Take a look back at one of this year's largest in-person gatherings of credit union professionals and volunteers in the Northeast: APEX 2021!
In the true spirit of cooperation, the Cooperative Credit Union Association joined with the Credit Union League of Connecticut to bring credit union professionals from FIVE states – Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island – together for APEX 2021, one of the largest credit union gatherings in the Northeast.
After more than 18 months of rapid change and unanticipated challenges, the excited buzz from hundreds of people coming together in-person was felt throughout the two-day event. Whether attending one of the many Learning Labs, listening to key-note speakers, or touring the sold-out trade show, smiling faces were found everywhere.
APEX 2021 officially opened with warm welcomes from Ron McLean, CCUA President/CEO, and Bruce Adams, CULCT President/CEO, sharing their gratitude to event attendees for bringing their personal energy to APEX 2021. The activity-packed agenda featured rich and dynamic educational content designed especially for credit union professionals featuring nationally renowned thought leaders and authors. Opportunities to renew old friendships, and make new ones, were plentiful with frequent breaks scheduled throughout the event.
The Cooperative Credit Union Association announced the election of four new board members during its business meeting on October 13, 2021, and thanked departing directors Ronald Covey, Jr., Chairman of the Board and President/CEO, St. Mary’s Bank; David Suvall, Secretary and President/CEO, Rhode Island Credit Union; and John ‘Bernie’ Winne, former Chairman and President/CEO, Boston Firefighters Credit Union, for their service. Results of electronic voting by the membership on proposed bylaw amendments were announced during the meeting, with the bylaw changes being approved.
The 2021 Awards of Excellence honored the people who make a difference by their personal embrace of the credit union system and its values and principles - the heroes and “credit union legends” among us who set examples for all to follow.
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APEX 2021 continued the tradition of honoring those credit union professionals and volunteers who reached major milestones of service to the credit union community creating a ‘wall of honor’ at the entrance to the event.
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The Silent Auction for Charity was a beehive of activity as attendees vied to capture the prize of their choice with a winning bid, raising over $8,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware, Make-a-Wish New Hampshire, Special Olympics Rhode Island, A Bed for Every Child (MA), and Credit Unions Building Financial Independence (CT).
The Global Women’s Leadership Network, one of the original diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, welcomed members and guests of the New England Sister Society to a discussion centered on complex leadership and advocacy lessons. Noting that credit union membership had surpassed 375 million worldwide, Eleni Giakoumopoulos, Director of the Worldwide Foundations for Credit Unions/World Council, engaged the group with a brief video showing the impact of the GWLN through a credit union in the Philippines. Terry McGovern, JD, and Professor, Chair and Director at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, shared her experiences dealing with inequities as she litigated and advocated for women’s sexual and reproductive rights, as well as health, gender justice, and environmental justice.
Dr. Mary Kelly, Ph.D., CDR, US Navy (ret), brought new life to the economic outlook, stressing the importance of “accelerating into the curve.” As she explained, in order to keep forward momentum, it is necessary to increase your speed when negotiating a curve. Although no one could have foretold the duration of the pandemic, “credit union leaders need to see what could have happened and have to have a plan” to overcome obstacles, Kelly added. Sharing information gleaned from usdebtclock.org, Kelly noted the growing pressure on members as national and state debts climb. She urged those present to consider the financial stress on their employees and turn “attrition into attraction” by ensuring their wages keep pace with increasing prices and taxes.
Michael Chase, Esq., Attorney and Author, brought his unique perspective, and sense of humor, to the morning as he detailed the frustrations of combing through the literally countless number of things our federal government has criminalized. Chase pointed out that the U.S. Constitution notes just three crimes of federal concern, piracy, counterfeiting and treason, but the number had grown to about 20 when the Federal Crimes Act was passed in 1790. It seems the proliferation of statutes began in earnest in the 1800s, Chase noted, “when Congress delegated its lawmaking authority to federal agencies.” As Chase said,” the language of law defies common meaning’ and there are often “conflicting positions on enforcement” amongst the thousands of vague statutes.
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Dr. Mary Kelly, Ph.D., CDR, US Navy (ret), brought new life to the economic outlook, stressing the importance of “accelerating into the curve.” As she explained, in order to keep forward momentum, it is necessary to increase your speed when negotiating a curve. Although no one could have foretold the duration of the pandemic, “credit union leaders need to see what could have happened and have to have a plan” to overcome obstacles, Kelly added. Sharing information gleaned from usdebtclock.org, Kelly noted the growing pressure on members as national and state debts climb. She urged those present to consider the financial stress on their employees and turn “attrition into attraction” by ensuring their wages keep pace with increasing prices and taxes.
View:
Michael Chase, Esq., Attorney and Author, brought his unique perspective, and sense of humor, to the morning as he detailed the frustrations of combing through the literally countless number of things our federal government has criminalized. Chase pointed out that the U.S. Constitution notes just three crimes of federal concern, piracy, counterfeiting and treason, but the number had grown to about 20 when the Federal Crimes Act was passed in 1790. It seems the proliferation of statutes began in earnest in the 1800s, Chase noted, “when Congress delegated its lawmaking authority to federal agencies.” As Chase said,” the language of law defies common meaning’ and there are often “conflicting positions on enforcement” amongst the thousands of vague statutes.
Tom Slefinger, Senior Vice President, Fixed Income Institutional Sales with Alloya Investment Services, brought to light how the V-shaped recovery from the COVID pandemic, fueled by massive and unprecedented transitory rounds of stimulus, is expected to collide with the secular dynamics of excess debt, aging demographics and disruptive technologies, continuing to inhibit economic growth, inflation, and interest rates.
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Michael McKenna and Tina Wright, both with the Alera Group, and Andy Jacobson, of 1.800MD, introduced a focused benefit enhancement package specifically designed to attack gaps in group employee benefit offerings that could lower healthcare insurance premium costs for your credit union as well as out-of-pocket costs for your employees. While focusing on the importance of compliance in employee benefits, the trio discussed how a focused benefit package can help improve your recruiting, retention and employee satisfaction efforts.
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Kyle Stutzman, Chief Revenue Officer at Pure IT Credit Union Services, revealed how technology, a tool that helps us complete a task, can be leveraged to help you crush your 2022 business goals. Acknowledging that the pandemic accelerated the shift to digital channels for the majority of credit unions, changing the way they work and provide service. Stutzman queried if credit unions knew how easy it is for members to transact with them and if they are using the data they have on hand to personalize interactions. Using a three-legged stool as an illustration, Stutzman shared how data, security and technology work together to support credit union goals.
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Joel Hartzler, from the Filene Research Institute, noted the keys to excellent member experience include member capability and operational transparency. Hartzler, with more than 25 years of credit union experience, was uniquely qualified to guide the group on an exploration of best practices and innovative new ways for credit unions to improve member experience.
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Joe Hankey, Senior Manager, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at CUNA Mutual Group, took the group on a journey beyond “DEI 101”, exploring ways to integrate DEI into the fabric of your credit union while also having some real conversations about what gets in the way of progress. The lively and interactive discussion focused on moving from awareness building to meaningful, sustainable change for your workforce and the members your credit union serves.
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Joe Casali, Executive Vice President of NEACH Payments Group and payments innovation expert, reviewed the pros and cons of payments options available to credit unions. Noting how the economy moves through ACH, Casasli urged credit unions to analyze member transactions to see what payment platforms their members are using, including Zelle, Venmo, PayPal and SnapChat. He provided credit unions with four steps to develop a payments strategy:
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