Crash the GAC, an initiative to involve young people in issues and events critical to the credit union system, is in its fourth year.

This year’s select group of 19 young credit union professionals has taken on an audacious goal: to research, design, and build a new tool to support credit unions as they serve young entrepreneurs.

The Crashers’ week begins with a half-day Design Thinking Workshop on Sunday.

Design Thinking is an innovation practice that uses human-centered research, storytelling, and rapid prototyping to solve problems. The group interviewed and observed local small-business owners and, based on the observed patterns, landed on one solution.

The Crashers will have one day following the GAC to bring their idea to life.

“Economic and technological changes have created new needs for young entrepreneurs,” says Crash the GAC Founder Brent Dixon. “To best assist small businesses, we must understand those needs.”

In addition to their small-business project, the GAC Crashers will spend the week meeting with credit union system leaders, hiking the hill, and entertaining attendees with their annual Thunderpunch party.

Crash the GAC is a project by The Cooperative Trust, a development network for young credit union professionals incubated by the Filene Research Institute. PSCU Financial Services sponsors the project, and CUNA Mutual Group funds The Cooperative Trust.

Learn more and get involved by visiting trust.coop.