Growing Membership Focus of Hawaiian PALS Workshop

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA Board Member Debbie Matz recently announced the agenda for her upcoming Partnering and Leadership Successes workshop slated to follow CUNA’s Future Forum. The Oct. 27 workshop, entitled “New Ideas to Reach New Members,” will take place in Honolulu at the conclusion of CUNA’s Future Forum. CUNA and the Hawaii Credit Union League are co-hosting the workshop with NCUA. “This unique workshop is inspired by a wide range of initiatives that have been successful in attracting new members from all walks of life,” Matz explained. “Our panelists come from small and large credit unions serving diverse fields of membership all around the country. These credit union leaders will present initiatives that can help more credit unions diversify their memberships and their assets while strengthening safety and soundness.” The first panel will cover “Ideas to Get New Members in Your Door.” It will include Ka’u FCU CEO Bernard Balsis, Suncoast Schools FCU (Fla.) CEO Tom Dorety, Shreveport (La.) FCU CEO Helen Godfrey, and American Association of Credit Union Leagues Chairman Paul Mercer, president of the Ohio Credit Union League. CUNA Chairman and Texas Credit Union League President Dick Ensweiler will serve as facilitator. Panelists will discuss efforts to place branches in member businesses and attract new members with check-cashing, risk-based loans, and trust services. The second panel will share “Ideas to Help Members Build Wealth,” to help credit unions keep their members. Panelists will discuss how they have created partnerships to provide financial education, affordable mortgages, small business loans, and free income tax assistance. Numerica Credit Union (Wash.) CEO Dennis Cutter, Andrews FCU (Md.) CEO Michael Hale, U.S. FCU (Minn.) CEO Bill Raker, and New World FCU (Calif.) CEO Patricia Wagner will serve as panelists. Hawaii Credit Union League President Dennis Tanimoto will facilitate the panel discussion. Afterwards, CUNA will host a luau where participants can continue sharing ideas. “It’s not just the topics of the workshop that will make it innovative,” Matz stated. “It’s also the networking. I believe that credit union officials on the Hawaiian Islands and the mainland could learn a great deal by sharing their ideas with each other.” To register for the free PALS workshop visit www.ncua.gov, click on upcoming events and then Oct. 27, Honolulu. [email protected]