Registration Open for 2019 Professional Growth and Learning Opportunities

Posted by Ben Shuey on January 29, 2019

The long-term success of the Credit Union Movement depends on the professional development of its people. Your Association is proud to support a variety of professional education programs, with options for credit union managers of every level and operational staff.

Registration is now open for 2019 professional development opportunities that will ignite focused engagement in your employees and prepare for the future success of your credit union. Scholarships for each of these programs are available through the Northwest Credit Union Foundation.

Western CUNA Management School
Western CUNA Management School prepares credit union employees with the tools they need to contribute to their credit union’s success and their personal career goals through rigorous MBA-level education. The program is targeted to managers and upper-level operational staff, with many graduates becoming chief executive officers and senior staff of some of the nation’s leading credit unions.

Paul Lucariello graduated the program in 2018. He was promoted to Vice President of Lending at Idaho-based Pioneer Federal Credit Union, and credits the program for his professional growth and for providing a well-qualified support network.

“The three-year journey at WCMS is packed with challenges, education, enlightenment, friendships, and ever-lasting memories,” said Lucariello. “It opened doors in my professional development, and I gained a lifetime of resources, contacts, and friendships to lean on when needed.”

Ranelle Crosby, 2018 program graduate and Vice President of Consumer Lending at Malheur Federal Credit Union in Oregon, also appreciated the networking opportunities the program provided.

“The knowledge and personal connections gained are priceless,” said Crosby. “I continue to reach out to my classmates for assistance and am never disappointed.”

For those interested in expanding their understanding of the credit union industry, their network, and their leadership potential, register now to begin the three-year program. Session one runs from July 14 to 26.

Emerging Leaders
Tomorrow’s senior leaders can gain the skills to execute strategies and tactics for their credit union through the Emerging Leaders program. Participants attend a series of three-day training sessions that start in the spring and end in early fall, with three sessions total.

The 2019 sessions will be held April 3-5, June 26-28, and Sept. 18-20 in Seattle. To find out more about the program and hear from past graduates, watch this informational webinar. The deadline to register for the 2019 Emerging Leaders Program is March 7. The deadline to apply for Strategic Link’s 2019 Emerging Leaders scholarship has been extended to Jan. 31.

Emerging Leaders 2.0
Emerging Leaders 2.0 is an intensive 1.5-day workshop open to all graduates of the Emerging Leaders program. Participants will focus on how they can continue to grow their leadership skills, revisit the key concepts explored in Emerging Leaders, and learn new tools to help maximize impact within their credit union. For those interested in continuing their professional growth, register now for the 2019 Emerging Leaders 2.0 session scheduled for June 24-25 in Seattle.

Credit Union Development Education
The Credit Union Development Education program, or CUDE program, explores and creates opportunities for credit unions to leverage their cooperative business structure. Participants receive transformative and experiential training that promotes the education and application of credit union business principles and philosophy.

Alexis Wharton, (2018 graduate) Branch Supervisor and Collections Officer at Washington’s Olympia Credit Union, found the training process to be invaluable to her growth.

“I grew professionally and personally in so many ways,” said Wharton. “The relationships fostered are like none other. It has been the catalyst to my last promotion and has lit a new fire within me to be a contributor to my community and the Credit Union Movement.”

Hayley Andrews (2015 graduate), Community Development Specialist at Oregon-based Rivermark Community Credit Union, was able to leverage her experience to form new connections with peers and use her expertise halfway across the globe.

“Over the years, my CUDE colleagues have generously offered assistance with program ideation, advised on the research and development of new initiatives, and even connected me with a two-week volunteer assignment in Ghana,” said Andrews. “I helped develop the group dynamics, gender equity, organizational management, and financial administration for a rural farm.”

The National Credit Union Foundation hosts CUDE trainings each year in Madison, Wisconsin. The 2019 session dates are: April 3-9, May 15-21, Sept. 11-17, and Nov. 6-12. For those interested in receiving their CUDE designation, more information, eligibility, and pricing details are available here.

For questions or more information on these professional development opportunities, contact NWCUA Director of Cooperative Momentum, Carmen Vigil.

Posted in Cooperative Development, Scholarships.