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Jordan Inkley
It’s hard to believe it, but the League’s Annual Meeting and Convention is finally here! This is my second Convention and I could not be more excited for this year’s event lineup. Last year’s Convention felt very stressful at times, especially trying to execute a successful event like Cheryl Lancaster and Linda Scott would do—both ran Conventions together for years and made it look easy. By the end of it, however, I knew Convention would be my favorite event to plan throughout the year—and I have been looking forward to it ever since.
Year two of planning for Convention has felt a lot smoother for me. The League team’s collaboration is so strong, and everyone is always willing to help wherever needed in all aspects. There is nothing more rewarding than being able to see all of our efforts come into fruition at such a large event, like Convention. I, for one, am extremely proud of the work done by our League ahead of this year’s annual event—especially through the transition within our organization over the last year.
This year, the Awards and Convention Committee decided to rebrand Convention through a new name—one that reflects what Convention is all about. Mike Rosmus, the League and Synergent’s Creative Marketing Manager, came up with the word and concept of “Elevate.” The definition of the word “elevate” is to “raise or lift something up.” By engaging in committees, networks, educational offerings, conferences, and even things as simple as day-to-day interactions with one another, the League staff, credit union employees, and the credit union movement as a whole are always striving to lift one another toward greater possibilities. If we have the opportunity to elevate an experience, a person, or a small part of our day, why wouldn’t we? Afterall, we’re all “People Helping People.”
The goal of Elevate is to continue to come together, day after day and year after year, as a team and community to help us be just a little better than we were before. There is always room for improvement and therefore, we will always have the opportunity to continue to be better, put our best foot forward, and keep showing up.
Our motto this year is, “It starts with us.” If we are not willing and able to start implementing new changes and ideas, then we will not be able to progress—as a League, as individual credit unions, or as an industry. 2023 saw a lot of change, but that just shows how strong the credit union movement is in Maine. Everyone continues to come together, work together, and is always willing to offer a helping hand—through both the good times and the tough times. Strength and unity are characteristics the credit union movement shows again and again, especially here in Maine.
I love my job, but what I love most are the people I get to work and communicate with daily. Feeling connected to people and feeling as though everyone I interact with in the credit union movement genuinely cares about me and what I have to say is special and makes me proud to be a part of the League. Connections give people purpose and make our interactions more meaningful.
This past year and a half have really given me time to connect with credit unions and the people who make them run so smoothly, allowing me to have an exceptionally integrated and immersed experience and role within the credit union movement. I feel extremely grateful for the connections I have made and for the daily interactions I have with credit unions—even as simple as a quick email exchange.
I am so excited to see everyone in person today at Elevate. Convention is our largest League conference of the year and is the perfect time to come together, collaborate, learn, and truly just enjoy being with like-minded peers. It is rare for so many of us to be able to all be in the same space together. If you can do one thing while you’re there, make an effort to make a new connection; you never know where it might lead you and how meaningful it may be to someone.