Serving as a credit union board member is no small undertaking. With new NCUA requirements and widespread economic uncertainty credit unions everywhere are demanding a greater level of accountability from their top executive leaders. Today’s volunteers are not only responsible for acting as the thought leaders for their credit unions, they are also expected to perform a wide range of credit union tasks effectively and intelligently. Step up to the challenge. From legislation to liabilities the CUNA Volunteer Institute will help you develop the skills you need to be both an impactful volunteer and a more valuable asset for your credit union. By advancing your professional education you demonstrate your dedication to your members and ensure lasting success for your credit union.

Understand every facet of your credit union. Over four productive days in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the CUNA Volunteer Institute will give you the skills you need to become an expert credit union volunteer.

Plus! Earn the credentials of a credit union board expert.
By successfully completing identified sessions and exams, you can earn credits for the CUNA Volunteer Certification Program toward your Certified Credit Union Volunteer designation.

Bring a guest for just $225!
Guests of CUNA Volunteer Institute participants are welcome to enjoy sunny Punta Cana and attend the Tuesday evening reception, and two activities! First, attendees and registered guests will attend the Dominican Island Carnival and learn to live like the locals! Barter with local vendors, dance to the lively Dominican rhythms and indulge in the sultry local cuisine from the comfort of your resort.

Then, registered guests will take off on a Dominican Safari in an all-terrain vehicle to explore the dominican countryside and the lush jungle. Get an up close and personal tour of the country. View the complete guest program schedule.

CUNA Volunteer Institute: May 6–9, 2012

CUNA Board Succession Planning Pre-Conference Workshop:  May 5, 2012

Paradisus Punta Cana
Playa de Bávaro, Punta Cana
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Hotel Fax: 809-687-0752
Hotel Reservations: Please e-mail the resort or call Ms. Loremy Sanchez at 1-809-221-1111 ext. 8433.

Hotel Reservation Deadline: April 16, 2012

All-Inclusive resort rates:
Single Occupancy
$269.00 USD per person per The Reserve One Bedroom Suite, per night
$309.00 USD per person per The Reserve One Bedroom Master Suite, per night

Double Occupancy:
$189.00 USD per person per The Reserve One Bedroom Suite, per night
$229.00 USD per person per The Reserve One Bedroom Master Suite, per night

Children under age four, when sharing a room with parents are complimentary. There is a 50% discount per child aged 2 to 12 years-old, with a maximum of two children per room. Maximum occupancy per room is two adults and two children or three adults and one child.

All inclusive room rates include:

• Suites with private balcony
• All inclusive Food and Beverage at all restaurants
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, all beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
• 24 Hours Room Service
• International Wine List
• 8 bars and a swim-up bar at main pool, all with unlimited Premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
• Tennis Courts, Paddle Tennis Courts, Swimming Pool and Gymnasium
• Special Entertainment nightly
• All taxes, gratuities and surcharges

Stated prices are in US dollars per person per night in the All Inclusive Plan. No reimbursement will be made for those services not used as part of the package.

The Reserve
Click on the map for a larger view, or to download the PDF.

The CUNA block of hotel suites are located in The Reserve, the most luxurious and most secluded section of the Paradisus Punta Cana Resort. Only minutes from the conference center, The Reserve is a brand new resort-within-a-resort offering exclusive access to separate, sparkling new pools for kids and adults, a private lounge, and an all-new, all-luxury collection of 132 oversized Paradisus Resort suites. The Reserve® at Paradisus Punta Cana Resort features:

• A VIP check-in lounge
• Exquisite residential style accommodations
• Spectacular free-form pool with underwater pool beds and water ritual feature
• Private beach and beach concierge service
• Full concierge service provided by four satellite concierge desks
• Kids Zone Mini Club
• Poolside spa cabanas
• Wi-Fi in the lounge
• High-speed Internet in all Suites
• Transportation to beach area and all other resort facilities
• Signature Gabi Club
• And more.

Although you probably don’t need much prodding, we strongly encourage you to stay with your fellow conference attendees at The Reserve®.

Preview the schedule

CEO Oversight – What’s the Right Formula?

Yvonne Evers
(Level 2, 3 credits, CEO Oversight Category)

Hiring a CEO for the credit union and monitoring his or her performance are two of the most important duties of a board of directors. Having the right CEO in place can mean the difference between success and failure.

This session will:

• Present the importance of setting clear expectations and providing timely feedback to the CEO.
• Help to determine the unique balance of oversight and involvement for your board.
• Offer methods that the board can use to hold itself accountable to appropriate CEO oversight.
• Discuss how CEO oversight may be different depending upon the size of the credit union or vary depending upon other circumstances present at the credit union.

The Ripple Effect: How to Get the Right Results

Tina Hall
With engaging storytelling and modern examples, Tina shares the power of the Ripple Effect - how to get the right results in work and in life. Drawing on her years in the credit union industry, this session is a timely reminder of how leaders can best influence our movement now and into the future.

