The DE Difference: Nanci Wilson
Name: Nanci Wilson
Organization: Luminate (Louisiana Credit Unions)
Title: VP Of Member Solutions
When did you attend DE Training: September 2015
When did you mentor & facilitate DE Training: I went back as a graduation speaker the year after I graduated from CUDE and have been back several times as a mentor. I consider the cherry on the top to be asked to co-facilitate with Tobi in 2024! That filled my DE cup completely.
Why did you decide to attend DE training? When I attended CUDE, I was newly hired as a teller at a credit union. I had come from top 40 radio, so the movement was all new to me. I remember the CEO at the time calling me and saying she had heard about this “DE” course and thought that I would be perfect for it. Neither of us truly knew what it was, but I am so grateful that she thought of me. I had no idea that I was about to embark on a journey that would change me for the better.
What were your thoughts about DE training before you arrived/attended? I had no idea what to think about going into CUDE. It was the first time that I had traveled alone, let alone traveled to something for my position. Whenever I tried to ask folks who knew about DE what it was, they were oddly secretive. That made it exciting and nerve-wracking all at once!
Within the first two days I worried that maybe I was in over my head. People knew so much more than I did about the movement. With the help of Lois and her words of encouragement, I realized by day 3 that I not only belonged in the movement but had absolutely found my professional home. It was at CUDE that I realized who I was as a person meshed seamlessly with what the credit union movement was all about. That moment was life changing for me.
How did DE change you?
CUDE is the first place that I realized who I was as a person who did not need to change in order to be a part of the credit union universe. My heart, my mind, my voice, my personality – it was all welcomed within this movement and maybe even more so important, it was encouraged.
What were your top three takeaways from DE training?
There were so many lessons within the DE week, but I would say these are my top three:
- In order to keep the movement alive, we must talk about who we are and what we do any chance that we get. Education and storytelling are magic.
- Credit Unions are supposed to operate on the principles and philosophies that we were built upon. Having the credit union name is not enough. We must show our difference with action every single day.
- Our pioneers blazed a path of empathy, education, and innovation and it is our duty to continue that momentum each and every single day by meeting our internal, external, and potential members where they are.
How did you incorporate what you learned at DE into your job?
Because I was so new in the industry when I attended CUDE, I was eager to bring back ideas, ways to think outside of the box, and most of all empathy. I watched that entire week as people who had been in the industry for years were renewed in their credit union mission. It truly is awe inspiring how CUDE is for every single person regardless of their title or tenure.
What is your DE project:
I have had several projects, but my latest is called Dept. 701.
Dept. 701 started out as a quiet whisper of need within my community of folks needing hygiene items and day-to-day clothing.
701 is our area code and the tagline for Dept. 701 is “A safe space to love the human race”
I started it in the volunteer fire department building with just a few items. Word quickly spread and I outgrew that space quickly and needed a more permanent spot for people to come shop with dignity.
Working with a local group in my small North Dakota town, I was able to secure a brand-new shed to be placed on my property next to my home.
Dept. 701 houses clothing from newborn to adult plus, along with household items such as hygiene, cleaning, diapers, toilet paper, etc.
Through Facebook and texting, folks can contact me at a time when they are able to come take a look in the dept. Because I work from home, I can accommodate most people’s schedules and access to transportation.
People can shop with no questions asked with the only “rule” being that once they are on their feet, they give back in the form of donation.
Dept. 701 is completely fueled by community donations in both item and monetary form. I also have found great success in keeping an up-to-date Amazon wish list where many of my DE family have supported through the miles.
Dept. 701 has not only served my small community but has proudly supported surrounding communities as the needs and word have grown.
How Did you determine what your DE Project was going to be?
For me, it was all about finding out what my community needed the most. Living in a small town in North Dakota, I knew that access to a place like Dept. 701 was not only limited but difficult for people who did not have access to transportation. We live about 45 minutes from a much larger town and with North Dakota winter weather being harsh, there are times when people simply can’t get there for their needs.
What Development Issue(s) does your DE Project focus on?
Diversity & Equity: Everyone is welcome. No questions. No judgement
Inclusion: People are encouraged to voice their needs so that I can assist in locating them
Education: Each guest at Dept 701 is given a bag to place their items in that has local information about assistance programs.
Health: Providing a space for people to feel safe, seen, and heard for mental health
What were 3 key takeaways of completing your DE Project?
- The majority of people just need someone to listen. When someone comes to Dept 701 50% may be the need of items, but the other 50% is the need for someone to just listen without judgement.
- If something seems daunting to start, ask for help. There are more people willing to assist you in doing something good than you think.
- Seeing people, hearing people, and valuing people’s existence IS mental health awareness in action.
What impact(s) did your DE Project have on your community and the credit union organization?
Dept. 701 allowed people who had little or no access to transportation a close place to obtain items that they need. It also gave my community and surrounding community folks a way to give back by donating gently used clothing. It’s a project fueled by community.
