CHICAGO — Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker outlined his careerfor credit union executives attending CO-OP Financial Services'THINK 13 and encouraged them to persist in seeking innovation andchange.

CO-OP is holding the meeting at Chicago's Swissotel from April29 through May 2.

In his Wednesday appearance, Booker described his upbringing asbeing involved and surrounded, from a very early age, in a“conspiracy of love” that involved his parents, their friends andmany others. This “conspiracy” helped his father go to college eventhough he spent much of his life so poor he was effectivelyhomeless.

It also helped Booker launch his legal and political career withpeople who did not let the reality they were living limit thevision they held in their hearts and minds for what could, hesaid.

“I wanted to be sure to talk to you because I knew you wouldunderstand that,” Booker said. “You understand what it meansto make change every day in small ways, little ways that mount upto build something extraordinary,” he told his credit unionaudience.

Credit unions as part of the “conspiracy of love” understandthat they cannot give in to what was, Booker said, adding thatcredit unions can stand with their members and their communities bylistening to them.

Just as Booker gets messages on Twitter from Newark citizens whospot potholes and other problems, credit unions can listen to theirmembers about their needs and issues.

Booker also acknowledged in the question-and-answer session thathe is “mostly likely” running for the U.S. Senate but refrainedfrom formally announcing because, he explained, there is a protocolin New Jersey that considers it bad form to declare for an officewhen an election for another office is currently goingon.

New Jersey votes for governor this year.

Booker also said he and other students tried to start a creditunion while he was in law school but never got it off the groundbefore he had to leave.

Also from THINK 13:

• Virtual Teller Idea Wins THINK Prize13
• The Great Change Debate
• THINK 13 on Wednesday: SlideShow
• Starring on Google+
• Innovation That MaintainsIdentity
• Innovation Needs Controls
• THINK 13 on Tuesday: Slide Show
• Self-Assessment First Step inInnovation
• Leaders Should Talk Last
• CO-OP Rebrands ATM, BranchingNetworks
• Chicago Confab Kicks Off