Home > Pressroom > News Release: Ohio League introduces InVest48

 

For Immediate Release Contact: Patrick Harris Director of Media Relations Ohio Credit Union League pharris@ohiocul.org 800-486-2917

Ohio League Introduces InVest48 to
Nearly 500 Credit Union Leaders

New convention format focuses on three pillars: Participate, Collaborate, Advocate;

Tucker Carlson, Bill Cheney, Eddie George,
Howard Putnam and Elizabeth Vale highlight list of presenters

Columbus, Ohio (April 14, 2011) Nearly 500 Ohio credit union leaders converged on Columbus to Participate, Collaborate, and Advocate during the Ohio Credit Union League’s (OCUL) reinvigorated annual convention, InVest48. The new convention format offered some of the familiar education breakouts and evening attractions, as in years past; however, an advocacy track component composed of legislative meetings, a smaller-market credit union track, and peer fireside chats were added.

“The annual convention is now in line with the League’s ‘Advocacy First, Plus’ mission as was directed by the League Board,” said OCUL President Paul Mercer. “The new name, InVest48, reflects the investment of credit union leaders’ time and energy into the annual event, which takes place over a 48-hour period.”

InVest48 welcomed attendees Monday night, April 4, in the Renaissance Columbus Hotel’s Latitude 41 restaurant with IgNite48, the first networking opportunity of the agenda. Attendees were treated to light appetizers while watching the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship and playing Wii.

Tuesday, April 5

The convention officially kicked off Tuesday morning with the Grand Opening Session, keynoted by Tucker Carlson. Carlson shared his view on the upcoming 2012 presidential election, touched on the current Congressional stalemate, and shared his personal stories of current and past politicians. Carlson opened his comments by stating, “I don’t think any of my tax dollars have gone to bail out credit unions; and, I appreciate that.”

Tuesday afternoon, Credit Union National Association (CUNA) President and CEO Bill Cheney addressed InVest48 participants over lunch, sharing how the national trade association sees important issues such as interchange, member business lending (MBL), supplemental capital, and corporate stabilization playing out.  Knowing that many participants would later meet with state legislators, Cheney also honed in on the importance of advocacy at the credit union level. “Speaker Boehner, an Ohioan, appearing at CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference is a reflection that credit unions are recognized now more than ever. We need advocacy leadership among all credit unions, at all levels for this to continue.”

Elizabeth Vale, who oversees credit unions and community banks for the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, also spoke during the lunch session. Vale gave an overview of the regulatory agency, and expressed the agency’s desire for open communication between it and credit unions.

InVest48 also played host to the inaugural Up And Comers Network, a group of like-minded credit union staff who are viewed as the future leaders of the industry. The network was created to help Ohio credit union professionals share best practices, while learning from credit union leaders who have ascended the organizational chart. The Up And Comers Network question and answer session was led by Lee Spivey, CEO of First Day Financial Federal Credit Union, Rose Bartolomucci, CEO of TeleCommunity Credit Union, and Bill Allender, President of BMI Federal Credit Union.

About 40 participants chose to take part in the new InVest48 advocacy track, comprised of an afternoon legislative briefing, meetings with state representatives and senators, and a legislative reception, open to all InVest48 participants, in the atrium of the Ohio Statehouse. The meetings consisted of Ohio credit union leaders informing their representatives about impending credit union issues such as public funds, local government assistance, and MBL.

Breakout sessions during the two-day InVest48 included (chronologically): The Changing Face of Fraud, Getting Noticed in a Crowded Market, The Board’s Role in Risk Management, Growing Credit Unions with Alternative Capital Solutions, Board Financial Literacy Training, The Business Dividends of Advocacy, Beyond Cost-Cutting to Become Efficient, Growth Redefined for Today’s Marketplace, Compliance Update: Checklist for Credit Unions, and How We Think: Exploring Psychological Marketing.  The smaller-market credit union track offered sessions that included Collaborating for Survival, Small is Beautiful and an Asset, Trading Spaces Marketing, and How to Manage Juggling so Many Hats.

Tuesday evening ended with a final networking event at The Big Bang Bar in Columbus.

Wednesday, April 6

Wednesday morning was highlighted by the annual Regs and Eggs: Morning Mingle with the Regulators. The session gave the new Ohio Superintendent of Financial Institutions, Charles Dolezal, his first opportunity to address Ohio credit union leaders as a whole.  Dolezal, who was accompanied by Deputy Superintendent for Credit Unions Mike Wettrich, shared that he is working closely with the League to update the section of the Ohio Revised Code affecting credit unions. Former National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Director of Public and Congressional Affairs John McKechnie concluded the breakfast by sharing his views on the NCUA and the regulatory environment nationally and answering questions.

Following Regs and Eggs, the Ohio Credit Union League held its annual meeting, where new League Board Chair Tim Boellner, CEO of AurGroup Financial Credit Union, was introduced.  Boellner praised the work of his predecessor, Jennifer Ferguson, CEO of Bay Area Credit Union, and shared his vision of the League.  “I want to continue Jennifer’s advocacy tradition, while collaborating with other Leagues to bring continued innovation, and keeping our Political Action Committee strong.”

Wednesday afternoon’s lunch and grand session was keynoted by Howard Putnam, former CEO of Southwest Airlines.  Putnam shared how turbulence is inevitable, no matter what the industry or movement, but misery is optional.  He urged credit unions to simplify during times of difficulty, but also took time to praise the movement as a credit union member himself, stating “I know what you stand for and I endorse moving things forward.  Be a great team, not a team of greats.”

OCUL President Paul Mercer also addressed the participants for a final time during the Wednesday lunch session.  Mercer encouraged participants to be fearful of exhaustion, asking “Are you tired of fighting for the credit union idea?” To which the crowd of 500 credit union leaders overwhelmingly responded, “No!”

Former Ohio State Buckeye football legend, NFL player, and Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George keynoted the closing session, sharing his inspirational story of learning how to deal with the crossroads of life.  George, who a few years ago was faced with the end of his professional football career, chose to pursue his MBA and start several new businesses.

-30-

The Ohio Credit Union League, with offices in Columbus, is a state trade association representing 387 credit unions. Credit unions are not-for-profit financial institutions owned and democratically-controlled by their members. Ohio credit unions provide savings, loans, and other consumer financial services to their 2.68 million members. To learn more, visit www.OhioCreditUnions.org.