Following a successful 2021 inauguration, the CUYLM Mentorship Program officially kicked off its second year on April 21, 2022. Young and emerging leaders, as well as employees within the Manitoba credit union system (mentees) began their mentorship relationship with subject matter experts and established leaders (mentors) from other Manitoba credit unions, with focus on increasing knowledge, sharing experiences, developing leadership skills, and building connections.

At the kickoff event, mentees were encouraged to drive the mentorship relationship by determining their desired areas of growth and development, as well as working efficiently with their mentors to accomplish their goals. Mentees and mentors were provided with resources such as the mentorship guidebook and goals worksheet. They were also encouraged to build rapport, communicate effectively, set ideal targets, and create a comfortable meeting environment to ensure approachability, openness, and confidentiality.

On September 21, 2022, CUYLM held a virtual networking session with the mentors and mentees. The respective groups, in separate breakout rooms, shared their experiences and lessons learned from the mentorship journey, and expanded their networks. CUYLM also used the opportunity to obtain feedback and ensure that the mentorship program ended its second year successfully.

Conversations with mentees revealed that the mentorship program assisted them with their professional and personal growth. They affirmed that their mentorship relationship involved collaboration, information sharing, organic discussions, and judgement-free conversations. These aided them through role transitions, conflict resolutions, time management, and career trajectory. The mentees acknowledged that their mentorship relationships were more valuable than anticipated.

The mentors asserted that the mentorship program was an excellent way to give back to the system, and some of them expressed their interest in mentoring throughout their entire career. While CUYLM alumni mentors appreciated the opportunity to stay connected to CUYLM and its initiatives, non-alumni mentors, especially those who had been with the program since its the inaugural year, agreed that the program was a nice way to make connections and meet new people. They affirmed that each mentee’s style and preference was different, and they as mentors continuously learned to adjust accordingly. They also stated that they enjoyed behavioural-based conversations which focused on personal and professional development.

Special thanks to CUYLM executive committee for organizing a successful networking event. Gratitude also goes to the facilitators and participants of the event.

To learn more about CUYLM Mentorship Program, you may reach out to CUYLM Committee.

Rhonda Oakden QAFP, CHS, RIS

Director, Financial Planning, Westoba Credit Union

Career:

Start in credit union system: 2011
Start in the financial services industry: 1997

Rhonda started out as an Administrator to a Financial Planner in 1997.  She obtained her CSC (Canadian Securities Course) as well as her Life Insurance License to become a Licensed Assistant. After several years in a supporting role, she took her BCM (Branch Compliance Manager) certification and obtained her Financial Planning designation (QAFP™). 

For 8 years, Rhonda lead a team of Administrators and managed a book of business as a Financial Planner. She was seeking female mentorship in 2020 and reached out to Chief Transformation & Strategy Officer with Westoba Credit Union. The timing of that call was perfect, as Westoba was looking to fill the leadership role within the Financial Solutions team. In September of 2020, Rhonda onboarded as Manager, Financial Planning, which evolved to Director, Financial Planning in January 2022.

A typical day:

Rhonda loves how each and every day is different! The consistency is that she gets the privilege of leading the Financial Solutions team to provide direction, guidance, coaching and motivation, all while encouraging them to be the best version of themselves every day. She meets regularly with the Directors of Business Banking and Member Experience, with a common goal of driving positive results for their respective teams and Westoba members. She encourages building trust and inclusion to establish effective relationships both inside and outside of her organization.  Her days include frequent engagement with strategic partners, and conversations with other credit union Wealth Leaders and Managers to gather market and member insights to foster positive outcomes. On an ongoing basis, Rhonda manages continual learning, strategy and service delivery.

Keys to Success:

Rhonda finds it hard to pick just one, and they have evolved throughout her career. She says the consistent factors that contributed to her success were building strong relationships and being authentic. She says she feels lucky to have developed positive long-lasting relationships within the financial industry, many of which she still relies on as her professional sounding board. Secondly, be yourself.  We all come from different backgrounds and our stories may differ, but be who you are always.

Manish Kaushal CPA, CMA MBA

Associate Vice President Wealth & Steinbach Retail,
Steinbach Credit Union

Career:

Start in credit union system: 2017
Start in financial services industry: 1999

Manish started his financial career at President's Choice Financial (PCF) while completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Manitoba Asper School of Business.

