In their latest initiative to unite credit unions across the world in a movement toward greater financial transparency and positive community impact, Unitus has sent two employees to Hamilton, NZ to experience a 2-week intensive exchange program.
“Credit unions across the globe are doing some very creative and inspirational things to make a lasting and meaningful impact on their communities,” remarked Jason Werts, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Unitus. “This exchange program allows our employees to see some of these efforts first-hand and bring back new ideas that will allow us to better serve our community in ways that US-based credit unions haven’t yet discovered.”
Serving in his capacity as chairman of the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) Board of Directors, Unitus President and CEO Steve Stapp organized the exchange with First Credit Union General Manager Simon Scott. “In this enlightening exchange program, our team not only gets to learn about a new culture, but we also get the opportunity to share best practices that will strengthen both credit unions,” said Stapp.
The two Unitus employees making the trip are Char Sears, Assistant Vice President and Remote Experience Manager, and Gigi Gardner, Organizational Development Consultant. They’ll spend two business weeks working at First Credit Union’s Hamilton, NZ headquarters, visiting a number of branches to meet teams and capture operational best practices, and experiencing the local community culture.
“Seeing how New Zealand’s first and largest credit union is supporting its communities will be fascinating. Learning about their growth strategy and service model, as well as the employee culture will be exciting,” said Sears. “I’m really looking forward,” Gardner added, “to learning about First Credit Union’s employee and talent development programs. Also, their corporate culture and how they help their community. Our hosts will be taking us on cultural trips as well as to different branches and towns. I’m very excited to see New Zealand! “It’s exciting that it is not ‘all work,’” Sears continued, “but really a full immersion into the New Zealand culture through different activities, such as visiting a Maori village and participating in community volunteer activities.”
Aside from the leadership presentations and strategic discussions, Unitus’ duo will experience cultural highlights including a meet-and-greet with the mayor of Hamilton, a 3-hour guided tour and cultural performance in Whakarewarewa Village, and the opportunity to help out at First Credit Union’s Family Fun Day as part of the annual Balloons over Waikato Festival.
Unitus will host a pair of employees from First Credit Union at their headquarters in downtown Portland this October.
