December 2021

HCI Monthly News & Updates
Message from our Board Chair



Hello Friends in Travel!

I’d like to take this opportunity to check in with you. This is an extremely busy time of year personally and professionally for all of us. Are you taking time to breathe? Maybe meditate? Do you practice yoga? What do you do to stay sane during this time of year? I have an app called Calm (not sponsored 😊) that I find really helps me to slow down my mind and relax. I’m trying to incorporate meditation into my daily routine and Calm has made it easy for me. I’ve also gotten into the habit of putting my phone down in the evening and “unplugging” as they say. I don’t check email, or play a game, or scroll through Facebook and Instagram. My daughter and I love to watch movies, especially Christmas movies, so we’ve been surrounding ourselves with the creature comforts of winter: soft blankets, cozy pillows, fuzzy socks and the glow of a fireplace while we tune in to our favorite movies. All the other stuff can wait.

I know that “gratefulness” and “practicing gratefulness” have been buzz words since early 2020, and I feel like it gets overused BUT (there’s always a “but”) I have been practicing it on my drive in to work every morning as a way to set the tone for my day. Just a gentle reminder to myself that I am lucky to be where I am and to incorporate even small acts of service throughout my day.

I am very grateful to be a part of HCI, to have the opportunity to learn and grow as a club director. To have a group of people with shared experiences that I can turn to when things get tough, and things have been tough over the last two years. I am grateful that we were able to pivot and get the support we needed to keep our club viable. I am grateful for all of you.

Wishing you health and happiness this holiday season, and a very happy New Year. I’ll see you in February at Peer Group!

Allison

Allison Whalen
Summit Club Director
F & M Community Bank
Preston, MN
IMPROVED HEALTH AND SAFETY AT THE 2022 Peer GROUP 

The health and safety of everyone attending Peer Group remains our highest priority when putting on our annual conference. We all want to be back together, and we all want to enjoy the laughter and learning we expect from HCI. We can do this best when we are all confident that HCI is taking every precaution to keep us as safe as possible. 
 
Consider these safety measures when deciding to register:
1. All delegates must send proof of vaccination to the HCI office when they register.
2. We will be wearing our masks at all times indoors during the conference (except when dining).
3. HCI is providing a free testing facility throughout the conference for anyone who is feeling any symptoms or thinks they have been exposed.
4. All delegates will be required to take a free rapid test (with a negative result) before joining the conference on whichever day they are arriving.
5. We will have plenty of space to be able to practice social distancing during our educational sessions and our meal and social times.
 
Registration has been busy with nearly 30 bankers already registered for the conference.
We look forward to seeing everyone in the Quad Cities February 21-25, 2022!
 
We are Better Together when we are Together Safely!

If these changes will prevent you from attending the conference, please reach out to Tina to cancel your registration. You will receive a full refund of any payments that you have already made if you cancel by December 31, 2021.
Peer Group Pre-FAM Tour

The Pre-FAM Tour includes 3 nights of lodging (Friday 2/18 - Sunday 2/20) and all of your meals through Sunday's dinner. The motorcoach departs from the hotel lobby entrance at 1 pm on Friday, February 18.

Single occupancy - $225
Double occupancy - $175

The Monday Sightseeing Tour is the last leg of the Pre- FAM tour. Even if you are not going on the FAM Tour, you are still able to participate in the Monday Sightseeing Tour. There is no charge for it, but you must register to participate. You will meet in the lobby at 7:50 am on February 21, 2022. The tour departs at 8 am and returns by noon for Opening Ceremonies and Lunch.
Annual Peer Group Registration

It is time to register for Peer Group!!

It has been such a long time since we have been in the same room with each other. We are very excited about being together with you again. We hope that you have already marked your calendars and will be joining us in the Quad Cities February 21-25 for the 2022 Annual Peer Group Conference.

Let's reconnect for networking, learning and fun at the only conference in the country designed especially for bank club directors.
 
We have some great education sessions planned for you to help you be the best club director you can be.
  • Membership building
  • Communication
  • Tour planning help
  • And more!

We also have great discounts for bank presidents, succession delegates, and additional delegates from the same bank. Contact Tina to learn more about these cost saving specials.
 
Learn more on the HCI home page, or go directly to the Banker Peer Group site to sign up today.