From there, he had the opportunity to be part of their small business banking offering, BizSmart, through Staples Canada.

In 2003, Manish joined TD Canada Trust as a Financial Service Representative Trainee. Over the course of the next 14 years, he learned the financial business, spending time in retail, commercial banking, wealth management, district leadership and the regional office.

During that time, Manish also completed his MBA and CPA CMA through the Asper School of Business. He took the opportunity to engage with leaders throughout the organization to learn their styles of leadership and decision making.

A major driver for Manish was to be open to learning new things and have a genuine curiosity about how the current system worked and how to take it to the next level.

A typical day:

Manish starts the day by spending some time with his children, 4 and 5 years old, who are early risers like himself. He likes to take time to meditate, even for five minutes, to help set the day up right. He catches up on news before getting into the work day.

Keys to success:

Be genuine, show curiousity, listen, learn and try. Being open to changes and assessing the opportunity in that change environment is key. The lens we choose to use will define the outcome.

April 28-29, Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre, Brandon, Manitoba

Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba (CUYLM) is pleased to announce that registration is open for our 2022 conference 'All In: Betting on Yourself'.

REGISTER NOW!

Conference highlights:

• Focus on accountability and betting on yourself

• Embark on a personal journey, learning deliberate actions you can implement to help revitalize yourself to bring the best in yourself both professionally and personally

• Participate in an interactive program facilitated by prominent keynote speaker Stephanie Staples

• Opportunity to hear from Curtis Wennberg, President & CEO of Credit Union Central of Manitoba on the State of the Manitoba Credit Union System

• Network with other young leaders within the system

• And so much more!

A networking event is also included. Please let us know if you're attending (via the conference registration form) so we can save you a spot!
 
Please visit our conference page to learn more!

Deadline to register:
Registration closes Friday, March 25, 2022. Space is limited, reserve your spot today!

Questions:
If you have questions about the conference, please contact CUYLM at cuylm@cucm.org. 

Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba is recruiting for positions on the CUYLM Executive Committee to serve 3-year terms starting January 2022.  

Are you interested in being a part of a team that:

• Empowers other young leaders to grow and prosper in and for the credit union system?

• Provides a forum for young credit union leaders to share ideas and visions?

• Promotes and encourages opportunities for peer and senior leader networking?

• Increases the visibility of the credit union system to the community?

• Mentors young credit union leaders?

• Collaborates and shares activities with the National Young Leaders Committee?

Have we sparked your interest? Here's a little more info for you...

Your time on the committee will be as valuable and rewarding as you want to make it. The committee provides you with opportunities, and it's up to you to make the most of it!

Here's what to expect at the very least:

• Active participation on an assigned project team to accomplish tasks and goals for the year

• Monthly committee video conference call and related prep work

• Approximately two in-person planning sessions with the full committee

• The opportunity to attend networking and development events that may include system conventions, golf tournaments, career fairs, speaking arrangements and more.

  • Up to 3-4 committee members are selected to attend these events.

• The opportunity to represent CUYLM at the national conference and/or other system-related events (that may include system conventions and meetings) if you progress into the role of Vice Chair or Chair

• And most importantly, the chance to network and meet other young leaders within the credit union system who have the same passion you do for making positive changes in our system

Are you ready to take the next step? 

To be eligible to apply for a position on the CUYLM Executive Committee, applicants must be:

• Prepared to be fully engaged in committee meetings, in executing our action plans, and during social networking events.

• Age 37 years or less on January 1, 2021

• Have not previously served as a member of the committee

• Attain full support from your direct manager/supervisor

If this sounds like you, please apply on or before November 30, 2021. 

Visit our application page to apply: https://www.cuylm.com/join-executive

Application Review Process

Applications will be reviewed by the current CUYLM Executive Committee. CUYLM strives to establish an executive committee that is comprised of engaged and active young leaders while also balancing the need for proportionate representation across credit unions, including size and geographical location (rural vs. urban).

In the instance where there are two candidates who are equally qualified for the position, preference may be given to the candidate whose credit union is not yet represented on the committee. 

The executive committee believes in diversity and values the benefits that diversity can bring to the committee.

Questions:

Please direct any questions to: cuylm@cucm.org.

Congratulations to two Manitoba credit union employees for receiving the Canadian Credit Union Association's 2021 National Credit Union Young Leader Award!

