WASHINGTON–Two people and two organizations have been recognized with the highest honors presented by credit unions in the United States, and their visions, experiences and advice included how CUs can best reach into a much different future, how to ensure no CU is left behind, how three words sum up the very essence of credit unions, and why everyone should find their puka.
The awards and recognition came as part of the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards hosted by the National Credit Union Foundation and held in conjunction with CUNA’s GAC.
With more than 900 people in attendance, the event annually shares stories of inspiration and humility and, of course, significant accomplishments by credit unions, organizations and individuals in improving not just the lives of others, but often entire communities.
Below is a look at the most recent winners, their stories, and what they had to say.
‘Reaching into the Future’
Anchor Award
The African American Credit Union Coalition
With a life that began modestly as a “CUNA baby,” Renee Sattiewhite, president of the African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) said the organization is now helping credit unions across the country to “reach into the future”—a role that will no doubt grow after she announced the AACUC had just received a sizeable, surprise donation.
Sattiewhite shared her thoughts while accepting the Anchor Award on behalf of the AACUC during the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards dinner here.
In an introductory video, numerous individuals from across the credit union movement praised the role the AACUC has played in helping credit unions to appreciate a more diverse and expansive viewpoint, especially in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. Despite that tragedy, Sattiewhite said in the video, “I am a believer, on the other side is goodness and hope.”
The organization, which began its life at CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), now desires to “share the richness of the African American culture with the credit union movement to offer our unique talents and to gently nudge credit unions to be more inclusive and to remember why we were created,” according to Sattiewhite.
Out of the Den
Sattiewhite shared that once while attending an earlier Herb Wegner Memorial Award dinner one year someone had remarked that someday the AACUC would be the recipient of the honor.
“The AACUC for years operated out of my den,” joked Sattiewhite. “I said, ‘We can’t let these white people see us working out of my den.’ Then COVID hit and everyone was working out of our den.”
The AACUC is no longer operating from Sattiewhite’s home. Today, it has its own office (she thanked former Georgia league President Mike Mercer for helping make the first office possible).
It also has more than an office; the AACUC has a far greater vision, according to Sattiewhite.
“It feels like the Foundation and the AACUC are cousins,” she said. “Our missions are aligned. We are focused on helping people lead better lives. This award really validates in some respects AACUC’s work. This is a celebration for all of us. For AACUC. For the Foundation. And for the credit union community at large.”
‘Unifying Initiative’
Sattiewhite said AACUC’s “Commitment to Change: Credit Unions United Against Racism” campaign has become a “unifying” initiative.
“As an industry we are being bold, mindful and brave,” said Sattiewhite. “I am looking forward to the engagement, the collaboration and the teamwork that is going to come from this recognition. You hear me say it often: AACUC is anointed. This is proof. I can’t wait to see what happens next.”
Sattiewhite also shared one update on just what’s next: Jim Hayes, CEO of State Employees’ Credit Union in North Carolina, had told her earlier in the day the credit union is donating $1 million to the AACUC.
Planting Seeds of Hope
Outstanding Organization Award
The Faith Based Credit Union Alliance, Chicago
The Faith Based Credit Union Alliance began its life as a group of 10 small credit unions that support some of the most underserved communities in the Greater Chicago, mostly on the city’s west and south sides, by “embodying the cooperative spirit,” according to the National CU Foundation.
The group of church-based CUs has grown to 21 members, most of which are in Chicago but also now in Kentucky and Texas, too, with an average asset size of just $500,000.
A video salute to the FBCUA shared the history of the faith-based credit unions, which began in the 1950s in underserved areas and communities of color in Chicago that were having difficulty getting other financial institutions to provide services, especially in an era of redlining.
The Alliance itself came together coming out of the financial crisis of 2008-09.
The motto of the group, which is operated by volunteers, is “No credit union left behind.”
In one case of just how unique the services provided by the CUs are, it was shared that one volunteer CU rep will make deliveries of cash to members when they need it.
Accepting the award on behalf of the organization were Dr. Joronda Crawford and her husband, Dr. Hiram Crawford, Jr., who in tag-team fashion shared remarks about the collective efforts to serve some of the most vulnerable people of Chicago and now in the rest of the nation.
