CUNA Volunteer Institute - Puerto Vallarta
Topics & Objectives

Please note that the Topics/Objectives listed below are subject to change.

Staying Excited About Life: Longevity & the Secret of Shangri-La

(Opening General Session) David Miln Smith
In the valleys of the western Himalayas is the principality called Hunza. Considered the real life Shangri-La, it is one of the four areas in the world with high longevity. Hear from one man with first hand experience from this land of centenarians. His presentation focuses on strategies for physical, mental, social, and nutritional fitness to increase your quality of life and help you live longer.

Vallarta Adventure Tour

(Participants & Registered Guests)
Las Caletas, the former paradise hideaway of film director John Huston, is the exclusive location for this Vallarta Adventure Tour. Located at the tip of the bay of Puerto Vallarta, and only accessible by boat, his home is complete with the original furnishing and memorabilia, is three-sided, and opens to the beach. Your tour begins with a ride aboard a launch that will take you across the bay to this secluded paradise that is yours for the day. On the ride to Las Caletas, you will have time to whale watch. Also included in this tour, should you choose, is a nature walk or the opportunity to learn how to make authentic paella and see how tortillas are traditionally made. All beverages and lunch are included.

Take a Risk, Reap the Rewards

(General Session) David Miln Smith
Most of us will do almost anything to avoid admitting fear. We procrastinate, delegate, delay, fan the flames of conflict, or regret not taking action. During this session, you’ll hear real life adventures translated into useful knowledge and rewards. You will recognize the potential for deeper commitments, higher performance, and leave with the feeling of being fully alive.

Bank Secrecy Act

(Breakout Session) Robert Rutkowski
It’s no secret that examiners have a mandate to make BSA a main focus of their audits. Therefore, important to understand how to keep your credit union in compliance by filing suspicious activity reports and currency transaction reports. Credit unions are increasingly caught between strict regulations concerning member data and increasing powers of government to acquire this data. This session will cover the Bank Secrecy Act in detail, so you can use this knowledge to keep your credit union in compliance in this important area of law. The instructor is a former director and board president as well as a credit union attorney.

Strategy Development: The Evolving Role of the Board

(Breakout Session) George M. Towle
In today’s competitive marketplace it is becoming imperative that credit unions differentiate themselves from their competitors. This session will take a look at the evolving role of the board in developing, articulating, and communicating credit union strategy, where it is today and where it should be in the future.

Roundtable Discussions

(Breakout Session)
Industry experts will lead this discussion group on issues important to credit unions of your asset size. Here is your chance to network with other volunteers from credit unions similar in size about topics that are relevant to you. You determine the agenda and focus points. Your peers and your facilitator will help with the possible solutions.

The Policy Governance® Model

(General Session) Miriam Carver
Policy Governance®, an integrated board leadership paradigm created by Dr. John Carver, is a groundbreaking model of governance designed to empower boards of directors to fulfill their obligation of accountability for the organizations they govern. As a generic system, it is applicable to the governing body of any enterprise. The model enables the board to focus on the larger issues, to delegate with clarity, to control management’s job without meddling, to rigorously evaluate the accomplishment of the organization; to truly lead its organization.

Market Trends Affecting Credit Unions & Their Members

(Breakout Session) George M. Towle
This session will look at current market trends from both the credit union and member’s perspective. We will look at key trends and their implications in the areas of member service, technology, credit union consolidation, human resources, and delivery systems.

HR 101 – Directors' Role When Complaints are Filed Against Senior Management

(Breakout Session) Karen E. Saul
It’s not something you want to have first-hand or repeated experience with, but what do you do when a complaint is filed against management? Find out what the steps are and how to arm yourself before there are problems. In this session, you will identify the roles of the board, human resources, and management; learn how to conduct an effective investigation; and hear a real case study of an investigation gone wrong. The Carver Model & Credit Union Practice (Breakout Session) Miriam Carver As we know, credit unions are unique—non-profit with volunteer board members, but a heavily regulated industry. This means that what works for other non-profits often has to be adapted for credit union needs. Find out how the Carver Model fits the needs of credit union boards.

Panel Discussion: Associate Director Programs

(Breakout Session)
Hear directly from those using associate director programs! You’ll hear how to incorporate them and make them work to their full potential. Industry practitioners share their personal experience with associate director programs including what they’ve tried, what they haven’t, what works, and what doesn’t.

How to Speak With One Voice & Lead With One Vision

(Breakout Session) Rory Rowland
In this session, you’ll learn three key principles to apply to any question posed to the board, and how to get the template for the correct answer. You’ll also hear how to avoid micro- management and stay focused on the big picture. This program will be highly-interactive, engaging, and fun. You will walk away with three of the most important principles any credit union should use to have an outstanding board/management relationship.

Evaluating CEOs & the HR Angle for Directors

(Breakout Session) Karen E. Saul
Through this session you will explore the real meaning and value of an evaluation, learn how to conduct an effective CEO evaluation, discover tools and resources for evaluations, and identify how to use evaluations to strengthen your credit union.

Top 100 Credit Unions in Business Lending

(General Session) Rory Rowland
Discover who the best commercial lenders are and what they do to be the best. Learn how the power of focus is their key to success. Find out how the Top 100 Credit Unions made business lending their bread and butter, and learn how they keep from losing their cash.

For more program content information or to request a brochure call 800-356-9655, ext. 4249, or email elearning@cuna.coop. For registration questions, call 800-356-9655, ext.4400 or e-mail reginfo@cuna.coop.