What’s Happening This Spring

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SYL hosts their Q1 Webinar “Leadership Communications”

Facilitated by: Rachelle Brockman, Principal of Eureka Experience

The Saskatchewan Young Leaders hosted their first webinar of 2014 with Rachelle Brockman, Principal of Eureka Experience on the topic of “Leadership Communications.”

During the webinar Rachelle focused on developing techniques and strategies that will allow you to express your authentic self with skill and confidence. She also explored the art of delivering the right message to the right people at the right time.

THE TOP FIVE MUST HAVES OF A LEADER:

  1. Authentic, simple, efficient & clear PERSONAL IDENTITY
  2. Authentic, strategic IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT
  3. PURPOSE & CLARITY
  4. Communication EFFECTIVENESS
  5. INSPIRE Action & Motivation

By the end of this webinar, participants were equipped to:

  • Create an understanding and appreciation of the uniqueness and diverse perspectives and styles of themselves as leaders; and
  • Enhance their passion and productivity as well as others respect for them as professionals.

Couldn’t make it to our webinar? We got you covered!

Have you ever…wondered what kind of impression you make upon others? Delivered the wrong message? Had difficulty creating or delivering an important message? Wished you could engage and motivate others?

If you were unable to attend the webinar but can answer yes to these questions, check out more information on the 5 Must-Have’s, and the presentation provided to participants during the webinar. Rachelle also recommended some great reads that provided her with the knowledge and inspiration of leadership.

  • Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
  • Fierce Communications by Susan Scott
  • True North by Bill George
  • Encouraging the Heart by Barry Z. Posner
  • First Impressions by Ann Demarais and Valerie White
  • Primal Leadership by Daniel Goleman
  • Fierce Leadership by Susan Scott
  • Drive by Daniel H. Pink

“A good first impression is one that reflects the real you. If you are presenting the best of yourself, the self you want to share, then you are making the impression that is right for you.”

– Ann Demarais & Valerie White

Your 2014 SYL Committee Members

The Saskatchewan Young Leaders is a committee of Young System Leaders working together to EMPOWER YOUTH to grow in and for the credit union system.

We would like to welcome our first years – Adam, Courtney, Cris, and Maranda – to the committee! 2014 promises to be a great year for our young leaders across the province. We have an energetic and dedicated committee that is on your side!

MEET YOUR COMMITTEE

Samantha Larsen SYL Chair Cornerstone CU Samantha Larsen SYL Chair Cornerstone CU Tyson Klapak Affinity CU   Tyson Klapak Affinity CU Rachel Obrigewitsch SaskCentral Rachel Obrigewitsch SaskCentral Maranda Sheahan SYL Vice-Chair Synergy CU Maranda Sheahan SYL Vice-Chair Synergy CU Cris Richer Diamond North CU   Cris Richer Diamond North CU Amy Bott SaskCentral Amy Bott SaskCentral Lindsay Bertschi Prairie Centre CU   Lindsay Bertschi Prairie Centre CU Amanda Thoen Innovation CU   Amanda Thoen Innovation CU Adam Johb Biggar & District CU   Adam Johb Biggar & District CU Courtney Wishlow Conexus CU   Courtney Wishlow Conexus CU

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ON SYL?

Wouldn’t it be great to find all the information you need on SYL in one location….?

  • SYL Initiatives
  • SYL Committee Bios
  • What we do
  • 2014 Conference Info
  • News articles & more

Check out our NEW website: www.skyoungleaders.com

Collaboration Within the Credit Union System SYL Professional Development

COLLABORATION: Working together to achieve a goal…

Collaboration is a topic that is brought up at many leadership meetings, whether it is through Peer Group, or even an SYL hosted event.

The Filene Research Institute has a report that discusses:

  • Steps on Effective Collaboration;
  • Benefits and Challenges that are associated with collaboration;
  • Merger Models;
  • Long-term Collaboration; and
  • The struggle to connect.

This report, like many others, really hits home as a Credit Union employee. You don’t have to be in a current leadership position to appreciate the research provided by Filene’s reports.

In this summary we discuss how the steps of collaboration can relate to young leaders within our own Credit Unions. Check out the full article in our news page on our website. www.skyoungleaders.com

The Sask CU Advance competition came to a close at the end of 2013 creating new possibilities and opportunities for credit unions to forge together through collaboration and partnership. One winner was chosen – Ashley Hamilton. Her idea was to develop informative and fun financial literacy presentations for high school students. Hamilton’s goal is to teach young people about debt, credit and savings to empower them with the knowledge they need to make smart financial decisions.

Hamilton’s idea is currently in preliminary stages and is being assessed by Prairie Centre Credit Union on how to implement into everyday operations. Stay tuned; there will be more to come on her idea!

This competition highlighted many innovative ideas from young leaders, all with an immense amount of possibilities. SYL could not be happier to announce that the ideas did not stop when the competition ended, but they are continuing on and some young leaders have been put to the test.

Credit Unions have taken opportunities to learn about the ideas that were submitted to Sask CU Advance and are looking into ways to bring these ideas to life. Conexus asked their young leaders who submitted an idea to present to top level management expanding on their idea, including resourcing, costing and implementation. The presentations were a success and next steps are being identified.

After talking to a few young leaders at Conexus, it’s apparent that they could not be happier about the opportunity this competition has created for them, especially with their leadership development and not to mention building a rapport with the executive team.

