Credit Union Marketers Assemble Bikes for Kids

Credit union marketers are making a lasting impact on the San Antonio community during the CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council Conference.

Attendees at a preconference workshop called “The Difference” worked together to assemble bikes that will be donated to children from the Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio.

“For many people, getting a bicycle is a part of growing up. These kids just don’t have that,” says Andy Reed, who led the workshop.

Reed is president/CEO of Texas People Federal Credit Union in Fort Worth. He is also former chair of the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council Executive Committee, which helps organize the conference.

“When the kids come and get the bikes get the bikes, that’s the coolest moment ever. Their faces—it's like Christmas,” says Reed, who has participated in similar efforts in previous years.

The kids will be thrilled, says Roxanne Garza, volunteer and events coordinator with the Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio. Receiving a brand new bike is unheard of for many of the kids that attend club activities, says Garza.

Garza says that to fulfill its mission, her organization depends on volunteer efforts, such as the one at the conference, and support from other organizations.

Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio serves youth by offering technology centers and a variety of after-school and summer programs including homework assistance.

CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council Conference attendees have been very interested in having service opportunities while at the conference, Reed says.

In addition to supporting local children, the marketers received a hands-on leadership and collaboration experience.

Teams paired together based on a brief personality assessment at the beginning of the event. The groups had to brainstorm and collaborate to solve problems working with different types of leadership styles.

Read more coverage of the conference from CUNA News, and get live updates on Twitter via @CUNACraig and @cumagazine, and by using the #MBDCouncil hashtag.