2013 Strategic Planning season in underway! We are working with over 20 credit unions this year in a strategic capacity. Every strategic planning session should be a new adventure for an organization. We focus on trying to get to the “heart and soul” of your organization, with the long-term goal of moving it forward. What we do and how we do it will be based solely on the needs of your organization.  Click here for more information. 

In 2012, Michigan became a leader in the development of World Council Global Women's Leadership Network's Sister Society with our inaugural meetings at Frankenmuth Credit Union and then Lake Trust Credit Union. We hit the ground running with 25+ participants. The group expressed a strong interest in developing projects and contributing to our communities, in addition to having opportunities to network and nurture leadership skills. 

We celebrated our next meeting in Grand Rapids, MI at CU Answers. Brandi Stankovic, Partner of MSA, led an educational and networking session on the book, Lean In, by Sheryl Sandberg. Copies of the book were given to participants. The book has caused quite the stir worldwide, and our Sisters across the globe have been benefiting from this presentation and discussion.

Celebration 13 was held at Walt Disney World in Florida. Brandi Stankovic joined fellow Young Leaders for Kids advisory board to the Credit Unions for Kids, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals for the annual Celebration. The conference included fundraising, learning and celebrating young Miracles from every state! It was an inspiration to see all the young people enjoying life and benefiting from the hard work by organizations across the United States. 

The NY/NJ Sister Society—an offshoot of WOCCU's Global Women's Leadership Network (GWLN)—will hold their next meeting Oct. 30 at United Nations FCU headquarters in Long Island City. The meeting portion of the event, which is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., will be immediately followed by a wine and cheese networking reception.
The event will feature keynote speaker Dr. Brandi Stankovic, CUDE, of Mitchell, Stankovic & Associates. A review of GLWN's book of the month and an accessories drive for the Bottomless Closet organization are also on the agenda.

The NY/NJ Sister Society was founded by Melrose CU and Affinity FCU to enable area GWLN members to meet more frequently for networking, philanthropic initiative planning and professional development. At the international level, the GWLN provides credit union women with access to a global community of leaders dedicated to advising each other and cultivating the potential of credit unions in the U.S. and worldwide.

To register for the event or to request more information, email Robin Myers, Melrose CU, at robinm@melrosecu.org.