WASHINGTON–The Underground Collision, which seeks to bring together diverse opinion and passionate, authentic discussions around credit unions, will be held again this weekend in conjunction with CUNA’s GAC.
Scheduled for March 10, 2019, at the historic Hay Adams Hotel in Washington, the event is sponsored and hosted by Mitchell Stankovic & Associates. “Questions are asked to challenge leaders to live up to their social mission and create initiatives that will strategically influence the path of engaged credit unions in serving diverse memberships,” Mitchell Stankovic said.
It added The Underground is a platform for disruption, collaboration and innovation between legacy and emerging leadership.
“We are thrilled to welcome a record number of credit union believers to the Underground in DC, a hotspot of economic disparity,” said Susan Mitchell, CEO of Mitchell Stankovic and Associates and founder of the Underground. “I can’t wait to hear real thoughtfulness from some of the best minds in credit unions at this vital time. During the recent government shutdown, there were hundreds of workers without savings. I was appalled by the number of people who stood in food lines after just a few days! I was also gratified by the number of credit unions who responded to this crisis with social initiatives that differentiate the industry. Mega and digital financial institutions did not show up. Imagine what impact we could have if we all joined hands to #STANDUP for credit unions!”
The Presenters
Among those who will be speaking to the group will be retired SECU CEO Jim Blaine, who has paraphrased Martin Luther King, Jr. in his plea for credit union relevancy. “The judgment of the people is upon credit unions as never before,” he wrote in the latest Underground Voice blog. “If the credit union of today does not recapture the ascendant spirit of the early credit unions, it will lose its authentic ring, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant bank with no meaning for the twenty-first century. I hope credit unions as a whole will meet the challenge of this decisive hour.”
According to Mitchell, Colliders seek respectful debate to help keep the credit union community relevant and thriving.
“The Underground Collision brings life to core credit union struggles, challenges and opportunities, deliberating on solutions and bringing back action plans to implement in attendees’ individual credit unions to better serve more consumers,” the organization said. “This personal accountability will bring incremental, collective change industrywide.”
Intimate, Fast-Moving Format
The meeting will feature an intimate and fast format, with a keynote from Brandi Stankovic, SVP of Strategic Advisory Services, CU Solutions Group, on #WhatsUp. CUToday’s Collaborator-in-Chief, Frank J. Diekmann, will act as facilitator.
There will also be three panels of credit union leaders who engage among themselves and the audience on the very issues that threaten the life blood of credit unions. Then it moves to speed-dating roundtables, where distinguished topic leaders give equal voice to all colliders as they talk candidly and share real life experiences.
The Agenda
The panels include:
- #SpeedUp! It’s time for credit unions to embrace failing forward faster to remain a viable financial service options. Speakers: South Bay Community CU CEO Jennifer Oliver, AdvantEdge Analytics Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer Shazia Manus, and Archer + Rosenthal Principal Cliff Rosenthal
- #BreakUp! Where does the industry divide between large and small take us, and what can we do about it? Speakers: NASCUS CEO Lucy Ito, Local Government Employees FCU COO Dwayne Naylor, and Honor CU CEO Scott McFarland
- #LiveUp! Credit unions have a mission to be the consumers’ financial institution. That requires evolving in every way. Speakers: SchoolsFirst FCU SVP of Organizational Development & Strategic Planning Kevin Martin, Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Consultant Sarah Canepa Bang, and Baxter Credit Union CEO Mike Valentine
Speed Dating Topics
- #ListenUp! Member Voice and Board Representation
- #AnteUp! Being a Good CU Community Citizen
- #ChinUp! CUs Could Be Their Own Worst Enemy
- #SpeakUp! Discussing Agendas for Future Collisions
CU*Answers, BALANCE and Ser Technology are sponsors of the event. For additional information on future Collisions, visit www.mitchellstankovic.com