Three People’s Trust FCU employees graduate from Principles & Philosophy Conference

People’s Trust employees at the Principles & Philosophy Conference (from left) are Cynthia Daly, Maggie Vela, Angela McCathran, Aaron Eichenberg, and Jerica McClain. Kneeling in front is Ty Robbins.

People’s Trust Federal Credit Union has produced three new graduates from the sixth Principles and Philosophies Conference hosted in Houston May 13 – 15.

Principles & Philosophy is conducted over three days (two half days and one full day) and educates credit union employees about how and why credit unions exist. The conference is a mini version of the National Credit Union Foundation’s Credit Union Development Education Program (CUDE). While the conference only hits the surface of what the CUDE covers, it gives employees a good insight of why they should further their education and attend the national program.

Although the new graduates aren’t CUDE certified, they gained a deeper understanding of cooperatives, operating principles, credit union history, and the structure of the credit union movement.

People’s Trust President/CEO Angela McCathran gave opening remarks about the importance of understanding the purpose of credit unions. Facilitating the conference was Lily Newfarmer, president/CEO of Tarrant County’s CU, and Courtney Moran, executive director of the Cornerstone Credit Union Foundation.

“Being able to attend the conference turned my job into more of a career,” said conference attendee and People’s Trust employee Aaron Eichenberg.

Eichenberg was one of the three People’s Trust graduates. The other employees were Maggie Vela and Jerica McClain. People’s Trust also provided two CUDE-certified table mentors – Ty Robbins, chief information officer, and Cynthia Daly, director of internal audit.

When asked about her role as a table mentor, Daly said “It was a fascinating experience. I valued the opportunity to work with the young professionals who will be the future pioneers of the credit union movement.”

While the 28 attendees came from credit unions all over the region, it was clear that People’s Trust had a major presence at the hometown conference. On the last day, it was revealed that Principles and Philosophies was the brainchild and CUDE project of McCathran and Newfarmer.

Passionate about spreading the credit union difference, McCathran encourages her employees to further their credit union education, sending a total of about 50 employees to the CUDE Program or the Principles and Philosophy Conference.

The Principles and Philosophy Conference is offered annually through the Cornerstone Credit Union League.

About People’s Trust, A Financial Cooperative
People’s Trust, formerly Shell Employees Federal Credit Union, is a full-service financial co-op. Since 1935, People’s Trust has returned profits to members in the form of higher dividends on savings, lower loan rates, and reduced fees. Though based in Houston, People’s Trust serves members across the world. For more information, please visit www.peoplestrustfcu.org.