TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–The League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates held its first-ever Virtual Idea Institute, saying the event “successfully inspired out-of-the box thinking to an active audience of credit union professionals.”
According to LSCU, which serves credit unions in Alabama, Florida and Georgia, the two-day conference allowed for networking by credit union industry executives, sponsors and insiders, who also attended six lively sessions, three virtual meals and an after-hours foundation event.
“Idea Institute is all about sharing ideas and hearing from those within our industry,” said Maureen Bock, senior director of education at LSCU. “We heard some incredible presentations from movers and shakers in credit unions and others in the industry.”
The first day’s virtual sessions attendees heard about the economic impact of the pandemic and ways of using innovation for a better future – “even during these uncertain times” – from experts including Tom Slefinger senior vice president and director of institutional fixed income sales for Alloya Corporate FCU; Dwayne Naylor, president of Civic FCU in North Carolina; Mark Caverly, president of Local Government FCU in North Carolina; and Josh Cook, president/CEO of Community Choice Credit Union in Iowa, the LSCU reported.
“One attendee said Josh Cook’s optimism was infectious,” Bock said. “He moved another to tears. All speakers shared great ideas, and inspiration with a powerful impact.”
Day Two Discussions
On day two there were discussions about mortgages, CUSOs, innovation and collaboration from speakers such as 121 Credit Union COO Paul Blackstone, MSU FCU President/CEO April Clobes, and iServeall Principal Vim Anand. A virtual lunch addressed health and mental wellness during in the current climate.
“Idea Institute sparked new ideas on ways to motivate our staff in uncertain times as well as operational changes for the future,” Chattahoochee FCU Manager Stacey Hand said. “Josh Cook especially got me thinking – who is Chattahoochee Federal Credit Union? Does our vision and mission truly define who we are? Overall, a wonderful experience.”
The league had originally intended to hold Idea Institute in Jekyll Island, Ga., as an in-person event, and said the virtual format has allowed more credit union executives, young professional leaders and board members to attend.
“We were thrilled to be able to pivot and move our event into a virtual platform for credit unions so attendees could still benefit from the valuable information provided in the sessions,” Bock said. “A number of the credit unions that attended are going to use the ideas they heard as inspiration within their own credit unions. And that’s what it’s all about.”