CUNA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) eSchool

As credit unions reflect on the death of George Floyd and current events, many are asking about resources that could help start the conversation about empathy and creating an inclusive culture.

As the populations you serve and the employees who staff your credit union become more and more diverse, it’s important to have a strong understanding of what diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is and what that means for your organization. The CUNA eSchool will discuss what DEI is, why it is important for your credit union and how to implement practices to best serve the people who interact with your credit union.

After attending, you’ll understand what it means to be an organization that is committed to creating a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion and how this focus can add value and help propel your credit union forward.

Attendees will be asked to complete prework prior to the session by accessing provided videos to help gain a common perspective on the topic.

Who Should Attend

The eSchool is beneficial for members of the CEO, leadership and board audiences.

Topics

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: An Introduction

June 8, 2020 // 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Speakers: Samira Salem and Angela Russell

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has garnered a lot of attention lately both within and outside of the credit union movement. In fact, CUNA’s Board recently adopted it as a shared cooperative principle for America’s credit unions. Meanwhile, regulators and policymakers have shown increased interest and focus – on how well credit unions meet the needs of diverse populations by assessing their staffing, products and services and membership.

During this session, attendees will:

• Learn what diversity, equity and inclusion means and why it matters
• Gain insight on structural racism and implicit bias and how they relate to DEI
• Develop a baseline knowledge of the history of redlining within the financial services industry and why it matters today
• Look at wealth gaps through the generations and the effect it has on today’s society
• Understand how changing demographics in the United States relate to DEI and the work of credit unions

The Case for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

June 15, 2020 // 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Speakers: Samira Salem and Angela Russell

Issues of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) matter — in Washington, in our communities, and most certainly in the business world. Diverse teams have been shown to produce stronger results — in their ability to attract, retain, and satisfy employees, to deliver stronger financial returns, and to improve product performance outcomes in the financial services sector. Attend this session and you will learn about how DEI can position credit unions for the future by strengthening competitive advantage and relevance while deepening alignment with values and more.

Attend this session and you will:

• Learn about changing demographics and how that impacts your membership profile
• Examine the business and values case for DEI within credit unions
• Gain insight on what’s happening within Congress and the legislative landscape regarding DEI
• Explore how credit unions are achieving success with DEI

Creating an Inclusive Culture for Your Organization

June 22, 2020 // 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Speakers: Victor Corro, Jill Nowacki and Samira Salem

Advancing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at your credit union will take commitment and understanding from every level of your organization especially leadership. Oftentimes organizations will focus on diversity, but we know that creating an inclusive culture is a critical aspect of this work, which results in a stronger, more motivated workforce that is better able to reach and serve an increasingly diverse population and ensure that your credit union remains relevant.

By attending this session and you will:

• Learn what an inclusive workplace culture looks like
• Examine best practices for establishing and nurturing an inclusive workplace culture
• Gain insight on why it’s important to engage all employees in the creation of an inclusive workplace
• Consider policies and procedures that foster a diverse workplace
• Examine some best practices for recruiting and retaining a diverse workplace
• Understand the role and value of employee resources groups

Reaching and Serving a Diverse Membership

June 29, 2020 // 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Credit unions are only as successful as the members that they serve. During this session, attendees will gain an understanding of how diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices will assist in meeting your members’ needs.

Attendees will:

• Examine strategies to better serve a diverse membership
• Understand how your products and services relate to all members
• Learn the value of marketing and tailoring your products to serve the needs of a diverse membership
• Understand the importance of having a diverse board
• Gain insight from credit unions that are actively working on DEI and having success

Also Available

All live event registrations include credit union access to the recorded event. You may also purchase the recorded event separately. Click here to see more about the recorded event.