WASHINGTON–Filene is introducing a new initiative as well as two new Centers of Excellence for those in credit unions who choose not to hide in cocoons but instead see a “dawn of new opportunities.”
During a breakfast as part of CUNA’s GAC, Filene unveiled the new offerings.
According to Filene Executive Director Mark Meyer, there are two ways to respond to the immeasurable pace of change facing every credit union and CU leaders, with fear and a response that involves a cocoon or a shield, or by embracing everything that tomorrow is bringing.
“What came after Bubonic plaque? The Renaissance. What came after Spanish flu? The Roaring Twenties,” said Meyer. “When we have big shifts in people’s values, tremendous change happens. All of what is tossed u
p into the chaos of what it could be.”
3 Parts to a Renaissance
So what does a renaissance really look like? According to Meyer, it involves three things:
- Humanism. He noted this is the notion of focusing on human well-being, autonomy, progress, development of individuals, the equal dignity of humans, and more.
- Innovation. These are technologies changing the future.
- Transformation. He noted these involve outside forces such as COVID, crypto, the murder of George Floyd that drive “transformation social, political and intellectual upheaval,” Meyer said. These include new economies being formed and traditional leadership structures being in flux.
“Filene is focused on the opportunities for you,” said Meyer. “We believe credit unions were created by the people, for the people—that’s humanism. No matter what our business is, we are a human business.”
To that end, he noted Filene has created its Racial Equity Economic Incubator, on which it has partnered with eight credit unions, as CUToday.info reported here.
Meyer said Filene will soon introduce “Member Voice,” which he described as a data driven, member insight school. He announced during the breakfast that Co-op Solutions has agreed to sponsor Member Voice.
In addition, he noted the Lab at Filene has 20 CU participants (it has room for three more), and its i3 program has just announced its new cohort.
Transformation
When it comes to transformation, Meyer pointed out that two of Filene’s Centers of Excellence will soon “graduate,” but two new ones are about to be introduced: the Center for Leadership, Strategy and Governance, and the Center for the Credit Union of the Future.
It is looking to raise $3 million over next six months for those centers. Meyer announced the flagship sponsor for Center of Excellence for Leadership, Strategy and Governance is CUNA Mutual Group.
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