NEW YORK The National Federation of Community Development CUs this week is piloting a “Cooperative Finance Leaders of America” program that brings together 11 fellows for a week of intensive training at the Federation's headquarters here in Lower Manhattan.
According to the Federation, the fellows are placed with Federation member credit unions to promote and grow the future leaders of the credit union movement. “A major focus for many fellows will be expanding community outreach to attract more and younger members,” the Federation said.
The Federation's Pamela Owens, VP of Programs, designed the curriculum in conjunction with Kevin McQueen and Charles Allison, professors at the New School's Milano School of Public Policy and the Community Development Finance Lab. Training includes a broad range of subjects, from risk management and internal controls to loan origination and underwriting, marketing and branding.
The goal of CFLA is to develop leaders who will go on to create community finance solutions that are relevant to all members of the community, including young members. “This is vital to the continued growth of the credit union movement, because awareness of credit unions among Millennials is so low,” the Federation said.
