Full Transcript for IRL: From Estes Park with Love

WEBVTT 00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:15.599 IRL from Estes Park with love. 00:00:16.480 --> 00:00:21.519 Welcome to season three of Curiously Driven. 00:00:21.920 --> 00:00:24.160 We are so excited to be back. 00:00:24.399 --> 00:00:46.640 Subscribe to our Curiously Driven podcast to listen to this piece while sipping a Diet Coke, cleaning out your inbox, shifting your summer clothes to the back of the closet, sitting nervously in the passenger seat as your daughter practices parallel parking, or dreaming up your newest grilled pizza recipe. 00:00:47.200 --> 00:00:57.679 It might be surprising for someone outside the credit union movement to know that events have played an important role in financial cooperatives for years. 00:00:57.920 --> 00:01:04.959 One of the earliest was held in Estes Park, Colorado, on August 10th, 1934. 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:14.400 20 states were represented by 52 delegates, and what is now America's Credit Unions, formerly CUNA, was formed. 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:39.280 According to American bankers, CUNA to recreate iconic photo where it all started, quote, the site was proposed by CU pioneer Claude Orchard, who suggested a national park in Colorado that was a favorite of his because many people would have to take vacation time to attend and because it would require travel from both coasts, unquote. 00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:43.760 From those early beginnings, gatherings have continued. 00:01:44.000 --> 00:01:47.840 Natural person credit unions host their annual meetings. 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:55.200 While many host smaller or virtual annual meetings, some create incredibly special events. 00:01:55.439 --> 00:02:12.240 In fact, according to Summit Credit Union's 2025 annual report, the Wisconsin Credit Union hosted 2,878 people at their 2025 Summit Fest, described as both an annual membership meeting and appreciation event. 00:02:12.479 --> 00:02:17.199 My first credit union, best source credit union, served Macy's employees. 00:02:17.360 --> 00:02:23.280 I remember the stories of the annual meeting being hosted in downtown Detroit with dinner and dancing. 00:02:23.439 --> 00:02:32.000 The credit union had a bus that would stop at the department stores all around Metro Detroit and pick up members to converge at the annual meeting. 00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:39.280 This past week, I was reminded of why these in real life connections matter so deeply. 00:02:39.599 --> 00:02:54.159 Our Orsa Credit Union grand opening of our Novi Michigan branch brought together team members, members, board members, community leaders, nonprofit organizations, neighbors, family members, and friends. 00:02:54.400 --> 00:03:01.360 As I walked around the room and visited with those who joined us, the new branch buzzed with energy. 00:03:01.520 --> 00:03:05.199 With a DJ playing, people danced as they chatted. 00:03:05.439 --> 00:03:10.960 The food, especially desserts, drew people in for seconds and thirds. 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:17.039 The speeches elevated the story of Orsa and the experience of community. 00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:22.000 One member stopped and asked, why does the building look like this? 00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:23.919 I was so thrilled, he asked. 00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:29.120 I shared that our open concept is intended to be our living room. 00:03:29.280 --> 00:03:37.120 I talked with him about how, for many people, using a financial institution can feel intimidating and even shame-inducing. 00:03:37.360 --> 00:03:51.120 I explained that removing lines and physical barriers allows our team to connect on a human level with our members and the community and sends a signal that we put people first. 00:03:52.080 --> 00:03:54.879 This member nodded and said, that made sense. 00:03:55.199 --> 00:04:01.599 He also told me that he'd been with us since the mid-1970s and he'd be sticking with us. 00:04:01.919 --> 00:04:08.319 During my remarks that evening, I shared that every Sunday in my house we host Pizza Night. 00:04:08.479 --> 00:04:11.840 We've been doing so since before my daughter Mackenzie was born. 00:04:11.919 --> 00:04:14.319 So it's been over 16 years. 00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:15.759 I grow pizza. 00:04:15.919 --> 00:04:20.560 While the pizza is so fun to create, and I look forward to eating it all week. 00:04:20.720 --> 00:04:23.920 The pizza is not the centerpiece. 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:28.399 The people are, especially since we've moved back to Michigan. 00:04:28.560 --> 00:04:31.439 My in-laws and my parents come nearly every weekend. 00:04:31.680 --> 00:04:35.040 We have friends, loved ones, and colleagues who join us. 00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:38.560 Each quarter, I create a new playlist for Pizza Night. 00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:41.920 I curate songs from across genres and decades. 00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:47.199 Click here for a Pizza Night playlist from 2025 to get a sense. 00:04:47.439 --> 00:04:53.839 Often, when family or friends are with us, they'll remark about the playlist or songs that they enjoy. 00:04:54.079 --> 00:05:00.160 Similarly, as I make the pizza, our guests can count on one with pesto and mozzarella every week. 00:05:00.319 --> 00:05:14.959 Just as often, our guests can also count on a new creation like croque moucheur, Dijon mustard, gruyere, ham, and cornichants, or a barbecue pizza, barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese, pulled pork, and coleslaw. 00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:20.720 Pizza Night connects across the senses as the playlist comes to life. 00:05:20.959 --> 00:05:26.079 People chat about their week, the sense of pulled pork cooking all day long linger. 00:05:26.560 --> 00:05:36.879 Dogs get a pet behind the ears, hugs are exchanged, and quick snacks of bacon or cheese get snagged as the dough rises and the cheese bubbles. 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:42.800 Typically, everyone huddles in the kitchen and I zip back and forth between the kitchen and the grill. 00:05:42.959 --> 00:05:50.240 My dad, Floyd, and my father-in-law Jeff often make sure the sliding