Amanda Gilchrist (Assiniboine Credit Union) and Rob Unruh (Access Credit Union) are two of the five award finalists announced during the 2021 CCUA Virtual Annual General Meeting.

The National Credit Union Young Leaders Award recognizes young leaders in Canada's credit union system. The award helps identify the best and brightest young employees, motivate them, and publicize their accomplishments to inspire others.

Amanda and Rob are keen contributors to young leader initiatives at the provincial level, as members of Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba (CUYLM) Executive Committee. Amanda currently serves as the CUYLM Committee Chair, and Rob is a recent alumni of the committee, with a term that concluded in January 2021.

CCUA will be hosting a presentation to honour the National Young Leader Award recipients on June 7, 2021 at 2pm CST. Register for the event here.

One of the five award winners will be selected to receive a $10,000 scholarship. The scholarship recipient will be named during the 2021 National Conference for Canada's Credit Unions.

Hello CUYLM Members,

On behalf of the Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba (CUYLM) Executive Team, we are thrilled to share some exciting news with you.

CUYLM is launching a new 2021 Manitoba Credit Union Young Leader Mentorship Program. The program is focused on facilitating formal mentorship relationships between credit union employees across Manitoba. The goal of the program is to create opportunities for young leaders to connect with mentors to strengthen and build connections, deepen their networks, with a focus on developing leadership skills and sharing knowledge and experiences.  

Objectives of the Program:

• Increase engagement and connection with CUYLM and others across the Manitoba credit union system; and

• Increase knowledge, develop skills, and retain young leaders within the Manitoba credit union system.

All mentors are leaders in the Manitoba credit union system, many that have previously served on the CUYLM Executive Team. Collectively, the mentors have experience in the following areas: Commercial/Agricultural Lending, Policy & Procedures, Sales & Relationship Management, Executive/Senior Management, Retail Branch Management, Financing Restructuring, among others.

The matching process will be facilitated by the CUYLM Executive Team. Through the application process, prospective mentees will provide an indication of their priority development areas. Matches will be based on aligning successful applicants with mentors whose expertise best aligns with their selections.

Young leaders seeking mentorship as part of their development journey are encouraged to apply to become a mentee. Please discuss with your manager.

The Mentee’s Role

• Establish objectives/structure of your mentorship (to be Mentee driven, but mutually agreed);

• Actively participate in sessions and commit to regular sessions, including preparing agendas to facilitate the topics/discussion. The expectations for meeting time is a minimum of 60 minutes per month, with meeting frequency and length to be mutually determined by each mentor/mentee.; and

• Provide feedback to the CUYLM team about the progress of the sessions/relationships.

Important Dates:

• Now until May 21: Application Period

• May 21 to May 31: Applications Reviewed by CUYLM and Mentorship Connections Formed

• June 1st to November 30th, Six-month Mentorship Period

Mentorship Objectives will be agreed to by the mentors and mentees as part of a Mentorship Agreement. These objectives will be tailored to the mentee’s leadership development aspirations. Examples of objectives could include:

• Gain understanding of the process of strategic decision making & project management plans;

• Create a goal setting plan and define steps toward fulfilling it;

• Learn about coaching and accountability methods and apply those methods in your role.

The application process is now open and available on our website. Visit the Mentorship Program page to learn more, or go directly to the application form.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to Hart Garfield at hgarfield@acu.ca

Thank you,

CUYLM Executive Team

What is WYCUP?

World Council's Young Credit Union Professionals program began in 2001 as a scholarship program designed to raise the voice of emerging leaders across the international credit union movement. Today, WYCUP is platform for young credit union professionals and their advocates to connect to the world, engage professional journeys with global perspective and inspire a force for positive change through financial cooperatives in communities everywhere.

WYCUP Scholarship Program

WYCUP has awarded 99 scholarships for an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the World Credit Union Conference, connecting recipients with the pulse and passion of the international credit union movement. 

This year's scholarship recipients will travel to Glasgow, Scotland in 2022 to attend the World Credit Union Conference.

How to Apply

The WYCUP Scholarship application period will open on April 1 and run through May 31.

The application form provides details on eligibility and selection criteria. The form is available on the Scholarship page of the WYCUP website.

Scholarship recipients will be announced during the WYCUP Virtual Forum on July 20 and will attend the World Credit Union Conference in Scotland next year.

