NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Credit unions are driving away complacency and promoting a sense of urgency using four key strategies, NAFCU President/CEO Dan Berger said during the trade association's annual conference general session Wednesday morning. The conference, which features the theme Get Up and Move, continues through Friday at Music City Center here.

Berger provided examples of how credit unions dare to stand out, innovate, give members something to talk about and hustle, following visits to more than 300 credit unions in 18 months.

The $615 million Orion Federal Credit Union in Memphis, Tenn., led by President Daniel Weickenand, stands out by giving back to its community, Berger said. In the last five years, Orion has grown from 40,000 members with an average age of 55 to 60,000 members with an average age in the mid-40s. Loan growth increased more than 40% over the last two years. Weickenand credited those stats to the credit union's charitable efforts. They included:

• At one elementary school, nearly one-third of the children weren't attending school because they didn't have decent clothes, shoes or school supplies. Orion donated 350 backpacks containing school supplies and much-needed clothing.
• Orion was a key sponsor of a major outdoor performing arts pavilion that hosts 53 events a year. Orion invited local nonprofits to attend and lets them speak from the stage about their cause.
• A school for disadvantaged boys had very few books in its library. Orion donated hundreds of books and purchased 32 computers.

Weickenand suggested credit unions encourage branches to adopt a school, sponsor venues that allow the credit union to recognize the work of local nonprofits and partner with organizations where credit union involvement will make a big difference.