Smaller asset-sized credit unions recently attended the New York Credit Union Association Metropolitan Chapter’s 2018 Joy Cousminer Workshop in New York City. The workshop focused on accounting basics and compliance updates.

The event kicked off at the St. John’s Baptist Church with a session on the basic terminology that is part of credit union accounting and financial reporting. The presentation helped attendees understand how the work that credit union professionals do serving their members relates to the credit union’s overall finances.

Linda Bow, Association compliance director, led a session on compliance and the latest changes to rules and regulations impacting credit unions.

“The workshop was attended by a terrific group of credit union leaders. I am looking forward to participating in another workshop with them in early 2019,” said Bow.

The event concluded with a networking luncheon that allowed for credit union professionals to share their ideas and review key takeaways from the workshop.

The conference is named after the late Joy Cousminer, who was the longtime head of the former Bethex FCU in the Bronx. A frequent mentor of community development in credit unions, Cousminer founded the “We Care Network” of small credit unions in New York in an effort to foster support and cooperation. The We Care Network became a training ground and idea-exchange center for small credit unions.

“This workshop plays an important role in keeping smaller credit unions in the Metropolitan Chapter cohesive and together – they really represent everything that credit unions stand for,” said John C. Gibardi, the president/CEO of Entertainment Industries FCU, Association board secretary and Metropolitan Chapter president. “Joy Cousminer was a leader in the Metropolitan Chapter for many, many years, and she exemplified the credit union philosophy. It’s a privilege to carry on Joy’s mission with her namesake workshops.”