Recipients will also be invited to join the WYCUP Affiliates Council, engaging with leadership from YP networks around the world, sharing a professional journey and contributing directly to the empowerment of young professionals everywhere.

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the 2021 Manitoba Credit Union Student Bursary Contest! The CUYLM Committee enjoyed reviewing all of the fantastic creative submissions that came in! #culearn2021

The winners of this year’s contest are Grace and Cobie. Each winner received a $2,500 bursary to help with the costs of pursuing their education.

Congratulations, and all the best in your future studies!

Brad McEachern,
Rosenort Credit Union,
Former CUYLM Executive Committee Chair

2020 introduced new challenges and learning opportunities for the CUYLM committee. As Chair, Brad McEachern of Rosenort Credit Union stewarded the committee with commitment and grace. Brad's term as Chair concluded in January 2021.

In preparing for the final weeks of his role, Brad reflected on his years with the committee, noting the life-changing experience it has been for him both professionally and personally.

Over the last three years, he attended the National Young Leaders Conference and Next Gen, he assisted in launching the new CUYLM website, and organized a number of events including a show-stopping conference. Brad has seen and experienced it all!

The committee has walked alongside Brad in some of the most notable moments of life – primarily, the birth of his daughter, Reese. As a committee, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Brad for the countless hours worked, the endless patience, and the example he has set for each one of us. We look forward to crossing paths in the system!

Amanda Gilchrist,
Assiniboine Credit Union,
CUYLM Executive Committee Chair

CUYLM is excited to present the new Chair – Amanda Gilchrist. Amanda is currently a Branch Manager with Assiniboine Credit Union and has risen up through the ranks – occupying roles from MSR to Lender to FSR. Eager to hit the ground running, Amanda is ready to lead the committee through another year of adjustments while providing meaningful content for the young leaders of Manitoba.

With a background in education, Amanda is most looking forward to drawing on previous experience while stretching her adaptability skills.

In recalling the last year, Amanda noted the most impressive part of working with Brad has been watching him adapt on the fly. '

"Brad impressively modeled leadership through adversity by aiming to understand all the viewpoints of our partners and committee members, while prioritizing the health and safety of the committee.'"

In commenting on what to expect from CUYLM in 2021, Amanda hinted at a few new and exciting endeavours the committee is focused on, including a new online resource catalogue. CUYLM is excited to see where this year will take them and look forward to working with Amanda!

CUYLM would like to welcome newcomers Quinn Suderman (Winnipeg Police CU), Hart Garfield (Assiniboine CU), Megan Andrews (Westoba CU), and Yomi Oduwobi (Me-Dian CU).

CUYLM would also like to congratulate incoming Vice Chair, Stacy Gill (Fusion CU).

Through this blog, we are excited to share more about Stacy Gill, CUYLM Executive Committee member, and Manager, Human Resources at Fusion Credit Union. Stacy is a member of our executive team on the Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba (CUYLM) committee, and the Manager, Human Resources at Fusion Credit Union.  Stacy has a passion for travel, adventure, and the outdoors, and she has an impressive bucket list already underway (ask her about it the next time you see each other!).  With the onset of Covid-19, Stacy has embraced a ‘socially distant’ version of the activities she loves, and she continues to seek out fun and adventure wherever possible!

Throughout her career in the credit union system, Stacy has capitalized on opportunities to learn more about the diverse operations of our credit unions.  Her credit union experience began as a summer student while attending the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. Since then, Stacy has gained skills and knowledge in consumer lending, marketing, human resources, leadership and coaching.  Stacy is known to have a goal and growth-oriented mindset, and has completed a double major in Human Resources and Marketing from the Asper School of Business, and she holds the FCUIC designation.  Stacy has also recently passed the National Knowledge Exam for her Chartered Professional in Human Resources designation, which is a significant milestone in the career of an HR professional.

As the HR lead for a credit union that employs nearly 200 people, Stacy is a key contributor to the people-oriented projects and initiatives at Fusion.  Throughout her leadership journey, Stacy is discovering more about her own personality and style to develop greater levels of emotional intelligence and resiliency to change – both of which are critical leadership skills for major events such as a merge and pandemic! With the knowledge that strategic human resource management plays a key role in creating culture and leading employees, Stacy’s goal has been to handle these opportunities and challenges head-on. Stacy is proud of Fusion’s recognition as one of Manitoba’s Top Employers, and she speaks of this in terms of successfully realizing on HR and organizational strategy.