Sask Young Leaders will keep you updated on the 20 contestants who participated.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

SYL will host its third conference for young leaders across the province on September 24-25 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Saskatoon.

Our Conference theme is “CU Forward” and will focus on helping Young Leaders move their thoughts, ideas and careers forward in the credit union system.

More details coming soon:
Website – www.skyoungleaders.com
Facebook – www.facebook.com/SKYoungLeaders
Twitter – www.twitter.com/SKYoungLeaders

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – Walt Disney

Collaboration Within the Credit Union System

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COLLABORATION: Working together to achieve a goal…

 

Collaboration is a topic that is brought up at many leadership meetings, whether it is through Peer Group, or even an SYL hosted event.

The Filene Research Institute has a report that discusses:

  • Steps on Effective Collaboration;
  • Benefits and Challenges that are associated with collaboration;
  • Merger Models;
  • Long-term Collaboration; and
  • The struggle to connect.

This report, like many others, really hits home as a Credit Union employee. You don’t have to be in a current leadership position to appreciate the research provided by Filene’s reports.

In this summary we discuss how the steps of collaboration can relate to young leaders within our own Credit Unions.

Step One: Think Broadly

Our industry is in a state of constant innovation and change. For Saskatchewan Credit Unions we need to step up our innovative ideas and start having more firsts. Did you know that a Saskatchewan Credit Union was the first financial institution to offer services via an ATM? Collaboration with other credit unions will have their challenges but the ideas that can be implemented are what our members have been asking for. Collaboration has become something of necessity not just a “nice-to-have”. If you were to look around at some of the services and products launched in the past little while, they were launched out of collaboration with a group of Credit Unions (ie: CU Connect, No-Fee Chequing Account).

These examples are from a higher level, but there are ways to collaborate with others within your own Credit Union. Whether it be collaborating on sharing practices and procedures to see if there is a better way of doing things, collaborate in training new and existing staff, or creating Young Leader Committees in your Credit Union to collaborate together to engage the youth of the Credit Union.

Step Two: When looking to collaborate…it’s important to have the right partners involved.

You want to find partners that have a shared problem or shared opportunity to improve on through the collaboration of a group. Your group must be willing participants and engage in conversations, brainstorming, information seeking, and implementing the end solution.

Step Three: Overcome Objections

Let’s look at the idea of creating a Young Leaders Committee at your own Credit Union. You want to ensure that you have a clear mandate as to how the committee is going to provide value to the organization. This mandate should relate back to the Credit Union’s mission and values and have the support of the CEO/Executive Sponsor before moving forward with the collaboration. Being a part of a collaborative group it is important for you to respect your peers and their ideas. Allow everyone a chance to share their ideas and opinions and realize that your ideas may not always be the best ideas. By having a diverse group of people you must also realize that the development of each individual may be different. With some individuals, this could be their first time participating in a leadership group. For others they may be very comfortable with public speaking, running meetings, decision-making. Not everyone will have the same personality. Being a part of a collaborative group “I don’t have enough time” or “I am too busy” are not acceptable excuses. It is important to respect each members time and contribute 110%, not whenever you feel like it.

Final Step: Get Beyond the Plateau Point

Everyone in the group must stay committed to the collaboration. Even if one person is not committed the collaboration may lose momentum.

And finally don’t be afraid of failure. “A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow”.

If you have a chance read the full article sign up under the CUCC login under your individual Credit Union. Collaboration in Practice: 11 Credit Union Case Studies by George Hofheimer and Ben Rogers of the Filene Research Institute.

Saskatchewan Young Leaders Committee

SYL hosts their Q1 Webinar “Leadership Communications”

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“A good first impression is one that reflects the real you. If you are presenting the best of yourself, the self you want to share, then you are making the impression that is right for you.”
– Ann Demarais & Valerie White

The Saskatchewan Young Leaders hosted their first webinar of 2014 with Rachelle Brockman, Principal of Eureka Experience on the topic of “Leadership Communications.” During the webinar Rachelle focused on developing techniques and strategies that will allow you to express your authentic self with skill and confidence. She also explored the art of delivering the right message to the right people at the right time.

THE TOP FIVE MUST HAVES OF A LEADER:

  1. Authentic, simple, efficient & clear PERSONAL IDENTITY
  2. Authentic, strategic IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT
  3. PURPOSE & CLARITY
  4. Communication EFFECTIVENESS
  5. INSPIRE Action & Motivation

By the end of this webinar, participants were equipped to:

  • Create an understanding and appreciation of the uniqueness and diverse perspectives and styles of themselves as leaders; and
  • Enhance their passion and productivity as well as others respect for them as professionals.

Couldn’t make it to our webinar? We got you covered!
Have you ever…wondered what kind of impression you make upon others? Delivered the wrong message? Had difficulty creating or delivering an important message? Wished you could engage and motivate others?

If you were unable to attend the webinar but can answer yes to these questions, check out more information on the 5 Must-Have’s, and the presentation provided to participants during the webinar. Rachelle also recommended some great reads that provided her with the knowledge and inspiration of leadership.

  • Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
  • Primal Leadership by Daniel Goleman
  • Fierce Communications by Susan Scott
  • Fierce Leadership by Susan Scott
  • True North by Bill George
  • Drive by Daniel H. Pink
  • Encouraging the Heart by Barry Z. Posner
  • First Impressions by Ann Demarais and Valerie White

Saskatchewan Young Leaders Committee