Every Moment Matters: How to Take Team Effectiveness to the Next LevelEvery Moment Matters: How to Take Team Effectiveness to the Next Level

Tina Hall
What we can take from Occupy Wall Street, Congressional and Presidential approval ratings is that our communities are demanding a higher level of accountability. Now, more than ever, it is important for boards to be as effective as possible. Have you ever wondered what your CEO would say is one of the biggest challenges to board effectiveness? Tina asked a variety of CEO’s and will share those results. She designed this practical and applicable session to address the top communication concern and how to overcome it.

Secrets of an Effective Board Chair

Dan Clark
(Level 2, 3 credits, Governance Category)

On some Boards, directors rotate taking a stint in the Chair’s position. Whether it’s your “turn” or it’s going to be, or you want to sharpen your knowledge and skills for your current stint as Chair, here’s what you need to know. Learn aspects of the oft-heard word “governance” that can elevate you and your board to high performance. Pick up tips on dealing with the things that make the Chair’s job different from the directors’ jobs in general, and without a ‘pay differential.’ Explore the aspects of the job you may not discover until there’s a crisis.

Directors Who Make a Difference

Dan Clark
(Level 2, 3 credits, Governance Category)

In addition to caring about their credit unions, directors can be idealists desiring to make a difference. Directors caught up in outdated and outmoded beliefs about how to participate and lead a volunteer Board, however, lose effectiveness.

In this power-packed, rapid-fire session, learn how to be sure you can make a difference by knowing where to focus and what to do. Explore personal behaviors that prepare you for leadership when heavy issues are on the table.

It’s a Risky World….and that’s GREAT news for Credit Unions

Ken Proctor
(Level 2, 3 credits, Safety & Soundness Category)

As a result of the financial crisis, many credit unions see opportunities to grow and compete more directly with commercial banks, adding disaffected customers to their membership rosters. And they aren’t stopping at consumer members. Many credit unions are looking to offer or expand their member business lending programs.

In this dynamic session, Ken Proctor, will discuss how taking a more strategic view of ERM, will enable credit unions to focus on the upside of risk; positioning them to take advantage of opportunities and managing risks to create more value for their members. He will provide practical advice on establishing an ERM program and the role of volunteer Board members in making the program effective.

Motivating Board Volunteers and Bringing FUN to the Boardroom

Carl Rummel
(Level 2, 3 credits, Board Operations & Development Category)

It’s no secret that the work of credit union boards has become dramatically more challenging, time consuming and sometimes downright scary in the past few years. Sometimes you may ask yourself, “Why do I want to do this?” Even more challenging might be the prospect of recruiting more people to join us on the board. Credit union people are passionate, but sometimes we need some new approaches to keep us motivated. Carl Rummel is a real world practitioner. He will inspire you to engage, excite, energize and enrich your board experience.

Today’s Economy and the Risks for Your Credit Union

Mike Schenk
Hear from one of CUNA’s senior economists about the state of the economy and trends that will affect your credit union. Find out about the state of financial regulatory reform, the mortgage market, lending trends and more. And more importantly, find out how these circumstances and forecasts affect our credit union’s risk assessment and management strategies.

Understanding the Risks in Your Balance Sheet

Mike Schenk
(Level 2, 3 credits, Safety & Soundness Category)

The NCUA has made it clear that board members need to step up their game when it comes to understanding the credit union’s financials as well as the risks that may be hidden in those numbers and ratios. Mike Schenk will walk you through some of these reports and numbers and help make sure that these complicated issues are clear as can be.

The Changing Role of Officials

Ron Parker
(Level 2, 3 credits, Safety & Soundness Category)

An essential role of credit union officials is to gain an understanding of the risk profile of their credit union and how all risk categories are being monitored and measured by management. Risk oversight as well as an effective reporting system of risk assessment and trend analysis is another key function of officials. Officials are expected by their membership to be diligent and well-informed in the identification and management of material business risks. In many risk areas, historical measuring and monitoring processes may be no longer be relevant for your credit union.

This session will provide officials with a Watch List of specific areas that boards need to focus on such as: Profitability of products, services and delivery systems, maintenance of capital, improving efficiency, developing economic and credit risk contingency plans, developing a merger/exit strategy, more effective planning and budgeting, stakeholder evaluation and reward systems.

Codes of Conduct for Directors

Ron Parker
(Level 2, 3 credits, Governance Category)

Let’s face it: what’s common sense to one person is a surprise to another. Ethical considerations are significant issues that need to be addressed head on, codified and brought to the attention of all involved parties before any problems can arise. This session will address conflicts of interest for directors and how to recognize, disclose and avoid them. Make sure your entire team is on the “same page” with a clear policy and remove the possibilities of too much gray area that can cause problems down the road.

Affiliation with CUNA/League is required for attendance.

CPE Credits

Dan Clark

Ron Parker, CPA

Mike Schenk

Carl Rummel

Yvonne Evers

Tina K. Hall