Stacy is currently the chair of the newly formed Fusion Young Leaders Committee. Establishing a young leader committee within the organization has brought new opportunities for skill development of other young leaders in the organization. The ideas and passion this young group has with a common interest to support the strategic growth of our credit union is phenomenal.

Stacy is an excellent addition to the CUYLM executive committee – her passion for education and opportunity aligns with CUYLM’s, and we’re all working together to shape the future of the credit union system.  In addition to her knowledge and background, Stacy has experience leading and contributing to diverse and virtual teams, and she is inspiring the committee as much as she is being inspired.

Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba (CUYLM) are excited to launch the second annual Manitoba Credit Union Student Bursary Contest! CUYLM is committed to making a difference in our communities by helping young people pursue higher education – especially this year, where students may face new challenges due to the pandemic. We want to showcase the creativity of students and help them in achieving their educational goals.

Purpose:

Support post-secondary students or high school students who are planning to attend a Manitoba post-secondary institution by offering a chance to win a bursary for school and improve the visibility of Manitoba credit unions to students (members and potential new members).

How it works:

CUYLM is asking Manitoba students to create and share a brief video (30-60 seconds) or social media post explaining what they love about credit unions and what sets them apart from other financial institutions. 10 finalists will be selected for interviews and 2 bursaries of $2500 each will be awarded! The contest will be open until January 22, 2021.

Learn more about the contest rules.

Spread the Word!

Here's how you can get involved:

• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and be sure to tag any of your friends and family on the bursary contest posts once the contest goes live. (If they win, you’ll be in their good books forever.)

• If you are a student or planning on attending post-secondary after high-school, APPLY! Even current credit union employees are eligible to enter.

• Familiarize yourself with the contest and spread the word to other students in your branch or in your wider circle of influence.

Stay safe & best wishes,
Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba Committee

Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba is recruiting for FOUR positions on the Executive Committee to serve 3 year terms starting January 2021.

Are you interested in being a part of a team that:

• Empowers other young leaders to grow and prosper in and for the credit union system?

• Provides a forum for young credit union leaders to share ideas and visions?

• Promotes and encourages opportunities for peer and senior leader networking?

• Increases the visibility of the credit union system to the community?

• Mentors young credit union leaders?

• Collaborates and shares activities with the National Young Leaders Committee?

Have we sparked your interest? Here's a little more info for you...

Your time on the committee will be as valuable and rewarding as you want to make it. The committee provides you with opportunities, and it's up to you to make the most of it!

Here's what to expect at the very least

• Active participation on an assigned project team to accomplish tasks and goals for the year.

• Monthly committee conference call and related prep work.

• Approximately two in-person or virtual planning sessions with the full committee.

• The opportunity to attend networking and development events that may include system conventions, golf tournaments, career fairs, speaking arrangements and more.

  • Up to 3-4 committee members are selected to attend these events.

• And, most importantly, the chance to network and meet other young leaders within the credit union system who have the same passion as you do for making positive change.

Are you ready to take the next step? 

To be eligible to apply for a position on the CUYLM Executive, applicants must:

• Be prepared to be fully engaged in committee meetings, in executing our action plans, and during social networking events;

• Be 37 years old or less on January 1, 2020;

• Not have previously served as a member of the committee; and

• Attain full support from your direct manager/supervisor.
  

Applications are available on our website: https://www.cuylm.com/join-executive

Deadline to apply is November 30th, 2020.

Application Review & Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by the current CUYLM executive committee. The committee strives to establish an executive committee that is comprised of engaged and active young leaders while also balancing the need for proportionate representation across credit unions, including size and geographical location (rural vs. urban).  In the instance where there are two candidates who are equally qualified for the position, preference may be given to the candidate whose credit union is not yet represented on the committee.

Please direct any questions to: cuylm@cucm.mb.ca

CUYLM is excited to offer a free webinar, presented by Sandra McDowell.

About the Speaker:
Sandra McDowell, CEO, eLeadership Academy

A trusted authority on the application of neuroscience for leadership, Sandra McDowell is the founder of the eLeadership Academy™. She is on a mission to bridge the gap between brain research, human behaviour, and 21st Century leadership.