The Crawfords thanked the Illinois league, CUNA Mutual and others for their support.
“They saw our shared vision and commitment to improve the services and financial wellbeing of African Americans and others we serve,” said Hiram Crawford.
Embodiment of Cooperation
The FBCUA is the embodiment of cooperation, in this case credit unions helping credit unions. Together the CUs pool resources for training, finances, contract negotiations, grant writing and more to ensure both the CUs and members are “not left behind,” the Crawfords said.
“Our shared vision has allowed us to achieve economies of scale and purchase a shared core processor, which provide electronic solutions and modernizes our infrastructure and members’ shared experiences,” said Hiram Crawford.
Joronda Crawford said the collective approach has allowed the CUs to provide digital services “despite the limitations of each credit union individually.”
In addition, said Hiram Crawford, the credit unions have also pooled resources to provide certified financial counselors to members, as well as tax preparation services, retirement and estate planning and more.
“We change lives,” he said. “We help people who often lack the resources to help themselves. We have a collaborative and collective mission. Like others before us we continue to sew and plant seeds of hope in communities.”
Three Simple Words
Outstanding Individual Achievement
Roger Heacock, retired CEO, Black Hills FCU, South Dakota
Roger Heacock began working in credit unions in 1978, and as he made clear, it was a passionate, joyful, difference-making career that followed.
In a tribute video prior to his remarks, Heacock said the credit union’s work could be summed up by its mission statement: “We Improve Lives.” Whatever that takes to serve that member, to improve that life, we are going to do that.
The community clearly appreciated just how it was improving lives. During his career Heacock oversaw asset growth from $23 million to more than $1.5 billion.
“I have attended many National Credit Union Foundation awards dinners over the years and have been in awe of the winners and their incredible accomplishments, and I feel so honored for getting this prestigious award for doing work I loved that meant so much to me,” said Heacock. “I believe this award is a tribute to the amazing team I worked with at BHFCU. I would not be standing here tonight if not for all the great things the employees and volunteers accomplished. They truly made a difference in the lives of our members and communities with their passion for service and commitment to our mission statement of improving lives.”
Heacock said he has long held a passion for credit unions and the CU community’s people helping people philosophy.
“I have loved my credit union career. It’s been so incredibly wonderful to have a career where our focus was on people rather than on profits…and where we went the extra mile at every opportunity to improve lives,” he said. “Isn’t it great to be here celebrating credit unions tonight and the positive impact they make every day in providing affordable financial services to all people, but especially the underserved, the unbanked and the low income. I’m so happy I got to play a part in this.”
‘Find Your Puka’
Outstanding Individual Achievement
Lucy Ito, retired president, National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS)
In a video tribute prior to her remarks, Ito cited advice from her parents—who were Japanese-American farmers—who urged her to move out into the world, as farming would always be there to come back to. Ito never had to return.
Ito, who spent time during her career at the World Council of Credit Unions and the California/Nevada Credit Union Leagues prior to leading NASCUS, has done work around the world on behalf of credit unions, including helping to start the first CUs in Uzbekistan.
Ito’s work globally on behalf of credit unions including efforts in the 1990s in Ukraine, where the World Council has launched various initiatives, and with a Russian invasion underway she said “all are standing in solidarity with you.”
Since retiring in late 2021, Ito said one of the most common questions she receives is what advice would she have for young people hoping for a successful career in the credit unions.
Ito responds by offering two pieces of advice.
“My first advice is to find your puka,” she said. “When I started working at WOCCU in my late 20s I wanted to position myself for career advancement. My father in law told me to find my puka. Puka means ‘hole’ in Hawaiian. Find your puka means find the hole and then fill it for your organization. If you want to be successful don’t focus on yourself and your success, focus on what will make your organization succeed. That helped me throughout my entire career.”
The second practice, said Ito, is if you are going to be biased, be biased toward including and connecting people with each other.
“When I think about all my role models through my career, there is a common denominator and that is they proactively connect people to help each other to generate better outcomes,” she said.
That proactive connection, she added, is true of the dual chartering system represented by NASCUS and NCUA, and she credited the trade group and the federal regulator for working together to create the world’s most successful credit union system.