updated 07/21/11 01:40 PM WCMS KICKS OFF 50th CELEBRATION CU Professionals Tackle Challenges and Opportunities It was anyone’s guess five decades ago what the founding of Western CUNA Management School would yield, but a crowd of aspiring students, credit union veterans, and engaging speakers proved the school’s widespread success when they converged Wednesday to spotlight the movement’s confidence in taking on the next 50 years through bold and inspiring leadership.   L-R: Michael Steinberger, dean of Western CUNA Management School; Jim Likens, president of WCMS; and Stan Hollen, president and CEO of CO-OP Financial Services Inc.   More than 150 credit union professionals networked extensively during the first day of the school’s special two-day 50th anniversary celebration at Pomona College in Claremont, CA. Everyone was excited to see each other after many years. Alumni and current students mingled and engaged in deep discussions that seemed to epitomize WCMS’s mantra of “employees enter, leaders emerge.” Although these credit union professionals were acutely aware of changing dynamics in the industry and world, they focused on WCMS President James Likens’ theme of “adaptability” during his speech. Even as the economic, political, and social environments continue changing, credit unions have always been able to adapt and contribute to the future success of American consumers, he said. He gave a thorough history of how credit unions have adapted over the years, referencing significant events. Mark Meyer, CEO of Filene Research Institute, and Michael Steinberger   “Some things change. Other things don’t change. But through it all, we have to be adaptable,” Likens said as he addressed the opening general session audience. “Everyone must realize that there is a world that you operate in, then it changes, and then you adapt. The world needed smarter people and more adaptable people, and that’s where WCMS came in. We don’t train—we educate.” Likens described the significant impact WCMS made on credit union leaders over the past 50 years. The school has consistently maintained a curriculum relevant to the industry, while addressing niche issues credit unions face. L-R: Nicole Valentin-Smith, senior vice president of retail sales for Xceed Financial FCU; Steven Langley, vice president of sales, services, and training for Travis CU; Teresa Freeborn, president and CEO of Xceed Financial FCU; Tina McMinn, vice president of operations for Stanford FCU; and Kathryn Davis, senior vice president of marketing and human resources for Xceed Financial FCU   He said he was “honored and humbled” by his students’ success, and thanked them for attending the momentous occasion. Other speakers included:   L-R: Carol Payne, vice president of communications and marketing for the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues; John Annaloro, president and CEO of Northwest Credit Union Association; and Larry Sharp, WCMS alumni and former president and CEO of Arrowhead CU.   Michael Steinberger, dean of WCMS Stan Hollen, president and CEO of CO-OP Financial Services Inc. Harry Eggleton, president of Emergent Consulting and WCMS faculty member Mark Meyer, CEO of Filene Research Institute Martha Andresen, English professor for Pomona College David Tansey, business ethics speaker for the Josephson Institution of Ethics “If you have someone in your credit union that you want to come here, we want to find a way for them to attend, for they are the future of the movement,” Steinberger said. “Credit unions are more relevant today than ever. We’ve gone through a lot. We have the answers. You are the answer.”   Harry Eggleton, President of Emergent Consulting and WCMS faculty member   Hollen said WCMS’s 50th anniversary celebration is a worthy achievement that CO-OP Financial Services is proud to be sponsoring. “This is by far one of the most prestigious events,” he added. “We should all be proud to celebrate. We’re proud of the school and its students.” While talking about different generations of students and graduates, Eggleton reminded the audience about the importance of “measuring generations in the right way in order to effectively show the value of others.” He reminisced on what New York senator and 1968 presidential candidate Robert Kennedy once said about appropriately sizing up professionals and the situations they’re faced with—and in doing so, individuals oftentimes measure the wrong aspects. “We measure things, but are we measuring the right things?” Eggleton said. He touched on how—for the first time in history—four generations populate the workplace today, with each “enculturated” into its own version of rewards, accountability, commitment, values, and work ethic. These perspectives can either cause clashes or constructive connections, which makes measuring and motivating important when managing employees. Meyer ended the day during a dinner speech on leveraging the credit union difference. He spoke on dealing with uncertainties, while giving seven points of action credit union leaders should home in on: celebrating the power of patronage; telling your story; leveraging trust; gaining community recognition; creating a compelling value proposition; innovating cooperatively; and collaborating together to create a brand. With uncertain challenges ahead, it’s going to take “action and leadership” to see the credit union movement through those obstacles. He noted how 60 percent of consumers trust cooperatives more than investor-owned entities, and how credit unions are consistently ranked No. 1 for service. There are a variety of ways credit unions can accentuate their collaboration and leverage their superior service for differentiating the movement in the eyes of consumers during this post-recession environment, he said, while adding, “those who are crazy enough to change the world will.” WCMS was founded at UCLA in Los Angeles, originally named CUNA District 4 School for Credit Union Personnel. It moved to Pomona College in 1972. From its humble beginnings to today, the school increasingly became highly regarded among those inside and outside of the credit union industry for preparing professionals for the future.     © 2010 California Credit Union League