Committees

All OpSS Council members are encouraged to join a committee. Brief descriptions and approximate time commitments for each committee appear below. To join, or to get further information, just contact OpSS Council Program Coordinator Teresa Steele.

> Communications Committee
> Conference Committee
> Education & Awards Committee
> Membership Committee

Communications Committee

The Communications Committee is responsible for the development of publications and communiqués each council member receives. Specific duties may include:

• Writing or soliciting content for the council’s newsletter
• Recommending topics and editing final drafts of the council’s white papers
• Recommending and generating content for the council’s web site and other online communication
• Coordinating additional communication vehicles or special updates

Time commitment: May vary depending on priorities; plan on 2 weeks total throughout the year.

Conference Committee

The Conference Committee works to create a successful conference experience for the council and its membership. Specific duties may include:

• Helping identify the conference theme, direction, and speakers
• Building a relevant topic agenda
• Identifying social activities and other value-added benefits
• Promoting the conference to members and other potential attendees
• Leveraging resources to help the council make the most of its conference dollars
• Assisting speakers in clarifying session content and direction

Time commitment: Plan on 1-2 hours per week throughout the year (up to 2-3 hours for subcommittee chairs). Commitment starts at the close of the previous year’s conference; however, the bulk of the work occurs in the 6 months before the conference.

Education & Awards Committee

Mission – To ensure the production of quality white papers, to provide valuable content to the file listserv and assist in the development, review and promotion of OpSS-related educational resources.

Key Functions –

• Recommend topics and editing final drafts of the council's white papers.
• Recommend and generate content for the council's file listserv on the web site.
• Review and recommend criteria for Councils Best Practices Awards program. Coordinate communication and marketing vehicles for the program. Review entries for same and determine winners.
• Collaborating with CUNA's Center for Professional Development to evaluate educational curricula, schools and certification program.
• Work with CPD to create and promote webinars of interest to Council members.
• Work with CUNA and Council staff to raise the awareness of educational resources with Council members, prospects and individuals eligible for OpSS Council scholarships.
• Review /provide input on educational and research publications.
• Present at or monitor educational programs.

Time Commitment – Varies depending on established goals. Bi-monthly conference calls (60 minutes each) plus 1-4 additional hours per month throughout the year, more if an individual is involved in monitoring or presenting.

Annual Goals – The Communications & Education Committee has the following goals for 2008:

• Publish four white papers.
• Upgrade content of file library with 60 additional documents.
• Select winners for Best Practices Awards Program.
• Sponsor 4 webinars of interest to OpSS Council members during 2008.
• Provide input on curriculum of CUNA's Branch Management; Sales and Service; and World Class Customer Service Institutes. Have a presence at these events.
• Review opportunities for podcasts and virtual roundtables.
• Provide input on CUNA's 2007 E-Scan.

Action Items – To achieve these goals the following activities/timing will take place, with the support of the committee members and CUNA staff –

White Papers: Topics for 2008 white papers were determined at the end of 2007. All writers will be identified and secured by first quarter of 2008. Calendar set for drafts to be reviewed.

Website/File Library: Review content and determine gaps and identify topics /examples for added postings during first quarter. Once topics are identified, promote contributions from members. Achieve a target of five contributions per month.

Best Practices Awards: Review categories and criteria/ measurement, making any changes deemed necessary by early March. Promote Awards program to members from March through July 2008. Recruit judges and determine timetable /process for judging.

Webinars: Come up with topics for 2008 webinars by March 2008. Identify potential presenters for webinars and schedule by March 2008. Refine focus / content 6 weeks prior to each event. Promote webinars 3-5 weeks in advance of event.

Curriculum : Review school curriculum during first half of 2008 and identify volunteer to attend/report back on individual programs throughout year.

Podcasts/Virtual Roundtables: Review list serve for possible topics and then coordinate with CUNA. Target is for 2nd quarter and events would be quarterly.

E-Scan: Review / provide input to outline provided by CUNA's Research Department and review draft of same. 

2008 Education & Communications Committee Members:
Chair: Carolyn Jordan – Neighborhood Credit Union cjordan@myncu.com
Brenda Dunbar – CEFCU bdunbar@cefcu.com
Debbie Baumann – Mazuma Credit Union debbie.baumann@mazuma.org
Lori Reeves – Financial Partners Credit Union lorir@fpcu.org

Staff Contacts:
Ellis Waller – Manager, Membership & Communications ewaller@cuna.coop
Christopher Morris – Web Manager cmorris@cuna.coop
Bobbie Bischke – Associate Manager, Special Programs bbischke@cuna.coop
Teresa Steele – Program Coordinator tsteele@cuna.coop

CUNA Center for Professional Development Staff Support:
Meghann Dawson – Manager, Instructional Design mdawson@cuna.coop

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee helps define marketing development strategies and assists in activities to help grow council membership. Specific duties may include:

• Making personal phone calls in support of member development
• Representing the council at state and local meetings
• Guiding local members to effectively sell the council’s value to prospective members
• Leveraging relationships with leagues to support membership development efforts

Time commitment: Plan on 2-3 hours per week throughout the year, emphasizing the October-April renewal season, and the 90 days before the council’s conference.