It's out with paper board packets and in with iPads at OMNICommunity Credit Union.

During its recent monthly meeting, the Battle Creek, Mich.-basedcredit union's board went completely paperless and used iPads toreview documents and work with materials.

According to OMNI CCU CEO Ted Parsons, after experiencing theiPad's convenience and ease of use firsthand, he and the executiveteam saw the benefits for board use as well.

“Our entire executive team has been using the iPad formeetings,” he said. “I sit on several boards and was always gettingseveral board packets monthly until I got the iPad and could simplyopen a file and scroll through the packets without printing themouat.”

Wanting the eight-member board to feel comfortable with thetechnology, the credit union provided training and loaded thedevices with a variety of apps ranging from USA Today to theWeather Channel. Prior to the August board meeting, OMNI CommunityCU held 90-minute individual and group iPad training sessionstailored around board members' questions.

Parsons said the iPads have also helped the $250 million creditunion go green and the iPads will pay for themselves.

“And, since all previous packets can be accessed, they no longerhave to worry about storage or even shredding the documents,”Parsons added.