Print
“The level of credit union engagement at the Chapter Leaders Conference was a great sign of the importance of chapters in Maine. The conference was not only an opportunity to share and celebrate best practices among our various chapters, but also to explore where improvements might be needed,” remarked Todd Mason, President of the Maine Credit Union League. “Side-by-side with member credit unions, the League remains committed to providing the support necessary to maintain a strong chapter network. The input we received during the conference will truly influence where best to direct that support.”
Representatives from all eight of the state's credit union chapters were in attendance, and participated in the discussion which led by Jason Boles, CEO of Fans Created. Boles led the group through the results of a survey on chapters, best practices and ideas on ways to attract younger CU professionals to chapter meetings and leadership. A survey of credit union leaders and staff found that the majority believe that chapters "are important but many are not as engaged with participating in chapter meetings as they once were." Boles said the challenge for the League and chapters is "to find ways to engage front-line CU staff in chapters and to 'think outside the box' when it comes to what a chapter meeting looks like including speakers and purpose. It's about putting cheeks in seats, and you need to find out the formula to do that. Keep in mind that what works for one chapter doesn't necessarily work for another so each chapter needs to find what will work for their credit unions."
Attendees found the meeting to be a "good first step in the process." Denise Dupere and the new President of the Aroostook Chapter found the Conference to be "time well-spent because it provided an opportunity to hear what other chapters are doing, and to build upon the strengths we have in our chapter." Scott Harriman, President of Cumberland County FCU and President of the Alex Ferguson Chapter, said, "I took away some ideas that I am going to bring back to my chapter to discuss and see how we might implement them. This was a productive day."
A key outcome of the Conference was the agreement by leaders that a statewide Chapter Leaders' Strategic Planning session would be helpful to "align and collaborate with each other." Mason said the League would be following up on scheduling a Planning Session later this year to "facilitate the continuation of this conversation and this process. Maine's eight credit union chapters operate as an arm of the League and we want to make each one as vibrant and successful as it can be."