5 minutes
Michael Murdoch
Marketing Specialist
$236 million NW Priority Credit Union
Portland, OR
Follow Michael on Twitter
Follow him on LinkedIn
Watch Michael’s CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec video
Give us the elevator speech about your project (as in how would you describe your project to someone you meet in an elevator?):
The “People Providing Hope” program encourages partnerships among community groups, credit unions and legislative initiatives to combat the crisis of teen and young adult homelessness through financial education and specialized banking services.
We all know that credit unions see the most success when they involve themselves in their communities, but I often think of the fear and confusion that displaced youth must feel when they need our help. I think too of their anxiety when presuming they’ll hear from us, “You’re going to have to come back with a parent or guardian and proof of residence,” knowing they have neither proof of residence nor a parent to return with.
It’s time to ease the rejection and the alienation. It’s time to bulldoze the financial barriers that impede these kids from knowing what it means to be far from the cares that are.
This is my floor. Thank you for listening.
What is your long-term career goal?
From experience, the future relies on the splendor of my imagination. So, as long as I stay committed to the righteous, to my community, to growing as an individual, to continual self-improvement and education, and to being an earnest subject matter in the credit union field, my long-term career will be just fine.
Fill in the dots: The future of credit unions will be bright…
As long as we actively address and repair the disintegrating cooperative bonds between credit unions big and small through partnerships, communication, delegation and legislation. Trends show a very concerning divide as the big get bigger and the small get smaller. At the rate credit unions are growing and shrinking, there could be a dramatic decrease in overall credit unions within the next several decades. A world where big banks reign – as only three or four mammoth credit unions keep pace – isn’t far off. Working in the credit union industry, I’ve come to believe that I am in the company of some of the greatest and most positive minds in history. I know we can change this.
What my generation brings to the credit union movement is…
My generation is growing in an age of instant feedback – we are digital natives. There exists an innate necessity to receive information quickly and I believe my CU brothers and sisters capitalize on this by innovating faster and friendlier lines of access to idyllic banking products and services.
People consider me a leader because…
I don’t shy from expressing my belief that there is only one person you'll ever truly be able to lead: yourself; but it’s my honesty, commitment, communication, confidence, positivity and my intuition that I feel offer worthy examples to members and colleagues.
Who is your hero and why?
My hero is my late grandmother. Always with a gentle and knowing smile, she taught me to aim for the good things in the world; to work hard and to do my best in any situation; to learn one new thing each day; to remain compassionate and to value and assist others whenever I am able; to keep my sense of humor in hard times; and to love and defend my friends and my family. She was a hip, hip lady.
Who is a must-follow on Twitter?
@NWPriorityCU, of course! @ByOscarWilde is worth a follow too, as long as you appreciate a daily dose of refreshing sarcasm and honest truths.
Does your credit union have Twitter/Facebook/YouTube/Pinterest/LinkedIn/Instagram other social media accounts?
Twitter: NWPriorityCU
Facebook: NWPriority CU
Pinterest: NWPriorityCU
LinkedIn: NWPriorityCU
Google+: NWPriorityCU
What is your favorite CUES member benefit? Or, if you are a new CUES NextGen member, what benefit are you most looking forward to using?
The education that CUES provides is outstanding. I’ve been reading the whitepapers like it’s a Tom Robbins novel. I signed up for two webinars about five minutes ago. I’m a part of the CUES LinkedIn and LOVE the CUES Net feature. To better answer this question though, I sincerely look forward to using CUES Net, while connecting with like-minded credit union champions!
|
Online voters and a panel of past finalists narrowed the CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec field from 20 to the Top 15 applicants. The challenge, held in conjunction with DDJ Myers and administered by Currency, searches for emerging leaders age 35 and under from within the credit union industry. The Top 15 will blog about their project. And to provide additional value to the competition experience, they’ll each receive an executive coaching session from DDJ Myers, a CUES Supplier member and strategic provider. A judging panel of two CUES members and Deedee Myers of DDJ Myers will then score the Top 15’s applications and blog posts, narrowing the competition to five finalists. The five finalists will receive additional coaching, airfare, accommodation and registration to CUES’ CEO/Executive Team Network™, Oct. 23-26 in Savannah, Ga., where they will give their final presentations. The 2016 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec will receive further coaching, airfare, accommodation and registration for two CUES’ CEO Institutes, a total prize package valued at $20,000. |
