Reaching Out to Untapped Markets
Cooperative Finance Leadership Program
for America
A Fellowship Program for New And Emerging
Credit Union Leaders
Federation 2013 Annual Conference
Baltimore, MD
CFLA Overview
• Innovative pilot program to cultivate future leaders of the
credit union movement. Program will recruit, train and
support fifteen (15) new and emerging professionals to
be placed in leadership positions in credit unions.
• Credit unions will gain a new source of talented, diverse
staff drawn from among recent college graduates,
graduate students, returning veterans and displaced
financial workers.
2013 Annual Conference : Financial Inclusion Through Cooperative Finance
Background
• Need for new and emerging leaders in the traditional and
community development credit movement
 Average age of CU member- 47
 Average age of CU employee- 42
 Average age of CDCU employee- 60
• Credit unions are “service rich but technology poor”
• Growth in membership stagnant
• Renewed interest in economic justice issues- Occupy
Wall Street Movement
2013 Annual Conference : Financial Inclusion Through Cooperative Finance
CFLA Pilot
• Recruitment of 15 fellows for to work in credit
unions
• Six-month paid fellowship
• Bring energy, strong skills and fresh
perspectives into the CU movement
• Intensive training program to include a two-week
summer institute, mentoring program and ongoing support
2013 Annual Conference : Financial Inclusion Through Cooperative Finance
CFLA Fellows
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Recent College grads
Graduate students
Returning Veterans
Displaced financial workers
2013 Annual Conference : Financial Inclusion Through Cooperative Finance
Training Curriculum
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Introduction to Credit Unions and the
Cooperative Culture
Credit Union Innovation and
Technology
Credit Union Leadership Development
Credit Union Advocacy
Ethics and the Credit Union Movement
Financial Statement Analysis
Overview of Community Development
Lending
Micro-enterprise and CDCUs
Peer Analysis & Forecasting
Regulatory Compliance: Introduction
and Overview
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Asset/Liability Management
Risk Management and Internal
Operations
CDFIs: What are they and the impact
on Credit Unions
Strategic Planning: Overview
Fundraising
Product Development & Pricing
Strategic Planning III: Emerging
Market Review
Strategic Planning IV: Membership
Development
Developing a Strategic Marketing Plan
Community Development: Developing
Partnerships
2013 Annual Conference : Financial Inclusion Through Cooperative Finance
Selection Criteria
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Bachelor’s degree
Demonstrated leadership ability
Strong Communication skills
Commitment to Coop finance
Targeted skills in one or more of the following items:
 IT, including database systems, network administration web
design/management
 Finance and accounting
 Loan analysis/underwriting
 Marketing, communications and social media
2013 Annual Conference : Financial Inclusion Through Cooperative Finance
Application Process
• Application for both credit union and fellow
• Due Date: June 15th
Credit Union Applications: 2 Step Process
 Step 1: Complete written application (www.cdcu.coop)
 Step 2: Phone interview to develop and/or define action plan for
fellow
Fellow Applications: 4 Step Process
 Step 1: Complete written application with essay
(www.cdcu.coop)
 Step 2: Phone and/or in-person interview
 Step 3: Interview with credit union
 Step 4: Attend 2-week training Institute
2013 Annual Conference : Financial Inclusion Through Cooperative Finance
Terms of Employment
• Stipend of $2,000 per month, half provided by
the credit union and half provided by CUs
participating in the program.
• Travel stipend to attend in-person training
• Credit union will provide medical insurance
2013 Annual Conference : Financial Inclusion Through Cooperative Finance
Ongoing Support & Professional Dev.
• Fellows will have a one-on-one call each week
and monthly conference calls
• Attend a mid-fellowship retreat
• Assigned a mentor in their region who does not
work at the participating CU
• Federation staff will visit each fellow at their
workplace at least once
2013 Annual Conference : Financial Inclusion Through Cooperative Finance
Questions
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For Additional Information Contact
Pamela Owens
Vice President, Programs
(212) 809-1850, ext. 215
powens@cdcu.coop
2013 Annual Conference : Financial Inclusion Through Cooperative Finance