Level up Your Data Leadership: Don't miss the next Data Activation Series starting April 30. This course will expand your skill set and activate data to improve your members' lives. 

• It is a flexible course that allows all students to fit the program into their busy days;
• Students build a strategic data roadmap for their data journey;
• Students learn the fundamentals of building a successful data program and learn from their peers; and
• The course allows students to earn seven continuing professional education credits. No other data course in the industry offers this.

Also, check out the Deep Dive Data Governance virtual workshop on April 22 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM (MST). Many students say this has given them the primer to launch their data governance program.

Lending Risk Landscape: Register for TruStage’s "Office Hours" session at noon (MST) on April 17. Connect with experienced risk consultants as they share some of the risks impacting credit unions nationwide and ways you can minimize them. Be sure your answers are addressed during the session by submitting your questions with your registration. If you can't attend, sign up to get a link to the recording.

Be Ready for Peak Season: Don't miss peak student loan season! You're invited to a free 30-minute webinar on April 16 at 9:00 AM (MST) from Millennium Corporate and Sallie Mae. Learn more about Sallie Mae's Student Loan Referral Program and their full suite of loan products, their benefits, and how to generate additional fee income for referred members during the pre-peak season.

Horizon CU is in the spirit of Credit Union Youth Month, encouraging folks to "empower your children to save for the future!" They're making financial education fun with online pop-up events that teach kids about money in short, fun, online classes. They also welcomed the Great Falls Girl Scouts into the world of financial institutions, where they received a tour, learned about branch operations and personal finance, and earned a few badges.

That's the #CUDifference during #CUYouthMonth!

The Race for Relevance: Our Unique Point of View 

I was in Great Falls this week participating in the Giant Springs Chapter meeting and co-facilitating Personify Leadership Training^® with Karen. I love spending time with our credit unions and getting to know them! 

At the chapter meeting, we recognized the impactful community engagement of Montana Credit Union. Then I shared three key insights in remaining relevant to those we serve well into the future. Together, these three actions give us an edge and help us have a unique point of view within our communities. 

First is the perspective we bring and the perspective we seek from others. Regardless of our role in the credit union movement, we have a perspective that no one else has. My challenge to you: Share your perspective with others and seek someone else's perspective. 

Next are the opportunities we embrace across our employees, current members, and communities. Using data and what we know about these three groups, we should look 3-5 years out to anticipate the challenges and opportunities we can leverage. 

Finally are our values. The groups identified key credit union values, prioritized them, and then built a values tower to highlight key values in our movement. Most groups had shared values of trust, collaboration, and teamwork. One group chose "moxie" as a key value. How cool is that? 

In each element, we looked through three lenses: a mirror, microscope, and telescope. The mirror represents ourselves: our employees, our culture, and our practices. To effectively serve others, we first must look internally. The microscope represents our current members and the programs, products, and services we provide them. We must examine them closely to ensure they will meet their needs today and in the future. The telescope represents our communities and "not-yet" members. As we look into the near future, what actions must we take to support and serve them through our cooperative model? 

When we look at our unique point of view — by examining our perspective, opportunities, and values through the three lenses — we will win this race for relevance. After spending the evening with the Giant Springs chapter, my money is on credit unions! Thanks for all you do! 



Enjoy your weekend. Cooperatively, Gerry 

(pictured above: Day 1 of Personify Leadership Training^® in action)

Did you know the estimated economic boost from the eclipse was $6 billion? That's out of this world! The Perryman Group released a brief on March 28 with predictions that included direct and indirect visitor expenditures by the 30 million residents and visitors to the states most affected by the event. Is it too early to start planning for the next one in August 2044?