About the Content:
Balanced Leadership: Leading with Heart and Backbone

Heart of gold or backbone of steel? Effective leaders have both. In this session, Sandra explains why leading with both heart and backbone has never been more important. In order to do their best work, people need empathic leaders who foster trust and safety while courageously facing uncertainty. In this session you'll learn about the neuroscience of the social brain, the importance of courageous leadership, and techniques for handling difficult conversations. You'll also receive an online assessment to determine your balance of heart and backbone, along with take-away strategies you can use to strengthen your leadership impact.

Details:

Date: Wednesday, December 2nd
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm CST
Cost: Complimentary

Please register by November 30th, 2020.
REGISTER HERE

If you requires assistance with registering please contact Jo-Elle Early.

Coming into 2020, I was excited for what the year would bring. There were countless changes coming into my life. My wife is pregnant, we had recently moved to a new community, and we were excited to meet and interact with our new neighbors. And the Jets were on the edge of the playoff picture! Then, the COVID-19 health crisis began to unfold around the world. By the middle of March, we were seeing and feeling the impacts of the global pandemic in some form.

As leaders, we found ourselves immersed in a new world of daily meetings focused on new scenarios. We made plans to ensure the health and well-being of our employees and members, and worked on new methods of delivering service and working together. As I reflect on my experience as a leader navigating these uncharted waters over the past few months, here are some personal takeaways I would like to share.

1. The pandemic has affected everyone in a different way

As the health, financial, and other impacts of the pandemic began to unfold, I realized the importance of prioritizing mental health and well-being. Faced with new situations and uncertainty, we were all experiencing stress in various ways. For example, we heeded public health advice and refrained from visiting loved ones to prioritize everyone’s safety.  As for many of you, this affected me personally, as I have people in my life who are on a timeline and I am not sure how long that timeline is.

Knowing that everyone was faced with new challenges, I wanted to ensure CUYLM committee members were putting their mental well-being above all else, and decided to cancel our regularly scheduled monthly call. We encouraged committee members to lean on one another for support and advice on how to manage new situations at work and at home. We prioritized supporting our families, loved ones, members and communities.

2. Our capacity to change and adapt is greater that we think.

From virtual meetings to e-signatures and having employees work from home, things changed very quickly in a matter of days. I am the type of person who always questions why things are done the way they are done. Earlier this winter my father and I went on an ice fishing trip. I stopped at four establishments in search of a fishing licence and asked myself, ‘why can’t I purchase a fishing licence online?’ Adapting to the pandemic meant embracing virtual technology across many industries, and guess what? You can now purchase a fishing licence online.

Our committee re-connected (virtually) after a brief pause, and we, too, needed to adapt. Our first virtual meeting was a great stress relief as we caught up, joked around, and heard perspectives on how credit unions were adapting to the new environment. It wasn’t long before we realized that we would need to find new ways of delivering experiences that were traditionally delivered as large, in-person events, which seem to be a distant memory. Our challenge: re-think the Think Tank that was planned for early June!

CUYLM hosts events like these to inspire, connect, and engage with young leaders in the credit union system. I am a credit union nerd through and through, and thoroughly enjoy meeting and getting to know young leaders at these events.

The committee started brainstorming, and it wasn’t long before we were on the path of something completely new. We are still working out the details, but Manitoba young leaders can expect to hear more about the chance to engage with us in a new way in the fall of 2020!

3. Cherish the connections in your life.

I used to come home after a long workweek, exhausted, and ready to relax. Then, my wife would say “we are meeting with so and so tonight”. After a long week, I would have much rather stayed in for the evening. Now, after being stuck at home, I crave that human interaction. I took those times for granted. Connecting with others is one of the great joys in life. Looking forward, I know I will cherish the times with friends, family, co-workers, and new acquaintances.

While working with CUYLM and in the credit union system I have had the opportunity to meet and connect with so many amazing people across Manitoba and Canada. This new website was designed as a place to encourage those important connections. It is a place where credit union employees can read, learn, and engage with other system leaders. We are stronger together.

As a committee, we are challenging ourselves to get creative, not be scared to fail, and to try new things, while delivering engaging and relevant content to our supporters. We have been able to deliver on important items as set out in our strategic plan (like our bursary program and this new website), despite working in uncharted territory.

I want to send a huge shout out to Credit Union Central of Manitoba and CUYLM Executive Committee member Carla Toews for being instrumental in the new website design. Thank you!

We have a number of exciting things planned for the year ahead, so please subscribe to our mailing list, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, and Facebook accounts for updates!

