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IIG: One of the Best Decisions I Made
September 15, 2022
What is IIG? I was sitting in my office asking myself the same thing right before I let my supervisor know I wanted to apply to be part of the 2022 Iowa Innovation Group (IIG). I had heard about it through a previous experience when I was a convention Crasher, and read about it on the ICUL website. The only thing I knew for certain was that the IIG group had to talk on stage at convention - but I needed to know more, so I took a chance and applied. This was easily one of the best decisions I made, because the next six months were some of the most rewarding and challenging of my credit union career.
After the application, which consisted of a few short questions and a personality survey, I was contacted by Filene Research Institute to set up a phone 
interview. A few weeks after the phone interview was complete, I got the email that I was going to part of the 2022 Iowa Innovation Group with an agenda for the next 6 months, as well as my first homework assignment. In that moment I had no idea how much I would learn about my peers, the credit union industry and myself in the coming months.
The energy in the room on our first in-person IIG meeting day was radiating. Walking into the room there were three tables, and we were split into the teams we would be working in up until we presented at convention. Despite the nerves and overload of information, we all had one thing in common and that was to help people. We came in there with ideas, solutions, thoughts, all ready to make a difference!
Throughout the following months my team, our mentor, and either Jodi from the ICUL or Cortney from Filene would meet weekly over the phone to go over the next phase of our IIG process. This time would also include more in person meetings, Zoom meetings and a few hours a week spent working on our projects. While some times were challenging, every step forward toward the end product was a huge success.
The final step in the IIG process is presenting all of your team’s hard work at the annual Iowa Credit Union Convention in 
front of your peers, co-workers, and biggest supporters. For me and my team members (Nicole, Joseph and Brittany) this was the moment we had all been waiting for!
If you are curious about IIG, like I once was, take the chance and apply to be a 2023 IIG participant. If you have an idea on how to better the credit union movement, our members, or your peers, consider applying. The innovation process will be one of your biggest challenges, but I promise it will be one of the most rewarding!
Hear what ICUL Member Services Manager, Jodi Allen, has to say about IIG. "The Iowa Innovation Group participants are always bright individuals who inspire me with their dedication to personal growth and improving our credit union space. The 2022 program participants are no different! It has been a joy to get to know them, and I'm extremely proud of the ideation and open minds that they've brought to the table. Looking forward to seeing this group hit the stage at convention!"
Interested in applying or know a great candidate? Applications and nominations for 2023 are currently open!
Myranda Reasoner is a branch manager at Greater Iowa Credit Union. She attended the 2022 Iowa Credit Union Convention through the Iowa Innovation Group program. Iowa Innovation Group (IIG) is a professional journey that focuses on creating solutions to challenges facing the credit union industry.