CUNA News
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • Topics
    • Community Service
    • Compliance
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Credit Union System
    • Directors
    • Human Resources
    • Leadership
    • Lending
    • Marketing
    • Operations
    • Policy & Issues
    • Sales & Service
    • Technology
  • Credit Union Magazine
    • Buyers' Guide
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Edition
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Awards
    • Nominate Credit Union Hero
    • Nominate Credit Union Rock Star
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Contact

News

Home » The power of a voice
Credit Union Hero Directors

The power of a voice

Creating a sense of community and belonging is key, says Robyn Cousin.

January 31, 2022
Jennifer Plager
No Comments
Robyn Cousin

Robyn Cousin’s voice is a powerful tool, and she uses it to make a difference and advocate for those who need it most.

“I can influence the direction and the vision of what we do from wherever I am with my voice,” says Cousin, board vice chair at $3.5 billion asset Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union in St. Paul, Minn. “I use any opportunity to be a voice for those who aren’t at the table.” 

When she joined the Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union board in 2016, her goal was to be the “voice for the disenfranchised,” not only people facing racial and income disparities but those lacking financial well-being.

The board began examining policies, procedures, and services offered during strategic planning sessions to tackle these issues. Then, George Floyd was murdered in May 2020.

“That murder and the conversation it triggered opened up, in a more amplified way, not only the challenges but the opportunities that were before us,” Cousin says. 

‘I use any opportunity to be a voice for those who aren’t at the table.’
Robyn Cousin

The credit union wanted to respond but knew its response needed to recognize that people had different levels of experience and understanding of the events that had just happened. Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union CEO Dave Larson reached out to Cousin—who lives a few miles from where the murder took place and had a community connection to Floyd—for her input on how to respond.

The result was a board statement centering on the themes of equity and inclusion while addressing what took place. 

“A lot of organizations were coming up with statements,” Cousin says. “We wanted it to be significant and embedded in our core, our culture, our policies and practices, our services, and our inclusion and commitment.” 

Creating a sense of community and belonging was key, and Cousin says it’s something Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union continues to do today. The credit union highlights these efforts in its first Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging report, which describes actions—big and small—that have had an impact. 

The work isn’t done, and Cousin will continue to use her voice. “The future is volatile, but it has so many opportunities,” she says. “If we stay where we are, we risk everything. We need to be open to possibilities and nimble enough to grasp them.”

Vote now for the 2022 Credit Union Hero of the Year, sponsored by Symitar.

KEYWORDS Credit Union Hero

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Credit Union Magazine: Spring 2022

Spring 2022

Credit Union Magazine’s Spring 2022 edition profiles four Credit Union Heroes and examines CUNA's advocacy priorities, the advocacy army, and financial well-being for all.
Digital Edition •  Subscribe

Trending

  • House passes CUNA-backed fair hiring bill

  • House committee to mark up field of membership modernization bill

  • Final flood Q&As reflect CUNA-sought clarifications

Tweets by CUNA_News

Polls

Are you ready for CECL?

View Results
More

Champion for the Credit Union Movement

Credit Union National Association is the most influential financial services trade association and the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America's credit unions. We work tirelessly to protect your best interests in Washington and all 50 states. We fuel your professional growth at every level and champion the credit union story at every turn.

More CUNA

  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • Careers

Resources for

  • Credit Union Advocates
  • Leagues
  • Press
  • Providers

Our Affiliates

  • American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL)
  • Credit Union Awareness
  • Credit Union House
  • CUNA Strategic Services
  • National Credit Union Foundation
GET CUNA UPDATES
© 2022 Credit Union National Association | ADA Compliance Notice & Legal
Email Us