By Ray Birch
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, Minn.–While the coronavirus pandemic has cheated the high school and college classes of 2020 out of putting on a cap-and-gown and celebrating at a graduation ceremony—a group of credit unions this week has come together in an attempt to help at least create some virtual memories.
Classmates from CUNA Management School’s class of 2020 along with credit unions across four states have created the “#weCUgrads Challenge,” and they are now challenging other credit unions to join them this week in a national effort to celebrate 2020 graduates through social media. They’ve even created a “starter pack” for CUs that are participating.
All credit unions are being urged to join the #weCUgrads challenge May 4-8 and are being asked to post positive messages on social media and highlight all graduates, using the #weCUgrads hashtag.
“We talked about the plight of the graduate this year and the opportunities that have changed due to the pandemic. What better way to celebrate our graduates than putting the power of people helping people across the country to work,” said Joel Strozewski, SEG branch manager with $128-million Heartland CU here.
More Than 100 CUs on Board
Strozewski said he hopes the posts—while not the same as opening a yearbook and looking back on photos of a graduation ceremony—will be memories just the same.
“We are hoping credit unions will post a photo, comments, anything on social media celebrating the 2020 graduates that will have students someday looking back on these posts and saying, ‘I remember that year,’” said Strozewski. “We’re creating memories.”
Joel Strozewski
Strozewski said interest had been strong leading up to May 4, with more than 100 credit unions already on board. He said he hopes by the end of this week there will be many more credit unions participating—posting photos and comments—covering every state in the nation.
“That is one of our biggest goals, to make sure we cover all states across the country—get credit unions in every state to be part of this,” said Strozewski.
Seeking Memorable Results
Strozewski said he is not sure how the entire effort will turn out or what kinds of memories it will provide, but he said the technology currently available could lead to some very interesting and memorable results.
“We are not telling credit unions what they have to do,” he said. “We give them a starter pack and then let them run with it. We are allowing them to adapt this to their own philosophy and brand.”
“For example, at my credit union we are going to enter names of graduates into a daily drawing that will award one winner with a graduation gift from a local business,” he Strozewski said. “We are also supporting local businesses through this effort.”
The idea for the challenge started from discussions among classmates at CUNA Management School. Strozewski is part of the 2020 class, which knows something about missing ceremonies.
“We were talking about the possibility of us missing our graduation this year, which I think is likely to happen,” said Strozewski. “Then we got to thinking about all of the graduates across the country who would be missing out, as well. So that’s how this idea was started—we thought it would be great to have a week’s worth of celebration for grads.”
‘Missing a Lot This Year’
Strozewski emphasized credit unions are known for making a difference in members’ lives, and the graduation acknowledgement effort is a part of that.
“That includes helping them with their finances, helping their communities, and helping them during special times in their lives,” he said. “Through all of this disruption that is happening in the lives of our members now, credit unions have the opportunity to step up again.
“The pandemic is rough on everybody,” continued Strozewski. “But it won’t stop credit unions from helping graduates remember this important year in their lives. We don’t want them to miss out on this year. And high school students are missing more than just graduation ceremonies, they’re missing their proms. One of my nieces reminded me that she will miss out on her scholarship acceptance ceremony. She won’t be going on stage to receive her award and get her name announced in front of the entire school. Grads are missing a lot this year.”