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Credit union planning session are about honing in and drilling down, but these gatherings can also be a time to renew the spirit of the movement. Guardians Credit Union, based in West Palm Beach, Fla., held its October planning session at the America’s Credit Union Museum in Manchester, N.H., the site where the first credit union opened its doors in 1908.
The idea to visit a history-rich location is consistent with the philosophy of Guardians CEO John Deese, who believes in expanding horizons for the credit union board members while also making the critical decisions about the credit union’s goals for the future.
“Over the years, we have taken our planning sessions to places that are not your traditional sites,” said Deese, who has held the title of CEO since 1978. “We’ve been to Madison, Wis., to have part of our planning on site at the CUNA Mutual building. We’ve also been to Washington, D.C. to visit the CUNA headquarters.”
It seemed a natural fit to visit the birthplace of credit unions which pays tribute to the founders and leaders whose vision, commitment and determination led to the creation of financial institutions centered around members’ needs rather than padding board members’ pockets.
“We’ve tried to make it so our official family gets to see the movement and the different places that facilitate credit unions at the state and national level,” Deese said. “To me, this is just a different opportunity to learn the importance of the work we do through credit unions.”
Plans were in the works for some time before Guardians could commit to holding the session at the museum, which completed a $3.5 million in renovation in March.
“Logistically, it is a little challenging to get decent flights unless you book early in advance,” Deese said. “We had been looking at the location for a number of years, but we kept backing up to work out the details and get the best airline rates.”
Visiting the museum, located in the building where the first credit union in the U.S. was begun a century ago, was eye opening for the credit union staff and board members who attended. The lower level of the site, once a multi-unit apartment building, houses artifacts and documents detailing the inception and growth of the credit union movement.
“It’s a very impressive facility,” Deese said. “They have a room upstairs that is more than adequate for a group holding a planning session. We had 30 in our group for the session and then held a dinner there for 60 people. A meeting like this gives the board the exposure to what the credit union movement is all about. It’s a true historic perspective.”
Had the meeting not been held at that museum, Deese said the chances of volunteers and staff every seeing the location were unlikely, and he considers it important for such influencers in the industry to visit sites that share the credit union message.
“Many CEOs haven’t been to Madison to see the CUNA Mutual building,” he said. “That’s an impressive facility. And visiting CUNA in Washington, D.C., gives you a chance to see how it operates. The museum is a different perspective. It helps volunteers understand they are part of a bigger mission, not only in the communities we serve but with state, national and international involvement. When I shared this idea with other CEOS, they liked the idea of doing something similar.”
Stephanie Smith, executive director of the museum, concurs: “It’s important for credit unions to come to come to Manchester because it is the birthplace of credit unions, and what better place to begin planning the future of your credit union than where it all began?”
Your credit union can explore similar opportunities by taking planning meetings beyond the conventional boardroom setting.
To plan a visit to the America’s Credit Union Museum in Manchester, N.H., click here.
To plan an event at Credit Union House in Washington, D.C., click here. You may also email events@cuhouse.com or call 202-548-3131.
To plan a tour of CUNA headquarters in Washington, D.C., contact Grace Sanchez at gsanchez@cuna.coop. Boardrooms also can be booked when available.
