By Susan Mitchell
Historically, the Enlightenment period was a time known not for its battles, but for its powerful ideas and for bringing forward intellectual and cultural awareness that changed the world. This celebration of reason gave humans an opportunity to think differently and improve their own condition.
There is such disillusionment in the world today and the constant pounding in our heads is all about what is wrong. I don’t know about you, but I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired! Call me crazy, but cooperatives can totally turn the world upside down by believing this is a historic moment to focus on the power and goodness of humankind.
Could this be a time to get shit done (GSD)? I believe so and here are just a few of the ways we are engaged.
Awakening. On May 25, 2020, the tragic death of George Floyd was captured on video for all of us to see, and there was no excusing the brutality of the moment. Outrage. Frustration. And then, it opened the door for a much bigger awakening to the longstanding suffering of people of color. What did credit unions do? “We issued a call to action and ask the industry to sign a Commitment to Change,” explained Renee Sattiewhite, CEO of the African American Credit Union Coalition. “We became united within our credit union community to end racism.”
Observing Your Patterns. Systemic change within the financial services sector is key to improving the lives of all humans and breaking the pattern of generational poverty. The CU DEI Collective was formed in 2021, with the belief that, “Together we are stronger. Together, we can create a better world where all members of our communities can take part in our democracy, live free of fear from violence and enjoy physical and financial well-being.”
Feeling a Sense of Connection and Belonging. There are over 127 million members of credit unions in the United States and 375 million members from 118 countries and 86,451 cooperatives with a purpose to transform a billion lives worldwide by belonging to a credit union. The Global Women’s Leadership Network has over 150 local Sister Societies representing five continents. There is power in these hometown, grassroot connections.
Getting Shit Done (GSD). This may be a variation on the path to nirvana, but words are not enough. Through the Underground initiative, the principals of Mitchell, Stankovic and Associates are putting ideas into the action. Founded to create a vulnerable, authentic voice within the credit union space, the Underground movement is providing a forum for thought leaders to speak out, to see things the way they really are and to challenge us to do better, just GSD.
And it is happening reaching thousands globally. CU Pride is just one example, an idea in 2018, put into action and now a strong LGBTQ+ network of credit union leaders in 2022.
I may be crazy. Call me optimistic, unrealistic, pain-in-the-ass, but no one can say I am idly sitting back and just letting things be. Instead, I say: Be trailblazers. Be Allies. Be active. Be a light to navigate the dark. Be enlightened.
Sue Mitchell is CEO of Stankovic & Associates.