Helping organizations continue their mission through development of skills and knowledge

At the age of seven, the only profession I considered was a princess or superhero. While I didn’t know what I would become as an adult, I knew that I would stand, fists dug into my hips, with my hair blowing in the wind. I wanted to help someone. I volunteered at local charities, became one heck of a crossing guard at Wares Ferry Elementary, and loved helping people pick out gifts for others during Christmas at the Gap. I never set out to change the world; I liked helping people in small ways, one at a time.

As a loan officer at MAX, I saw the difference we were making in the lives of individual members. Holding hands with a widow during a difficult time or high-fiving a student buying their first car put me on that mountaintop, hair whipping in the wind, just as I imagined as a kid. It is about human relationships that can only be formed by walking together in life.

I have had incredible opportunities to learn our business through my role in leading strategic projects and planning, working toward an MBA, and attending the CUES Strategic Innovation Institute. Among my favorite initiatives, I led the formation our volunteerism program in 2014. Back to the mountaintop, I thought! We partnered with local organizations that were doing incredible things in our communities. We built houses, played basketball at a community center, taught financial wellness, and mentored kids in schools. Through our volunteer work, we met James. James began a community group to help young men who needed a fresh start and clear direction. He had courage, passion, and vision.  His non-profit organization was showing impact through reduced crime and higher graduation rates and he was working tirelessly to continue the growth. We chatted causally about his vision and he shared something that I had never considered: James was doing this with a small group of volunteers, not a boardroom full of seasoned professionals enjoying the benefit of collective thinking or varied experience.  James was the real superhero, bravely putting his energy into an organization that enriches the lives of others. This was the same drive that launched the credit union movement. Immediately, I knew that I was destined to be an incredible sidekick!

 

continue reading »