Operational support with a credit union touch
Seventeen years ago, when Buddy Bennett was a credit union teller advancing into a leadership position, he found himself facing a common but pressing challenge: seeking ways to meet new daily challenges and setting himself up for continued growth to keep pace with the dynamic credit union landscape.
As Bennett became part of the credit union's executive team, he found himself in conversations that were sometimes over his head. Councils offered him a compass to navigate this new step in his professional journey.
An unexpected path
Bennett's 17-year credit-union career began and continues with Cyprus Credit Union, headquartered in West Jordan, Utah, and Utah's longest serving credit union.
"I started at the credit union as a part-time teller with the goal of becoming a high school teacher and coaching sports," he said. "As I started working with the credit union, I realized I really loved the business model. I loved the people-helping-people concept. I felt like we were doing good, and it was something that ultimately captured me."
The credit union's CEO recommended Bennett join Councils for its benefits as a training and development resource.
"The first Council conference I ever attended was the HR and Organizational Development Council Conference in Disneyland in California," Bennett said. "My eyes were opened to just how fantastic Councils are, how big it was."
Through his Councils membership, Bennett found the treasure trove of resources and a vibrant community of professionals he had been seeking.
"What surprised me most was to be in an industry where people were so open about business strategy discussions, important things they were working on in their credit unions, and hot topics that could impact our industry," Bennett said.
He didn't realize until he went to that first conference just how much Councils had to offer. "This is why I would advocate for anyone to join: If you want to be a strategic leader in your organization, you need to be surrounded with people that will help you think at a higher and more strategic level."
Experiences that have lasting effects
"I've been part of Councils for 12 years now," he said. "There are so many benefits to membership; my favorite benefit is networking. The people that you meet and get to talk with, and brainstorm just makes for an amazing experience."
Bennett saw an opportunity to surround himself with people who were more experienced. He was able to learn from those around him, grow in his ability to do his job, and gain new ideas to use in his position or in his credit union.
"When I first started (in a management role), I didn't know what I didn't know," Bennett said. "So, to be able to go to an online community, a conference or your network that you've developed, you can truly then figure things out."
And more from the top minds in the industry and from credit union peers. The content is based on topics provided by members and curated by Council volunteer committees.
Growing leadership skills as a volunteer
After he went to his first conference, he realized he had to get involved in the volunteer side.
"You get to just be around good people who are smart, knowledgeable, have great ideas, and you're doing something that builds our industry. An industry contributes a tremendous amount of good to this nation, our economic situation and for general consumers."
After nearly twelve years as a Council member, Bennett is now the Council Executive Chair and encourages people who were like him when he joined Councils—progressing and growing in a credit union career—to consider joining.
"I would encourage everyone to join—especially people coming in from outside the industry—Councils is an excellent introduction to the credit union movement."
He pointed to his own experience as a path which can be emulated. "I've been able to roll from an HR and training manager early on to my role today as the Chief Operating Officer," Bennett said. "That career growth has come because of a number of things. One of those things I can distinctly point to is my membership in Councils in helping me build my career."