In 1977, my father opened up my first savings account at the Florida United Methodist credit union in Lakeland, FL. At the time, I really didn’t know what a credit union was other than a place to save money. I still remember how friendly Winnie was and how she treated me like I was a big client though I was just depositing money from ref-ing basketball games or working at the Florida Southern College post office where I attended. I still didn’t understand credit unions when I went to work for IBM Corporation at age 21 and joined the S.E. IBM Employees Federal Credit Union. But I still remember the great service I received from Susan there which kept me as a member for many years after leaving IBM.

Now that I understand the purpose of credit unions, I am very motivated to support their great work. It’s kind of ironic that now I speak to credit union groups all over North America. As I write, I am flying back from speaking at the Credit Union Executive Society meeting in Steamboat Springs, CO.

Like, every presentation I give, I was exhausted when I was finished. I gave everything I had to give but as usual when I give I also receive. I received new ideas, wonderful feedback and TERRIFIC service from the CUES staff. It came full circle Monday as I had the pleasure of working with the great team at CUES and some wonderful leaders from all over the country. They really bent over backwards to make me feel welcomed. Though I didn’t give my favorite presentation, Living Rich, I was able to talk about creating an environment of change and innovation. We talked about things that hold leaders back from giving their best, how to be passionately excellent about what you do, and generating new ideas. The movement has an institute that I have also had the pleasure of working with. It’s called the Filene Institute and they are all about innovation. The program is innovative in that the participants meet from 6:30 – 9:00 am and then most everyone go skiing until 3:00 when the meeting convenes and continues until 6:00 pm.

I love CU because of people who give selflessly to a cause they care about. Through my work with CU’s I have had the pleasure of meeting difference makers like Carol Schillois  who’s efforts are creating a new breed of entrepreneurs in developing countries.

Today, while I am traveling home, the CUES group will be talking about blogging and using online marketing. Their teacher, a 19 year old named Larissa Walkiw. We’ve got a lot to learn from young people.

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund and co-founder of the Jeffrey Roth Cycling Foundation. Click here for more information on professional speaker Tim Richardson.