Madison, Wis.-based consulting firm 6^th Story said it is looking for a few credit unionsready to go beyond the talk of collaboration among cooperatives,and take part in a joint strategic planning session this Septemberin Austin, Texas.

“The sixth cooperative principle insists that credit unions mosteffectively serve their members and the cooperative movement byworking together with other cooperatives,” said Matt Davis, 6thStory president. “Right now we have 6,800 credit unions approachingstrategic planning as individual entities. Cooperation amongcooperatives can improve the quality of outcomes, while drivingdown the cost.”

He added that while it's easier for larger credit unions toabsorb the costs of facilitators or subject matter experts, themajority of credit unions usually go without.

According to Davis, the new centralized approach to planningwould be a way to share costs across the total number of creditunions participating.

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“For now, the idea is simply to connect credit unions,facilitators, and subject matter experts. As time goes on, I candefinitely see other community organizations being part of this,”he said. “We're putting our money where our mouth is and bookedspace in Austin, Texas for a joint strategic planning session.We're hoping as credit unions learn about this concept we canschedule sessions all over the country.”

He added that those participating will also be able to learnfrom each other while privately planning for their creditunion.

A webinar will beheld on April 2, 2014 to further discuss the initiative whileexploring how other regions can also get involved.

6th Story is dedicated to helping cooperatives, especiallycredit unions, realize their potential through collaboration amongcooperatives.