MADISON, Wis.–The largest number of young credit union leaders to ever apply to be GAC Crashers in the program’s 14-year history has resulted in the selection of 58 people to attend CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference in February.
According to the Cooperative Trust, which manages the Crashers program and is part of Filene, some 233 people representing 48 states applied. Those selected include three WYCUP Scholarship winners from Africa, Australia, and Ukraine, the organization reported
"Congratulations to this year’s class of GAC Crashers,” said CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle in a statement. “We’re excited to welcome this engaged group of young credit union professionals to our movement’s premier advocacy event. They’ll have plenty to experience at the 2023 CUNA GAC, including amazing networking opportunities and the chance to advocate for the credit union difference to policymakers firsthand."
‘Enhanced Content’
According to the Cooperative Trust, exclusive Crash content will be “enhanced with new learning panels focused on leadership development, credit union history, community partnerships, engagement, and key advocacy topics.”
Programming has also been modified to include more time with the CUNA leadership and engagement teams and to allow learning to be actualized through Crash debriefs, the organization added.
"The Cooperative Trust is thrilled to welcome the newest cohort of emerging leaders to Crash the GAC in 2023," said Filene’s Community Development Director, Cortney Arnold. "This group of rising professionals are the future of credit unions, and it is an honor to be part of history as we make space for them and where they will lead the industry in the decades to come. We know these Crashers will bring spirit, passion, and hopefully a little bit of good fun and disruption to CUNA GAC."
‘Non-Stop & Career Changing’
The Cooperative Trust described the program as a “non-stop, career-changing program for young professionals that gives them opportunities to build industry knowledge and connections in ways they would not otherwise likely have.”
The premier activity hosted by Crashers during CUNA’s GAC, Thunderpunch, will be held in partnership with SavvyMoney on Monday, February 27.
The Cooperative Trust added that this year it is launching the 2nd cohort of Crash Course: Filene’s Centers of Excellence to gain a “holistic perspective on credit unions and how our industry can continue to serve members into the 21st century and beyond.”