FARMERS BRANCH, Texas-In the latest effort by the CU community to target younger people, the Texas league has launched a new program it is calling the "Texas 12."
The group is composed of a dozen "up-and-coming young credit union professionals" from different parts of the Lone Star State. Their roles at their respective CUs range from MSR to assistant branch manager to VP-operations to COO.
According to TCUL President/CEO Dick Ensweiler, the Texas 12 is expected to "proactively" offer ideas on how to bring a fresh perspective and cultivate the next generation of leaders.
"Throughout 2012 they will communicate and meet to develop and implement action plans to see their ideas put into practice," he told Credit Union Journal. "We are fortunate to have a broad range of talent on the Texas 12. Their first meeting will be at our upcoming annual meeting in Galveston, April 17-20. During the course of the week they will participate in several mentor sessions to brainstorm ideas and interact with seasoned CU execs from across Texas."
During the group's first year, the Texas 12 will meet quarterly to further develop and implement plans for cultivating young CU leaders. Ensweiler said the league intends to provide the members of the Texas 12 with "plenty of latitude" to develop their plans.
'Sparking Positive Growth'
Two of the long-term goals for the Texas 12 are to "catalyze change in the system" and "spark positive growth."
"The movement has struggled to attract and retain a younger audience," he said. "This group will bring forth ideas and a fresh perspective on how to be more successful in this endeavor. To ensure the strength of the credit union movement we must cultivate more young professionals and encourage new ideas. It is critical that we do not dictate or stifle their creativity. My hope is the Texas 12 is just the beginning of a concerted effort on behalf of the entire credit union system to actively engage future leaders."
TCUL is collaborating with the Filene Research Institute on the Texas 12 initiative. Ensweiler said the league has "long wanted to provide a forum" for young credit union professionals to network and develop ideas for affecting positive change in the credit union system. The Filene Research Institute is working with TCUL during the first year of the program as the initiative develops.
"Young professionals have a great deal to offer our movement," he said. "They simply need the opportunity to get more engaged and the forum to express their innovative ideas."
