Vote today to support a young credit union professional’s development

Today (Nov. 4, 2014, until 5 p.m. ET) you can vote for CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec. And when you do, you’ll become part of what past winners say is much more than an award—it’s a career-changing, professional development experience.

For example, 2011 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec Devin Selte says participating has “allowed me to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. … I have set forth a future goal of becoming a CEO in the credit union movement and the CCE designation (earned from attending all three segments of CEO Institute) will definitely assist me in reaching that goal.”

2012 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec Ashley Kohlrus says taking part was a great way “to get involved in the industry, network and learn from industry leaders, as well as grow professionally and personally during the process.”

CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec program, powered by Currency, includes having participants—all 35 years old or younger—identify a project they’ll work on at their credit unions, then blog, video blog and present to attendees at CUES’ CEO/Executive Team Network about it. There’s nothing like having to talk with your peers about what you’re doing; peers push you to do your best.

CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec program asks participants to undertake the same components of project success that high-level executives must consider. In all, CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec demands that our winners are thinking cross-functionally in the organization; they have to get buy-in from senior management and other functions at their credit union; then, they have to sell their ideas to leaders at other CUs—and get them to vote for them. (See sidebox, “CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec Program Prizes,” for information about the professional development prizes participants can win.)

Why has CUES hosted this program for five years? It’s because developing next-generation leadership is so important to the future of credit unions.

Young leaders grow and develop so quickly, given the opportunity. As a result, many organizations today are trying to connect with younger leaders—including some that would like to hire your best young talent away from you.

Support the development of up-and-coming CU leaders by casting your vote today for the 2014 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec. The winner will be announced live at 8:30 a.m. ET tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014.

While you’re at it, take a look around your credit union. Who are the rising stars in your organization, and what are you doing to support and motivate them?

CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec Program Prizes

• The prizes received by CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec participants promote winners’ continuing professional development.
• All applicants receive a free, one-year CUES NextGen Membership.
• The top 15 entrants receive a remote coaching session from DDJ Myers, which underwrites the program.
• The five finalists each receive aCUES reward package valued at approximately $6,000, including economy airfare, accommodations and registration to attend CUES’ CEO/Executive Team Network, where they make their final presentation of the competition; two additional coaching sessions; and a standout achievement to include on their resumes.
• The ultimate winner receives the resume-building title of CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec for that year; an additional $20,000 educational package, including registration, accommodation and economy airfare to CUES’ CEO Institutes—one in 2015 and one in 2016; two additional remote coaching sessions from DDJ Myers; and the opportunity to continue to publish the progress of their project with monthly updates on the CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec blog for the next year.