At Mitchell, Stankovic & Associates, we believe change doesn’t happen by chance. Instead, it requires real, honest conversations and vulnerable collaboration to forge a better path forward.
And what can drive this change? The UNDERGROUND.
Within this community of thought leaders, we engage thought leaders with diverse opinions and force off-the-record discussions to become on-the-record initiatives. As a result, we’re moving the credit union industry to challenge itself to identify gaps and create solutions.
I believe in and am dedicated to credit union philosophy! The UNDERGROUND has a simple goal. Create an intimate environment for authentic dialogue to serve as a catalyst for relevance. Some will engage. Others will be voyeurs. But ALL will know we care. So don’t be shy. Say what you believe. Share what is on your mind. Not everyone will agree, but everyone attending expects us to be real and have a little fun while planting seeds that may just spark progress!
Sue Mitchell, Founder of The UNDERGROUND
It’s like this. Think of a time when you were at a business meeting or conference, and you were listening to someone speak, and you had a sudden thought about a change you want to make, or something triggered a plan of action for you. So you write it down on a napkin to ensure you don’t forget about it. What did you do with that thought? Did you discuss it with anyone? Did you put it into action? Or did you throw away the napkin, never to be heard from again?
The UNDERGROUND Community talks about your ideas that may not be well-thought-out or may seem a little outside of the box. Really, think of your “napkin writing” on steroids, and you’re getting close to what you’ll experience in The UNDERGROUND.
Learn from some who have experienced The UNDERGROUND:
My favorite part is putting ideas into action. It’s not only this pie-in-the-sky big stuff that we talk about. But we talk about what these issues mean to our credit unions and use our voices to make a change.
Gerry Singleton, CUNA Mutual Group
Our movement needs this (UNDERGROUND). We need to challenge one another and take a hard look at how we respond to difficult outside events. If we do that well, we will be so much stronger for it.
Caroline Willard, Cornerstone League
Network with thought leaders from around the world.
Our passion for change doesn’t stop within the U.S. borders. The UNDERGROUND Community spans the globe, allowing you to meet with people from all different walks of life, with different perspectives you may not have considered. For example, you take what you learn from leaders in Africa or Australia and implement these same concepts right in your community. You see quickly how we’re a global community helping the financial well-being of our members.
Learn from strategic partners who can help your credit union make a difference.
The UNDERGROUND works with strategic, business, and community partners to help bring the very best to the table for our discussions. (Check out our latest partners here.) We work closely with partners who share our passion and can help us generate ideas we can put into action.
Here’s an example of what we’ve learned: Credit unions focus on “member well-being and helping the whole member.” As a result, we may see transactions that indicate behavior that will impact a member’s well-being. What do we do? This may be a controversial subject, but to live your North Star as a credit union, “people helping people” you must set a policy, engage your Board from their “duty of care” and put counseling for the potential issue into practice. For example, in a past UNDERGROUND Collision event, one of our Fintech partners shared what we can tell from the data if someone is gambling and it is affecting their credit. Another organization shared that we can tell from the transaction data that the #1 day for human trafficking was Super Bowl Sunday. Significant issues are on the horizon, and privacy is key! It’s time to ask questions.
Be a part of the Underground community making a difference in the credit union industry.
Meet, collaborate, and engage with Board members, executives, and business partners regarding forward-thinking topics that will build a roadmap for the credit union’s future. Are you strategically curious about how to create this passion within your organization? Then, join us for UNDERGROUND Collisions a few times a year, be part of a Watch Party, and check out the materials to bring your teams to the UNDERGROUND. It will modernize your mission and enhance your member experience.
What’s keeping you from being part of our community? Find out how you can be a part of putting ideas into action at your credit union here. And get your napkins ready!