Cheers,
Bradley McEachern

Avoiding Your Knee Jerk Reaction

Beginning at the Royal Bank of Canada in 2003, Kevin Baun has climbed through the ranks in a number of positions including Call Centre Representative, Member Service Representative, Financial Advisor, Manager, and last, but certainly not least – Chief Operating Officer with Belgian Alliance Credit Union.

In his current role, Kevin is responsible for the operations of the credit union; ensuring cohesiveness, consistency, and support. In his words, making sure everyone feels like a part of the team is his greatest responsibility, noting, CULTURE EATS STRATEGY FOR BREAKFAST.

In January, 2017, Kevin joined the Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba (CUYLM) committee for a three year term – occupying roles of both Vice-Chair and Chair. In his words, the experience with CUYLM starts and ends with ‘wow’.

Kevin attributes the experience to the shared fascination of the credit union system with his committee colleagues; “It’s a fantastic opportunity to be surrounded by like-minded people who dare to dream of a better system, and a better way to support everyone who’s in it.”

Kevin also listed the benefits of running for the Vice-Chair/Chair role in saying it opens your eyes to even more elements of the system, and an aspect of leadership that would otherwise be unavailable.

With nearly twenty years’ experience within the financial industry, Kevin notes the biggest lesson he has learned is to avoid his knee jerk reaction.

“If you can accept that you can learn how to modify the impression others have of you, and you do it, both parties will be better for it.”

This is where Kevin attributes his success – learning and accepting that the only person he has control over is himself. Going on to explain further, he says:

“When colleagues bring a certain situation (positive or negative) to my attention, I rarely say anything – rather, I ask a question. If I feel strongly for either side of the situation, my first instinct is to jump in, and solve the problem. However, I’ve recently learned the stronger you feel about something the less likely you are to change.”

Kevin calls these moments pulse checks, and says they occur daily.

When asked his number one piece of advice for young leaders emerging in the Credit Union System his answers were, be a life-long learner and discover your why.

“Never stop learning. Never. You’ll be better for it for yourself, family, friends, and co-workers. The more you learn, the more you understand, and the more you grow.”

He goes on to say, “Two people can often do the same thing, but not with the same level of authenticity and members/customers can tell – so identify your WHY. Why do you do what you do?”

Kevin notes that people prescribe to why you do what you do, and not what you do, mentioning, authenticity is key in putting your best foot forward.

Meet, Randy Dagasdas – Interim CEO with Me-Dian Credit Union, CUYLM executive, and aspiring MD. Of course, if you ask him, he’ll be adamant that ship has sailed.

Randy has been in the credit union system for ten years, and in the financial industry for 17. He has occupied roles from Call Centre Representative and Financial Account Manager to Manager of Personal Lending and now, Interim CEO.

For Randy, his university degree took seven years to complete.

“I never took a full course load. I always worked. At one point, I had seven jobs. My first year of university, I would work from midnight to 8 a.m., go home, shower, and go straight to class.”

It is said that the rate of learning should always be greater than the rate of change – so how do I ensure I am continuously learning?

“It’s quite simple – it’s easier to believe that you are growing when you surround yourself with individuals who are not. So surround yourself with motivated individuals that want to make a difference.”

For Randy, this rings true as he has completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, his Executive MBA, and is currently focused on his Canadian Risk Management designation. Having immigrated to Canada from the Philippines when he was just 15, Randy attributes his work ethic to a grateful heart.

My standards are higher because my reasons are bigger – it is an opportunity to live in Canada.”

A big believer in having a personal strategic plan, Randy believes long term relationships have been and will continue to be his strategic plan.

“We always come up with business strategies for the credit union, why not for ourselves?”

Randy notes, people often go to events and try to network and connect with as many people as they can, while he applies himself to one or two networking relationships and makes the possible friendship his focus – connections he’s certain will last.

“I am a fairly private person, and so long term relationships are truly important to me. We have leaders in our system who are incredibly welcoming and it has been my mission to seek out those individuals – the genuine leaders that promote and nurture relationships. Those are the people you want to connect and grow with.”

Randy joined the Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba committee in January, 2018. In his words:

“CUYLM and the Credit Union system have both been very good to me.”

As Randy places a lot of emphasis on self-development (both as a person and educationally), he has found that making connections with other members of the committee has benefited him immensely.

