By Theresa Witham
"I've learned a lot about myself and my capabilities."
"Before the competition, the extent of my credit union network remained local, but since the competition my network has grown with credit union professionals around the country."
"I enjoyed the camaraderie of my fellow contestants, as well as sharing best practices as we competed (while working together) to help make our industry stronger. Having a voice to a larger audience is invaluable, and helped all of us move our projects forward!"
"It has opened my eyes to the great things credit unions are doing in the United States and Canada. There are many great credit union professionals out there doing amazing things for members and finding innovative ways for people to help people."
"The support I've received, not only from my immediate supervisor, but also from senior management."
Those are a few of the responses from 2010 Next Top Credit Union Exec entrants to the question: "What was the best thing that has resulted from your entering CUES' Next Top Credit Union Exec challenge?"
Now, the search is on for the 2011 Next Top Credit Union Exec.
Credit union employees 35 and under apply by creating a 60-second video about themselves and a project they are working on, a project they are planning, or an idea they have for their credit union.
More than $50,000 in prizes will be awarded, plus the title of the Next Top Credit Union Exec.
Last year we had 41 amazing entries from six regions in the U.S. and Canada. While only one became the Next Top Credit Union Exec, they all got a lot out of the challenge. You can read profiles of several of the 2010 entrants here.
Theresa Witham is a CUES Editor.
