May 14 – 16, 2024
Hosted by the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation
in collaboration with the National Credit Union Foundation
The National Credit Union Foundation’s Exploring Why™
The National Foundation’s Exploring Why™ is an experiential training program to support and engage employees through connecting to the credit union difference and discovering new and improved ways to drive value for their members and credit unions. Exploring Why is intended for all credit union employees regardless of tenure.
The training program will be held virtually over Zoom in 2-hour sessions over three days. There is NO COST to attend but advance registration is required. The meeting will be recorded and distributed to all registered attendees following the conclusion of the workshop.
For any questions, please reach out to Lauren Whaley at [email protected] or Jeff Hardin at [email protected].
The workshop will be conducted by Tobi Weingart and Danielle Harris with the National Credit Union Foundation.
3-Day Agenda - Virtual
Day 1 - May 14
| Time | Topic | Key Objectives / Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 – 9:30 | Welcome & Introductions | • Opening remarks / Virtual workshop details • Introductions – Facilitators / The Foundation • Discuss the importance of “why” • BREAKOUT DISCUSSION: How did you end up working in CUs? (10 min) |
| 9:30 – 9:50 | Balance between CU Business and Social Mission | • BREAKOUT ACTIVITY: People or Profit (20 min) • Reflect the pendulum between serving members and meeting needs of bottom line • What does this look like in discussions, situations, and strategies within your organization? • What factors swing an org to prioritize one over the other |
| 10:00 – 11:00 | The CU Difference + the Co-op Principles | • Who do we consider our competition? How do we differentiate ourselves? • Review CU vs Banks / Co-ops vs Corporations • Review the 8 Cooperative Principles – these define who we are • Learn about the CU movement with the “Onion” model • BREAKOUT DISCUSSION: How do you see these principles reflected at your CU? (15 min) |
Day 2 - May 15
| Time | Topic | Key Objectives / Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 – 10:00 | CU History | • Share your CU original member story • Discuss origins of the CU movement and key historical events • Continuation into contemporary CU history • Key lessons from our past • BREAKOUT DISCUSSION: Who was your CU’s original member? What were their needs? |
| 10:00 – 11:00 | Credit Union Champions | • BREAKOUT ACTIVITY: (digital) CU Champion cards - learn key CU champions and accomplishments • Reflect on champions. Who are our current day champions? What are they doing to carry forward the CU mission? |
Day 3 - May 16
| Time | Topic | Key Objectives / Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00-9:45 | The Challenge: Financial Well-Being for All | • BREAKOUT DISCUSSION: Challenges members face today? (15 min) • Shattering perceptions: What does the financial well-being of American families and communities look like? • Overview of financial well-being • What does this mean for your CU? |
| 9:45 – 10:30 | Solutions Through Empathy | • Understanding different perspectives + unfamiliar challenges • Use and value of empathy BREAKOUT DISCUSSION: How are you applying empathy back at your CU? |
| 10:30-10:50 | Your Purpose + One Thing | • The balance between purpose and burnout – where are you? where are your colleagues? Members? • Review of why + value exercise (already done as team) • What is one action you can take over today’s session |
| 10:50-11:00 | Wrap Up | • Reflection and connections; debrief actions attendees can takeaway |
About the Presenters:
Tobi Weingart, M.Ed., CUDE, CUHRCP
A leader in human resources development, facilitation and learning design, Tobi Weingart is the Chief Program Officer at the National Credit Union Foundation. At the Foundation, she designs, develops, implements, and facilitates the Foundation’s Credit Union Development EducationTM (CUDETM), Exploring EmpathyTM, Exploring Our ValuesTM and Exploring WhyTM education programs, where participants discover and engage with the impact of credit unions through the lens of the credit union movement’s principles and philosophies. She also leads the strategy and implementation of the Foundation’s Workshop program that immerses credit union professionals in one or more of the 12 Development Issues that can challenge people’s ability to achieve their financial well-being.
Tobi joined The Foundation from the Credit Union National Association, where she led, developed, and delivered CUNA’s Creating Member LoyaltyTM solution, along with designing CUNA’s Experience Learning Live; CUNA’s Coaching Leadership School; CUNA’s Member Experience School, and launching CUNA’s Certified Credit Union Facilitator School in 2021. Her time in the credit union movement also includes 8 years at Educators Credit Union (WI) where she started off as a teller and spent most of her credit union career in Human Resources supporting and leading Organizational Development.
Tobi obtained her Master’s in Education in Human Resources Development from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and executive education certification from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business in Strategic Human Resources Planning. She is a 2021 graduate of Filene’s prestigious i3 program. She is a member of CUNA’s inaugural DEI advisory committee.
Danielle Harris, PhD, PMP, CUDE
Danielle Harris joined the National Credit Union Foundation in December 2023 from a career in higher education. After earning a doctorate in leadership and community development at Texas A&M University, she began her career as a faculty member and administrator. There, she focused on student success, youth development and risk management. Along the way, she transitioned into program and project management with AgriLife Extension as a certified project manager. She has facilitated trainings and taught courses in learning theory, leadership & community development, diversity and inclusion as well as serving as a trained mediator. Danielle earned her CUDE designation with the Foundation in Feb 2024.