Disney for credit unions 3: Stay true to your company’s mission and values

It all started in a church. The church needed someone to draw pictures for their events, so the minister decided to hire a young dreamer who needed a job and a place to live. And so the young man, by the name of Walt Disney, began working in a dusty, mouse infested studio.

Years later as Disney spent time reflecting on his many success he said this: “I hope that we never lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse.”

I hope your credit union hasn’t lost sight of its mission and values. Somewhere, decades ago in the back of a plant or a small house your credit union was formed by the very same thing on which Disney founded his company: dreams.

There were blue-collar workers, teachers, policeman and others who were being overlooked by mainstream financial institutions. Yet these people had dreams. Names and circumstances varied, but the story is the same. A dream to help their friends and coworkers achieve their personal dreams through the pooling together of personal money.

Somewhere along the way, many of us have lost sight on why we were founded. Through a community charter or the daily grind of regulators beating us down, we did the opposite of what Disney did. He never forgot that his success all began with a mouse.

Take some time to reflect on your humble heritage, and make it a routine to share stories with members and staff. Remind them why and how you were started, and that though delivery channels may change and products and service may vary, you still exist to serve those who need it the most.