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Congratulations to CT’s Newest Development Educators

November 21, 2022
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Congratulations to James Higgins, President and CEO of Skyline Financial FCU, and Roberto Delgado, Community Outreach Coordinator for Northeast Family FCU, on being the latest credit union professionals to complete the National Credit Union Foundation’s development education (DE) training. DE training is a deep dive into the philosophies and principles of credit unions which allows program graduates the ability to leverage the credit union’s unique business model to grow their credit union and improve their members’ financial health.

Here’s the experience James and Roberto shared with us in their own words--

James Higgins—

“To my CT CU family- let’s start out by saying, “WOW, that was the best class ever.” The credit union movement is much more than helping our members and our communities, it is a world-wide effort. We have an opportunity to make a major impact on the world and how financial well-being for all is not as far of reach as it may appear. After a week-long training in Wisconsin, I was able to learn through numbers of people, we can make a large impact. We’re seeing it with the “great resignations” or “quiet quitting”. People are working in groups and its generating change. We, as credit union professionals, can generate change if we unite closer together and continue to drive the paradigm shift of financial lives. I think it’s imperative that every CEO go through DE training. At day one, you’re just you. No titles, no assets conversations, no profitability conversations, just human. You’re assigned to work in groups of eight individuals from who arrived from around the world. After a week together, you are no longer strangers, you are not even colleagues or friends, you are family. We built a comradery together and have a new passion and drive to further the credit union movement. Fortunately for me, I was able to attend on scholarship through our CT League Foundation. After returning, I’ve already built out a list of who I’m sending for the future years from my credit union team. If you’ve ever thought, “nah, I don’t need that” or “my team is good, we don’t need to go” then that is the exact reason to go. Keep an open mind, trust the process, and most of all, creating credit union family for life among your networks.”

Roberto Delgado—

“When I was introduced to the Credit Union Development Educator Program, I was hesitant. The concept of leaving home and the ones I love to go somewhere foreign and learn with people from all around the country was intimidating. Especially since I do not have as much experience as many of the people that were at DE. However, If I had the opportunity to do this all over again, I would do it without hesitation. The Development Educator Program was one of the most life changing experiences I have had and will ever have.

Throughout this journey I learned how to view the world through different a lens, I learned that everybody has an equal voice no matter how much experience we have. I met some truly incredible people that today I am honored and privileged to call friends. While learning we had phrases that really motivated us to keep immersing ourselves. One of the phrases that resonated with me was, “If it is to be, it is up to me”. This phrase could be applied in every facet of life. To me, this means that if I want to see change within my life, I have to be that change. If I want to see change within my credit union, I have to be that change. If I want to see change within my community, I have to be that change. It is my strong belief that the credit union, although not explicitly, holds this phrase very close to our ideals and goals. Because of this, I am so proud and thankful that I get to work for such an incredible institution.

There is a saying that goes “Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day, teach a man how to fish and you will feed him for a lifetime.” It is my strong belief that our underserved communities need a fish AND need to learn how to fish. Our credit union has the tools and resources to make that change. My second realization is, when I started at the credit union, I was in a hole. I needed a lifeline. The credit union and its leadership were my lifeline. I believe that we can continue, as an institution, to be other people’s lifelines as well. Lastly, I realized that I want to continue pursuing a career within the credit union. I want to become a leader amongst my peers and a leader within the institution. I am very grateful to the Credit Union Leadership and the Board of Directors for allowing me this opportunity. I will rise to the challenge and demonstrate with my actions that this investment was not in vain. This opportunity that was granted to me, should be granted to others within the credit union as well. It will ignite, reignite, and cultivate the spirit of the credit union difference. Let us be that lifeline.”