Credit Union Reality Check On Youth Education

Josh Allison, CUDE, Founder and Chief Ideator, Think Cafe Consulting

I was asked to speak at a local Jump $tart Conference here in my hometown last week along with another credit union advocate. In a room filled with banks and only two credit union representatives, the two of us shared best practices regarding youth financial literacy to a room full of bankers and their respective Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Officers.

It was kind of ironic that the bank CRA Officers came to learn about youth financial literacy and ended up quietly learning from their credit union counterparts. This was encouraging to me that the credit union difference is very much alive and we continue to lead the way in community development.

However, it was also a reminder to me that youth education, alone, will not adequately demonstrate the credit union difference. As we move into our fall school outreach, be proud of what we do for our communities, but remember that many of those “evil bankers” that we like to poke fun at will be working in classrooms right down the hall from us.

Josh Allison is the founder and Chief Ideator for Think Café, a CU consulting company committed to authenticity and relevance. He is a passionate public speaker and has been invited to present on a number of topics related to youth outreach, relationship management and cu philosophy. His youth and business development programs have garnered national awards and recognitions, and he has been cited in the CU Times and multiple cu blogs for his innovation and ideas. www.joshaallison.blogspot.com

Josh Allison

Josh Allison

Josh Allison is the founder and Chief Ideator for Think Café and a Senior Consultant for FI-Strategies, LLC. He has spoken and worked with organizations from Hawaii to New York ... Web: www.fi-strategies.com Details