New Directors' Boot Camp Training introduced by Dan Clark Associates
TALLAHASSEE, FL – March 24, 2008 – Designed to shorten the learning curve of a novice Credit Union Director this interactive training sends participants home with renewed enthusiasm and a focused perspective of their position within the union they serve.
“New Directors historically have spent between two and four years getting fully up to speed on their duties,” notes Clark. “The driving force behind this Boot Camp was the fact that few credit unions have substantial orientation programs. More knowledge gained early on can have an incredibly positive impact on an organization.”
Clark has written an 11-page report “Developing a New Director Orientation Program” that highlights what our laws, regulations and people expect from board members today. This report is downloadable, at no charge, at www.newdirectorsbootcamp.com
Dan Clark has been in the credit union movement since 1971 holding positions in regulation (examiner and State Administrator for Florida), credit union director, and a credit union CEO. Since 1981, Dan has been consulting, coaching, and training credit union directors and helping boards achieve more through education, superior governance and effective planning.
For more information, go to www.newdirectorsbootcamp.com.
"What Do Boards Do, Anyway?" Feedback on Dan's session for non-profit staff
- Wish more of my board was here.
- It met my expectations because I got a "better understanding of the roles of Boards."
- I have started the forward focused meetings and have felt much better about them. I am more committeed now to continue along that path.
- Before the session "I knew very little about what boards do and now I know what should be expected."
- Very good and effective speaker.
Posted 6-7-2007
Feedback from Dan's May 2007 presentation, "Coaching Skills for Managers"
- Very engaging speaker.
- The workshop met my expectations because "I was able to get information that will allow me to become an effective coach."
- Mr. Clark was very knowledgeable and presented well.
- Dan Clark is very effective.
- It was inspiring.
- Brought to light fresh perspectives, approaches ...
- I feel empowered to take on a role of "coach" as opposed to always "advising."
- Very interactive -- funny and great info.
Posted 6-7-2007
DCA Announces New Delivery Method for Private Training
Bring us into your credit union on the World Wide Web! Seems logical enough. Credit unions are selecting more and more Webinars from their Leagues and other associations. In the comfort of office or home, the material is delivered with sight and sound, and no travel. And one registration can train one or more. Those public Webinars offer great advantages but often prevent attendees from asking questions pertinent to their situation.
A private Webinar is the answer. You can bring into your credit union just about any topic on our long list of topics with great cost-effectiveness. A DCA professional will deliver a topic in 45 - 75 minutes, and use the remaining portion of the two-hour block to answer questions and cover issues specific to your credit union. At just $990, a private webinar fits nicely between the impersonal public Webinars and the cost of sending one person out, or bringing one speaker in.
A Solution to Preserve the Credit Union Tax Exemption and Meet the Charter's Social Goals
The current national movement for financial literacy is a non-event in credit union-land. Credit unions have consistently made member education part of their service efforts to their members since the beginning, about three-quarters of a century ago. Many other non-profit organizations, such as Consumer Credit Counseling Services, also provide education because their tax exemptions (and contributions) provide room in the budgets to do it. For-profit organizations cannot afford to do it because consumers have been loath to pay for it, no matter how much they need it.
Experience shows that literacy is one thing. Changed behaviors is another thing. One way credit unions are enhancing their educational efforts is through financial coaching. Financial coaching differs from credit counseling in one important way — the intent. The intent of credit counseling is to help the member get out of financial trouble. Financial coaching’s intent is for the member to prevent financial trouble and to begin building wealth. Financial coaching is the bridge between remedial credit counseling and investment planning.
The use of professional coaches is becoming mainstream — common people are finding the value for all sorts of life’s concerns and financial issues will be a growing consumer demand. Credit unions can position themselves to take advantage of that growing demand and the trust that members have in them by getting a jump on the financial coaching business.
Dan Clark, seeing the need for credit unions to get more involved in financial coaching, to own that service, has spoken to national and regional groups about it. More than that, he has invested in providing the training to credit unions who want their employees involved. A series of workshops are planned for 2007, and the firm offers private workshops to credit unions.
Learn more by visiting FinancialCoachTraining.com
Posted 2/25/2007
Client Comments
A variety of comments from planning participants and conference attendees.
Planning
"Best strategic planning session I have been to in 10 years as a board member. Joan gave us concise instructions, had a relaxed demeanor, and allowed lots of brainstorming among participants."
"Dan Clark is a knowledgeable facilitator."
"The board truly worked toward a strategic plan, not operations."
"Focused us on issues that have been nagging us over the years."
"Use of simple models helped me work with complex ideas. Good set up with small groups and breakout sessions."
"There was a lot of interaction while still maintaining the focus of the retreat!"
"Better discussion!! This was fertile ground for sharing different ideas. Since we were not developing operating plans we thought strategically."
"Expectations were surpassed. This session was a "fresh" approach to planning and will give us an excellent tool for expanding our previous plans."
"Dan kept us on track, and kept the ideas flowing."
"Kept everyone's attention; stayed on track."
Training
"Caused me to think about challenging our norms such as board packet, meeting agenda, and CEO evaluation."
--Steven Dunn, Chair, Boeing Wichita CU
"[Dan's] understanding of the material is excellent."
--Joe Droney, Sr., Chair, Atlantic Financial FCU
"Levity was great. Enjoyed the humor."
--Janice Phillips, Director, 1st Advantage FCU
"Dan is a fantastic presenter. He is very thorough, easy to listen to, and worth listening to."
--Marge Ramsey, Secretary, 310 Community CU
"Great ideas on what directors should be doing. Very much to the point."
"The "dead horse" illustration is good -- but when did you observe my board?"
"Board procedures will be changed at our credit union because of what I learned. Also, the focus of our board will be more directed to the macro area."
"Dan - terrific sessions. You didn't just philosophize - you've been there and you've done it. I would recommend it to any chairman or potential chairman."
"I was impressed in the ability to include everyone, especially those who normally do not contribute."
"Dan, your presentation (Who's Driving Credit Unions?) was thought provoking. You had their individual attention."
"Joan was very helpful! She was knowledgeable and professional."
"[It was] exciting to look at the future with provocative discussion. "
"[Dan was] a good speaker with a sense of humor; very dynamic; wonderfully informative."
"Informative, affirmative, and entertaining -- good job!"
"A dynamic, stimulating presentation that provokes thinking, understanding and participation!"
Dan Clark Associates, LLC
Tallahassee, Florida
Mobile 850-559-7094