COLUMBIA, SC—Five regional chapters of credit unions have selected their respective candidates for the Second Annual South Carolina Credit Union League Palmetto Protégé Competition, recognizing emerging professionals and supporting the employment and membership opportunities credit unions provide. The five finalists will vie for selection as the South Carolina Palmetto Protégé on Friday, April 12 at the 2013 SCCUL Annual Meeting in Myrtle Beach.
Chapter winners in 2013 are: Candice Brady (SC State CU), representing the Columbia Chapter; Amanda Crawford (Carolina Foothills FCU), representing the Piedmont Chapter; Will Crosswell (Palmetto First FCU), representing the Pee Dee Chapter; Allison Gilmore (ArrowPointe FCU), representing the Catawba Chapter; and Stephanie Ownby (SC Federal CU), representing the Charleston Area Chapter.
Chapter candidates were judged on credit union knowledge, communication skills, personality, and professional appearance. Each candidate has completed a standardized exam and has chosen a presentation topic from a League-approved list that includes credit union philosophy, economics, viability, activism, and promotion.
“The Palmetto Protégé Competition showcases some of our brightest emerging leaders,” said SCCUL President and CEO Steve Fowler. “This year’s candidates provide a glimpse of our future and the quality of leadership to take South Carolina’s credit unions to new levels of success.”
The South Carolina Palmetto Protégé will serve as and peer advocate for credit unions and liaison to CU Forward: The Leadership Initiative—a group of forward-thinking, driven, cooperative, and connected leaders. Responsibilities for the Palmetto Protégé coordinated by SCCUL will include:
- Presentations at each of the state’s five chapters on his or her background, experience, CU Forward, and the Palmetto Protégé program
- Participation in the SCCUL Leadership Conference as secondary presenter and CU Forward advocate
- Liaison to CU Forward Roundtables held during his or her term as Palmetto Protégé
- Regular contributions via social media including the SCCUL Facebook page
An immediate benefit to the SC Palmetto Protégé is first choice of these developmental scholarships. Two runners-up will choose from remaining options.
- Southeast CUNA Management School (June 7-14, Athens, GA) – One-year registration, valued at more than $1,300 (requires commitment to three-year program)
- National Youth Involvement Board Annual Conference (July 29-Aug 1, San Diego, CA) – Registration and lodging, valued at $1,300
- South Carolina Hike the Hill (May 14-16 or Sept 10-11, Washington, DC) – Full participation including airfare and lodging, valued at $1,000
- CUNA Marketing School (June 3-6, Ft. Lauderdale, FL) – Tuition, valued at $1,495
For more information about the South Carolina Palmetto Protégé Competition, contact SCCUL’s Brandon Pugh or Courtney Jackson at commpr@sccul.org or call 800-235-4290.