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CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle was one several outstanding speakers that addressed the 2018 Maine CU League Convention.
From great speakers and record exhibitors to nearly 100% CU representation and record fundraising, the Maine CU League’s 80th Annual Meeting & Convention produced a winning connection from all perspectives. With a theme of ’80 years of Creating Connections’ as the backdrop, the importance of bringing credit union officials, partners and others together through networking, learning and socializing, was on display for all to see.
Todd Mason, President/CEO of the Maine CU League, officially opened the Convention and spoke “of the value that connecting with each other brings to our system.” In introducing the first speaker, it marked an affirmation of Mason’s words as it highlighted the importance of the three-tier CU System partnership (National, State, Local). Jim Nussle, President/CEO of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), addressed convention-goers on the “value of collaboration and cooperation, and how it translates into success in advocacy, awareness and community. The ability to work together is a great differentiator from others in the financial services industry, and the Maine League and Maine CUs do a great job of that. We appreciate the partnership between CUNA, the League and credit unions immensely.”
Following Nussle, Opening Session Speaker, Kevin Brown began his presentation by asking, “What is a hero?” His powerful message touched, motivated, and inspired the crowd. Brown continued on defining heroes as world changers, protectors, and healers, but through his captivating storytelling, Brown distilled this down further for attendees. “Heroes are ordinary people that do extraordinary things…heroes are extraordinary people who choose not to be ordinary.” Beyond being extraordinary, Brown illustrated that heroes help people, which can be good for business, but true heroes understand there is a part two, a “dot dot dot.” “Heroes help people…with no strings attached.”
After Brown, the Convention turned its focus from heroes to disruptors as John Waupsh, the author of the book ‘Bankruption: How Community Banking Can Survive FinTech’, peeled some of the anxiety away that attendees and others have about the FinTech revolution. Waupsh said that FinTech is forcing credit unions and banks to compete in ways they have never had to or done so before. “When a financial services’ executive frames the institution’s problems as Fintech competition, that person is absolving the team of their sedentary sins, and perpetuating inclinations of stagnation. The evolved credit union or community bank executive will take a page from the bible of many of their fintech competitors, and embrace transformation—one small step at a time.”
The remainder of Friday, May 18, filled with the Annual Meeting, education sessions, networking events, exhibit spotlights, awards and entertainment. After a good night’s rest, the 2018 Convention concluded on a passionate note with energetic speaker, Mark J. Lindquist, connecting the previous day’s enthusiasm all together to provide the perfect send-off to convention-goers. Lindquist urged attendees to “find your passion. Approach your work and your life with that passion. If you are passionate, your staff, your co-workers, and your members will sense it and want to be part of it. Passion is contagious.”
After nearly two full days of connecting, the curtain fell on the 2018 Maine CU League’s Annual Meeting & Convention but many of the nearly 750 convention attendees left with great memories, connections and an understanding that cooperation and collaboration is a great strength that can be shared throughout the year.