| Newport, RI

Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee Conference

While this conference is sold out, you can still secure your spot for the Credit Union Board School: Introduction & Designation in New Orleans, LA, happening May 6 - 10, 2024. 

Monday, April 15

  • 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    Early Registration
  • 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

    Your role as a credit union board or committee member usually doesn't come with a job description. Often, both new and seasoned directors and supervisory committee members can find themselves working through issues without a firm understanding of the rules of the game.  Learn the basic information to sit for the NAFCU Certified Volunteer Expert (NCVE) certification. Get information on: 

    • The role of a corporate board
    • The corporate governance of credit unions and how credit union officials fit
    • Your fiduciary duties as a board member
    • The credit union board's role in risk and compliance management
    • NCUA expectations and the exam process
    • The Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)
    • The inner workings of the credit union industry
    • Key financial ratios that every volunteer should understand

  • 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

    Add the NCVE designation to your name and prove that you comprehensively understand your credit union volunteer role and how the credit union system works when you pass the exam.

  • 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

    Join us for an early evening reception featuring cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres. It's a great opportunity to connect with your peers from credit unions across the country!

Tuesday, April 16

Sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 2:20 p.m.
  • 7:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.
    Registration
  • 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

    Start your day with a hot breakfast and the opportunity to build stronger connections with your peers from credit unions across the country.

  • 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

    Conference guests are invited to enjoy a hot breakfast together to begin the day.

  • 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

    Registered guests will enjoy lunch aboard the beautiful Coastal Queen. The upper deck features a hard top and open-air seating perfect for catching fresh ocean breezes; the glass-enclosed lower deck features a grand teak wood-center bar, snack bar, and restrooms. Relax and lounge during your guided tour of Narragansett Bay.

  • Join America's Credit Unions's Todd Spiczenski as he officially opens the conference and welcomes everyone!

  • Our conference MC, Devon Lyon, will welcome attendees with a warm introduction and an outline of the conference agenda. 

  • Kickstart the conference with an engaging icebreaker to foster connections with your peers.

  • You'll hear insights into the political landscape of Washington, D.C., review America's Credit Union's latest legislative and regulatory advocacy actions to protect and advance credit unions, and learn about changes in BSA and audit procedures. 

  • Learn the latest on the economy, underlying factors driving change and creating opportunities, and what to expect in 2024 and beyond. Learn about GDP, labor market, interest rate trends, inflation and housing market forecasts. 

  • Explore the ever-evolving landscape of credit unions and gain insights into the latest industry trends. Discover how these trends can shape the future of your credit union and prepare you for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Join us for a dynamic session with actionable insights and strategies to navigate the credit union industry's changing terrain.

  • Credit unions must incorporate diverse leaders who foster inclusion and equity to compete in a more demographically diverse future. But what does it take to improve governance and strategic planning? In this session, you will learn how to translate DEI from buzz words into hands-on tactics for delivering new leadership, governance and strategic advantage for your credit union. Discover methods for bringing a more diverse set of voices into the room. Learn how to unlock inclusion to improve dialogue and decision-making.  

  • In this session, you'll learn the importance of clearly defined roles and responsibilities for board members and how they directly impact overall board engagement. You'll explore effective strategies to enhance role clarity, leading to more efficient and productive board meetings. You'll also discover methods to foster active participation, ensuring that each board member is fully engaged and contributing to the credit union's success. Walk away with practical tools and insights to enhance both individual and collective performance within the board.

  • You'll explore the synergies between internal auditing and audit best practices in this comprehensive session. You'll learn how to develop internal audit procedures and compliance frameworks. Discover insights into fraud prevention and maintaining transparency and accountability. Understand how to align your risk management practices with regulatory requirements. This session equips you with actionable strategies for a more efficient and effective audit process, empowering you to elevate your credit union's audit excellence.

  • According to a recent study, board and senior management continue to be misaligned on governance and over 80 percent of senior credit union executives question the effectiveness of board members. What might this mean for your organization? The impact of the misalignment on governance issues affects the mission and strategic initiatives of the credit union. In this interactive session, you'll discuss the building blocks of aligning your board and senior management, how to bridge the gap, build consensus on governance and strategic priorities, and define effectiveness. You'll gain valuable tools for fostering a more unified and effective governance approach.

  • Unlock the true potential of your Supervisory Committee (SC) and embark on a transformative journey of empowerment. You'll learn about the vital role and profound impact that the SC can have within a credit union. Whether you're a seasoned member or just starting, you'll gain valuable insights into your responsibilities, strategies to enhance accountability, and the pivotal role you play in safeguarding members' assets. 

  • 3:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

    Enjoy privately chartered transportation with a driver guide or step on guide (upon request) to visit Newport's most popular landmarks. This tour includes the colonial section of Newport, Ten Mile Ocean Drive, and Bellevue Avenue. During this activity, the group will also stop for a Mansion Tour at The Breakers.

Wednesday, April 17

Sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m.
  • 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

    Start your day with a hot breakfast and the opportunity to build stronger connections with your peers from credit unions across the country.

  • 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
    Spouse/Guest Breakfast & Tour Check-in
  • 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

    Registered guests will enjoy a privately chartered transportation with a driver guide or step on guide (upon request) to visit Newport's most popular landmarks. This tour includes the colonial section of Newport, Ten Mile Ocean Drive, and Bellevue Avenue. During this activity, the group will also stop for a Mansion Tour at The Breakers.

