OAS Staff Federal Credit Union has become the first credit unionnationally to build functional prosthetic hands for land minevictims.

Through the CU Philanthropy Group's partnership with OdysseyTeams Inc., the credit union's senior executives and staffersparticipated in the team development event as part of a kick-offfor OAS FCU's broader staff-development initiative.

“It was a great experience. The team-building promotes unity andhelps us focus, communicate and better understand each other,” saidOAS FCU CEO Carlos Calderon. “It's very important to have a united,strong team that cares and is there to help solve our members'problems because ultimately that is how we bring value tomembership.”

The Washington, D.C., credit union team built the hands, testedthem for functionality and decorated the delivery boxes, which willbe distributed through Odyssey Teams and Rotary International toland mine accident victims. All boxes sent included a photograph ofthe three-person assembly team.

“Participants were fully engaged, not just as teams with a task,but also in spirit as they assembled prosthetic hands and testedthem for quality of function,” reported CU Philanthropy GroupPresident Frank Hackney. “What begins as a very challenging andhighly effective team development and process improvement eventquickly shifts to a powerful embodiment of what it means to trulyserve a customer's needs.”

Calderon added that the event helped reinforce the creditunion's vision, mission and goals.

“It is a test of leadership and the ability to deal withdifferent personalities while building something that is extremelydifficult,” said Calderon. “The whole message that was beingreinforced is: We're here to find and provide solutions that helpmeet our members' financial needs.”

Calderon finds such value in fostering internal relationshipsthat six more staff development events throughout the year are inthe process of being planned. He said there is an inclusive cultureat the heart of OAS FCU.

“Every staff member attends our strategic planning meetingsbecause each is important. They aren't just a member servicerepresentative or loan officer, but they are part of somethingbigger, moving together to help our members,” said Calderon. “Forus staff development, team-building is an ongoing process.”

A nonprofit division of the Conference Group, the CUPhilanthropy Group's mission is to deliver customized, on-sitephilanthropic events to credit union leadership teams and boardswhile providing full staff training.

“At the core, we're working on staff process and communication,but in the end we're changing the life of another human on thisplanet. That's what credit unions are all about,” said Hackney.

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