“I can always pick up the phone and call around for help when I need it, and the reason I can do that is because once I make a connection with someone, I work to keep it.”

The CUYLM committee continues to stress the importance of friendships in networking, and making those connections count.

Investing in the development of young credit union leaders is not only beneficial to the employee, but to the system as a whole, because you are not just investing in a person; you are investing in the long-term security, stability, and growth of future credit unions. An initiative like CUYLM is important because it provides future leaders the opportunity to expand their networks and gain a deeper understanding of the system issues while working collaboratively to help find solutions.

If you know a way to make the world a better place and can help prepare people for what is ahead, we have a responsibility to share it with people, who will then pass it along to others. This knowledge sharing is why CUYLM was such an instrumental part of my career. I was fortunate to have a leader within my credit union invest in me and support my professional growth, which has given me the tools I needed to get to where I am today.

Being a part of the Executive Committee with CUYLM allowed me to be a part of something beyond my credit union, helped enlighten me to the challenges, and showed me the opportunities available. I had the opportunity to advocate on behalf of the system with Parliament in Ottawa, facilitate working groups with executives and board members of our credit union, and gain valuable leadership development training through the CUYLM-hosted Think Tanks and conferences. All of this continues to benefit me today.

I’m excited about the potential of the young leaders I know today. They are authentic, bright, and curious. If we do our part to help them get ready, the future will be in good hands.

Former CUYLM Executive Committee member
Dawn Borges, Director, Member and Employee Experience
Crosstown Civic Credit Union

CONVINCE YOUR BOSS TO SEND YOU TO A CONFERENCE

Conferences are an important way to learn new skills and strategies and make new connections. The trouble is that most of us don’t have the authority or freedom to send ourselves to conferences. That decision usually lies with a manager. To attend a conference, you need to do your research, present the benefits, and make it easy for your boss to say “yes.” Here’s some tips on how to make your case. Read Entire Article Here

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR EXPERIENCE

There are a lot of benefits of attending conferences in addition to networking and listening to speakers. Here are some tips to help you use conferences to achieve personal, professional, and business goals. Read Entire Article Here.

LEVERAGE YOUR LEARNING: HOLD A POST-CONFERENCE DEBRIEF

Many benefits are lost when the conference ends because participants don’t take what they learned back to their teams. Position yourself as a leader by creating an informative proposal to share your findings. Read Entire Article Here

FOLLOW UP, CONNECT AND PERSONALISE

Actively follow up with fellow attendees and stakeholders via professional social platforms as well as emails to help maintain the connections you made. These very same connections can prove to be invaluable in the future. Read Entire Article Here:

HELP YOUR ENTIRE WORKPLACE BENEFIT

When it comes to conferences, a better slogan would be, “What happens in Vegas should NOT stay in Vegas.” If you’re one of the fortunate people from your organization to attend a professional conference, how can you bring it back to the workplace so everyone can benefit? Read Entire Article Here.

MAKING THE MOST OF WHAT YOU LEARNED

Going to a conference is always exciting and inspiring. Speakers will share tons of ideas and attendees will often finish the day feeling ready to try a lot of new things. Here’s some tips for making the most of what you learned. Read Entire Article Here.

Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba (CUYLM) is proud to officially launch the very first Manitoba Credit Union Student Bursary Contest! The purpose of the contest is to support post-secondary students who are credit union members by offering a chance to win a bursary for school, and improve the visibility of Manitoba credit unions to students (members and prospective members).

How It Works:
Students are asked to create and share a brief video (30-60 seconds) explaining what they love about credit unions, and how a $500 bursary would make a difference for them. Up to 10 bursaries of $500 each will be awarded! The contest is open until February 28, 2020.

Find Out More:
The full details, including instructions and contest rules, can be found on the contest webpage, on creditunion.mb.ca.

Spread the Word:
Manitoba Credit Unions are encouraged to spread the word about this contest. Here's how you can get involved:

• Familiarize yourself with the contest and spread the word to students in your branch or in your wider circle of influence.

• Download this poster and post it in your branches/offices/member areas.

• Share promotional content for the contest on social media. Click on your preferred platform to download the content: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

• Display a promotional banner on your credit union's website. If you would like a banner in a custom size, please let us know.
  Download a banner:  960x300  |  1200x430

• Use our contest hashtag, #culearn2020 If you have any questions that aren't addressed on the contest website, please email CUYLM (cuylm@cucm.org)