  • How can you lead effectively through times of change and uncertainty? This session will empower you with essential leadership and communication skills to navigate organizational transitions and evolving workplace dynamics. Learn to be a catalyst for change, mastering the art of visionary leadership and effective communication to steer your credit union toward success in a rapidly changing industry.

  • Receive a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in the Bank Secrecy Act and its implications for credit unions. You'll get essential insights into the examination process, regulatory changes, compliance strategies, and risk management. The latest policies and procedures that your credit union must have in place, fraud prevention, compliance with the AML Act, anti-money laundering strategies, and the growing prevalence of digital assets in banking are among the topics that will be covered in this session. 

  • You'll gain in-depth knowledge of both CEO and Board member succession planning. You'll discover strategies for managing a smooth leadership transition, including the crucial steps to identify and prepare potential successors who resonate with your credit union's future goals. This session goes beyond CEO transitions, exploring the dynamics of Board member succession to ensure overall organizational stability. Learn about crafting clear succession timelines, effective communication plans, and leadership development practices to foster future readiness. 

  • This must-attend session will unveil the revolutionary potential of generative AI in transforming key operational areas. Discover how this cutting-edge AI can revolutionize policy and regulatory updates, financial analysis, and reporting, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. Learn the art of leveraging Large Language Models for effective training, educational initiatives, meeting preparations, and strategic planning, enhancing decision-making and scenario analysis. This session equips you with the knowledge to utilize generative AI for ethical governance and member service optimization in a rapidly evolving financial sector.

  • Understanding risk management is crucial for credit union boards to ensure organizational stability. Are you aware of your credit union's risk tolerance and how you can integrate this into strategic development? This session will reveal the answers to these questions and more, focusing on managing internal risks like regulatory non-compliance and data breaches, as well as external risks such as cybercrime and interest rate fluctuations. You will learn how to conduct thorough risk assessments to identify and effectively manage risks impacting your strategic goals.

  • This session will delve into the unique role and responsibilities of the supervisory committee in overseeing compliance, transaction, and reputation risks. How can your supervisory committee effectively safeguard member assets while ensuring the credit union operates according to regulatory standards? You'll explore the importance of conducting rigorous internal controls and audit reviews, and the committee’s critical role in BSA/AML compliance. 

  • Is your financial acumen Board-level? Assess and enhance your financial literacy as a credit union board member. This session will guide you through the complexities of credit union financial statements, ensuring you understand and can effectively oversee your organization's financial health. Learn the essentials of regulatory compliance and discover strategies for asking the right questions to management and auditors. By the end of this session, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to fulfill your fiduciary responsibilities and contribute to your credit union's financial success.

  • Stay ahead of the compliance curve in this dedicated session. You'll explore the latest compliance updates. Learn how to navigate changing compliance requirements and ensure your credit union remains in compliance with regulatory bodies. Gain practical insights, compliance strategies, and the knowledge needed to keep your credit union on the path to regulatory excellence.

  • This interactive roundtable will facilitate in-depth discussions among board members, offering insights into effective board management and decision-making in the evolving financial landscape. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to exchange ideas, challenge conventional approaches, and collaborate on pioneering solutions for enhanced governance efficacy.

  • This interactive session for supervisory committee members offers a platform to delve into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the realm of credit union oversight. The discussion will emphasize the power of shared knowledge, enabling participants to exchange valuable insights and best practices for robust supervisory strategies.

  • 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
    PAC Event (Invite Only)

Thursday, April 18

Sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 11:50 a.m.
  • 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

    Start your day with a hot breakfast and the opportunity to build stronger connections with your peers from credit unions across the country.

  • Scott" Intake" Kartvedt Scott will share with you his transformative insights on cultivating a culture of excellence through resilient leadership. Drawing from his "IMPROVE Debrief™" methodology, he will demonstrate how trust and accountability can empower leaders to reach new heights of success. Whether you're a business owner, executive, or aspiring leader, Scott's insights and practical approach will equip you with the tools to elevate your leadership, transform your organization, and take it to the next level.

  • In this session, you'll explore the crucial role of board and supervisory committee readiness in mergers and acquisitions. How well-prepared are you for the strategic challenges of M&A? Discover governance best practices tailored for M&A scenarios, including leadership dynamics, transitions of board members, and effective staff integration strategies. What are the key considerations in planning for consolidations, and how can you effectively manage change-in-control agreements? This session also focuses on setting unified objectives for merged entities. 

  • Is your credit union equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of digital transformation and cybersecurity challenges? Gain valuable insights into strategies for addressing both aspects in this session. Learn how your board can proactively approach cybersecurity and digital transformation, identify critical focus areas, and ask the pertinent questions. Experts will share the latest trends, future forecasts, and practical tools to minimize cyber and fraud risks while harnessing the benefits of digital innovation. 

  • This session delves into the heart of credit union success—our members. You'll discover innovative approaches that prioritize member needs while ensuring the financial institution's steady growth. We'll explore tailored financial products, personalized service enhancements, and community engagement tactics that foster loyalty and trust. Join us to learn how to align your growth plans with the values and expectations of the members you serve.

  • Your conference MC, Devon Lyon, shares his closing thoughts and highlights.

**Sessions subject to change. Final agenda will be posted closer to the event.

Anything else you’d like to see covered? Please let us know at education@americascreditunions.org.