HARRISBURG, Penn.-The Pennsylvania CU Association's annual Youth Ambassador contest has helped hundreds of young adults launch their CU careers, with two participants eventually becoming CEOs and one chairman of the Pennsylvania league.
Wendy Kingsland, a contestant in 1991, is CEO of Visionary FCU, in Bridgeville, Penn. Carrie Wood, now CEO of Timberland FCU in DuBois, Penn., participated in the 2000 contest. Michael Kaczenski, PCUA's immediate past chairman, took part in the 1990 event.
In place since 1976, the Youth Ambassador contest each year challenges about 75 young adults to compete for the honor of becoming the league's Youth Ambassador for a year. Along the way the program teaches the history, philosophy, and operations of credit unions, said Communications Specialist Janet Johnson, coordinator of the event.
"Participants gain a wealth of experience in meeting and interacting with other people," she said. "They improve their public speaking, learn what credit unions are about and understand the CU philosophy. These are skills that bring career opportunities."
Start Spreading The News
Ambassadors represent the league and credit unions throughout the year at statewide events. They are also charged with spreading the word about credit unions to the state's young adults.
Contestants, ages 17 to 25, first participate in contests held at CU chapters. Winners move on to the state final, held each year at the league's annual meeting. Johnson said typically 12 to 15 chapters participate. Contestants must be a CU member. Mike Williams, director of business development for Widget FCU in Erie, is the 2013 Youth Ambassador and was named in May during the league's meeting in Hershey.
Contestants are judged based on their knowledge of credit union history, philosophy and current issues, as well as on their personality, appearance, and ability to communicate. Finalists conclude the contest by each giving a two-minute speech about credit unions to attendees at the annual meeting. A panel of judges selected from inside and outside the CU industry choose the winner.
Candidates Get Better
Johnson, who has been part of the program since it began, said contestants each year are getting stronger. "Candidates just get better and, as a result, the contest is harder to judge. We are seeing some very skilled youth move into credit unions, which is an important aspect of the Youth Ambassador program-to interject the best and brightest into our industry."
PCUA SVP Mike Wishnow says the program indicates to CUs in the state that the league is focused on bringing talented young employees into credit unions. "It shows we understand that the young people of today are tomorrow's CU leaders."
Wishnow said that the network of contestants each year is growing the pool of young adults in Pennsylvania who spread the word about credit unions. "These young folks network and network, through friends and through social media. The contest is sending a clear signal across the state that credit unions want sharp young leaders entering the fold."
