WHITEFISH, Mont.-Many credit unions talk about reaching out to younger people to address a graying membership, but Whitefish Credit Union has taken a decisive step by forming a junior board of directors.
The junior board consists of seven high school students-three 11th graders and four 12th graders. Sue Schenck, business development director for $1.2-billion credit union, said the group was modeled after WCU's existing board, which likewise has seven members. She told Credit Union Journal the idea for having a junior board has been around for a while, but going from concept to action was challenging, as schools are protective of students.
"Part of the credit union movement is education, and we are very excited to work with the young people who will take us into the future," she said. "Since this is our inaugural run we are experiencing a learning curve, but we are interested in all the thoughts the junior board members have about their generation and how they do business. These people were practically born with cellphones in their hands, and they have a lot of information and we are anxious to hear it."
When the credit union was ready to put together a junior board it contacted Whitefish High School, where it has a liaison, Jeremy Anderson, one of the instructors.
"Jeremy is just wonderful and he worked with us to develop the board," she recalled. "We wanted students with leadership ability, academic acumen and community involvement, and the students we got are high achievers. They might even be overachievers."
First Up, A History Lesson
At its first meeting the junior board elected three officers: a chairman, vice chairman and secretary. The monthly meetings are conducted based on Robert's Rules of Order, and include a guest speaker from the credit union, beginning with teaching the students about the 77-year history of Whitefish CU and its place in the communities of northwest Montana.
Schenck said the meetings are held at the credit union in its actual board room.
"We have introduced the junior board members to our different departments and the different personalities that exist in each department," she said. "We show them what it is like to operate in a credit union environment."
In addition to holding monthly meetings, the junior board is asked to write articles for WCU's newsletter and implement a community service project. Schenck said the subject of the project is left up to the students, although they were given guidance that some areas lend themselves well, such as helping the elderly or the very young, animal welfare, the homeless or the environment.
"These students are interested in a project that incorporates a healthy lifestyle, possibly addressing junior high students about eating better, exercising and going to the dentist," she said. "They are working on a presentation to the school to ask permission to speak to the students."
Although the junior board program is still in its early stages, Schenck said the concept is "really exciting."
"The population is aging, and it is important to educate and to develop new leaders," she said. "We are in a relatively small community, but membership is available to the four northwest counties in Montana and we have grown to become the largest credit union in Montana."
Meet the Junior Board
Hailey Vasquez is a senior and president of the Honor Society at Whitefish High School. She serves as chairperson of the junior board, and says she's excited to work with WCU and learn more about the inner workings of a credit union.
"I knew very little about WCU before I joined this program," said Vasquez. "I was definitely surprised by its size and the depth of its workings. It is very impressive for such a small town."
Junior board member Joseph Perry also is a WHS senior and is the school's student body president. He's kept a 4.0 grade point average throughout high school and hopes to one day have a career working with lasers. Perry says he already has learned a number of new things about the credit union.
"Before being on the junior board of directors, WCU was just the place where my money stayed," said Perry. "Now, WCU has a face and is more personal. I have begun to learn what makes WCU tick, what makes it special, and how we can help it grow."
Also serving on WCU's junior board are seniors Ally Pickeral and Abby Wagner, the board's vice chair. Whitefish High School's junior class is represented by Kelsey McFeely, Perrey Sobba, board secretary, and Rachelle Brown.
The junior board of directors will continue meeting monthly until the end of the school year.
