performance.”.  Isn’t that the truth!!!!    She also talked a lot of being mindful of your words.  I know this is something I want to continually work on.  Concentrate on supportive words to get better understanding and by in from people.

Today is presentation eve.  Pretty excited, but nervous about tomorrow.   Time to hit the hay.

It’s been a great experience so far, and I am sure tomorrow will be the same!

Have a great one!

Devin

Day 3 and after I returned back to Canada:

Hey kids,
Well, I’ve made it back to Canada. Not going to lie to you, that 30+ hours between flight and layovers takes a bit of a toll on the old body, mostly my butt. I did get to watch a pile of movies. FYI: Green Lantern sucks.
The last day of the conference was truly incredible highlighted by my own presentation called “Social Media and Credit Unions: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.”. The presentation had a ton of information (80 slides and three movies). In it, we covered me, Servus, Canadian Credit Union System, how we compare to US and Australia system, Young and Free, Feel Good Ripple, SYLN, the Crash Network/Cooperative Trust (US young leader group), Next Top CU Exec competition, Cafe, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc. While I haven’t received my full evaluation yet, I believe I truly delivered a strong presentation, as many of the Emerging Leaders came up to me after to not only congratulate me, but to also collaborate in the future. I also had some trivia questions in the presentation with the winners getting their very own CU JEDI t-shirts!!!! They really loved those!!!!
After being able to breathe a sigh of relief, I attended the last two plenary sessions which included presentations from Brett King and Todd Sampson. Some of you may recognize Brett King, as he is the author of Banking 2.0. His message, the banking industry is changing, and we need to get on board or die. In his estimate, branches will continue to see less traffic, and could potentially become obsolete in the next decade.  He also likes to plank.
The keynote speaker, Todd Sampson, absolutely BLEW MY MIND!!! He is the CEO of Leo Burnett, one of the top creative advertising agencies in Australia, but also the co-creator of the Earth Hour Initiative. He has also climbed many mountains, including Everest.  Crazy enough, he was actually born in Canada on the east Coast!!!  He talked about balancing creativity and fear as creativity is the last remaining competitive advantage we all have.  He has been able to be successful in his leadership journey as he has been braver for 5 more minutes.  Think about that for a minute, get back to me with your thoughts.
They also announced the Emerging Leaders award winner, which was Belinda Hogan.  Watch for her at WYCUP in Poland next year!!!!  CU Superstar!!!
The conference concluded with the Gala Dinner with this year’s theme being TV Times.  I didn’t have much room to pack anything, so I went with the CU Jedi T-shirt and joined the Emerging Leaders Committee as they were dressed as Survivor.
The host of Deal or No Deal in Australia was the master of ceremonies for the evening, and he hosted the World’s Greatest Game Show at the event.  I volunteered myself to participate and took part in a Minute to Win It game, which I was absolutely terrible at!  With that being said, the 650+ people in attendance got to see the Servus Young Leaders Network CU Jedi shirts!!!  BOOM!!!!!
All in all, it was a fantastic experience.  These conferences always provide great learning, but the thing that I enjoy most is getting to meet other young leaders from around the world, connect with them, and stay in touch over the years.
Thanks so much again to the Emerging Leaders Stream for inviting me to speak.  They are awesome, and I look forward to staying connected with all of them.

P.S.  Sorry I didn’t get all of the Emerging Leaders into the picture, the photographer was up in my grill.