Comprehensive Guide to Onboarding Directors

RELEASE DATE: APRIL 6, 2026
ESTIMATED DURATION: 75 MINUTES

It’s become cliché to mention how much more complex credit unions are and by default credit union board work. But even as we take that fact for granted board orientation programs have often not kept up that pace and are lacking. It’s imperative that new board members get up to speed as quickly as possible and have a full understanding of the work. In this session, Kevin Smith will provide an overview of a comprehensive orientation program and provide an approach to customizing your program.

This session will cover:

• Training topics: Requirements & beyond
• Timeline for onboarding and a calendar
• An Onboarding Checklist
• An Approach to Mentoring
• The Value of Associate Director Programs
• Staff Involvement and Limitations
• And more.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Kevin Smith is Consultant and Publisher with TEAM Resources. He brings extensive experience in training, designing and implementing professional development resources to nourish the growth of leaders within the credit union industry. Kevin facilitates strategic planning processes, teaches Strategic Governance to Boards of Directors, and oversees the TEAM Resources board self-evaluation programs with credit unions nationwide. Kevin is co-author of A Credit Union Guide to Strategic Governance. This essential book helps Governance teams become as effective as possible.

Previously, Kevin spent 10 years at the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), in the Center for Professional Development as Director of Volunteer Education. During his tenure at CUNA, he created and brought several new programs to the credit union movement. One of these is the CUNA Volunteer Certification Program. He also created the CUNA Training On Demand series of downloadable training courses, and the CUNA Pressing Economic Issues series featuring the CUNA economists. Before joining CUNA, Kevin spent several years teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

LEARNING METHOD This training is available as an on-demand webinar, organized into chapters. Learners can choose to watch individual chapters or complete the entire program. Unlimited testing is provided as the last chapter. 

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