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NYIB 2009 Chairman's Report

Submitted by Brandon Pugh at the 2009 Annual Conference

We often hear how quickly things can change—in the blink of an eye or on a moment’s notice. In many respects and to most of us, that held true over the past twelve months. Financial giants fell hard, profitable markets crumbled, and job losses mounted. At the same time there has been the promise of hope, a retreat to what is most important, and reinforcement of the importance of outreach to young people.

So, too, has gone the work of the National Youth Involvement Board since our 2008 Annual Conference. Our NYIB Executive Committee developed a strategic plan featuring web enhancements, continued conference growth, and outreach to build sustainability and visibility for NYIB and credit union youth advocacy as a whole. The network was abuzz with interaction and new plans. Then the challenges hit close to home.

Amid adversity, we held to our commitments.

NYIB again stood among exhibitors at the CUNA 2009 Governmental Affairs Conference, working together with the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF), Biz Kid$, and the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) in a new-concept “Financial Literacy Resources Center.” While there, we shared NYIB as a longstanding example of volunteer, cooperative effort and provided your testimony to that in words and in the numbers of presentations you made and students you reached.

We continued refinements of our web presence and utilities. Visitors now have access to links for the Biz Kid$ educational program and curriculum, and financial educators have the ability to account for Biz Kid$ presentations using a new option in the presentation subject field. Addition of search result data and a printable result format, creation of testimonial and best practices pages, and measurement of progress in students reached will meet the needs of more site visitors and better represent the depth of network involvement. Consistent network contributions to these and other nyib.org features including the document sharing site and classroom data is essential, and your feedback is invited and appreciated.

As a cooperative network, NYIB has always reached out to like-minded organizations and partners. Our relationships with leagues and state foundations took on even greater importance this year in carrying our messages to credit unions and offering assistance to many with restricted budgets. We have renewed our passion for and connection with the National Credit Union Foundation Development Education (DE) Program, and both of our organizations are intent on the opportunity credit unions have now for real impact. And in a year when everyone has had reason to withdraw, we offer heartfelt thanks to the partners who made possible our Annual Conference and its renowned value to each participant: CU Succeed & Kirby Kangaroo, the Texas Credit Union Foundation, Centsables, CUNA Mutual Group, Money Mammals, Randolph Brooks FCU, Schools First FCU, and the exhibitors who offer support for our network.

Those seeking proof that credit unions have their hearts in the right place need look no further than NYIB. Our statistical data on credit union efforts are increasingly popular with state and national financial literacy advocates who promote financial literacy. For the second consecutive year—and perhaps in response to the challenging economy—the NYIB network again far exceeded 300,000 students reached. We thank all of you who took time from your busy schedules to log your work at nyib.org.

In everything we do, our position would be far different if we each acted alone. For their faith and resolve—and for the results they saw through—I thank the NYIB Executive Committee: Pam Swope, Karen Smith, Rebecca Isaacs, Mary Ann Demczak, and Dawn Lindley, and I am grateful for the guidance of Chairman Emeritus John Faries and other NYIB leaders past.

A lot has happened this year among credit unions and the NYIB, and each of us is taking a step back to survey our priorities and explore new ways to reach out and make a difference. Rest assured that regardless of the details, our devotion to each of you in our cooperative network and to our shared mission of “helping today’s youth become financially savvy individuals and loyal credit union members” remains unchanged.

Brandon Pugh
Chairman