The power of storytelling with new Foundation Executive Director
Telling credit union stories and the future of credit union philanthropy is featured in the latest episode of A CU Seat at the Table podcast. National Credit Union Foundation Executive Director Lauren Culp joined host Anthony Demangone to discuss those topics and the Foundation’s services.
Demangone asked Culp why it is important to keep telling the credit union difference and the credit union story.
“What I would say is if we don't tell our stories, nobody else will tell them for us. If we don't advocate for the difference that we make, no one is going to realize that we're making such a difference,” Culp said. “And there's so much going on in the world today. It's really easy to get lost in the shuffle. And so that relentless advocacy that America's Credit Unions leads and champions is so important. It's so needed.”
Noting that credit unions are usually strapped for staff and time, Demangone asked Culp what advice she can give to credit unions to start tracking stories.
“I think an invitation to your frontline staff, they are on the lines every day, talking directly to your members. They've got some stories,” Culp answered. “The stories are there, and it is just a matter of harvesting them, inviting those people who interact with members each and every day to share when they have those stories that come up or when they have those situations that they can say, hey, we made a real difference here.”
Helping credit unions in those efforts is part of Culp’s plan for the Foundation’s future.
“My vision is that the Foundation serves as the home for mission and the home for community impact for our industry as a resource, as a trusted partner, and as a connector to help bridge the gap between credit unions that may be doing similar work and may not even know it across our nation.”