CUYLM Updates & Takeaways From Our Recent Events
Executive Committee Recruitment
We’re excited to share that we are currently recruiting for positions on the CUYLM Executive Committee to serve 3-year terms starting January 2026. Applications will be accepted until Friday, November 14. Visit this page to learn about the benefits of serving on the committee, eligibility requirements, and apply today!
Mentorship Program
We’re also pleased to share that our Mentorship Program has been successfully running since the beginning of the year and will conclude on November 5. During the year, mentors and mentees have been meeting and learning valuable leadership skills. Stay tuned for our year-end recap!
2025 Inclusive Leadership in Action workshop
Growing Together: Young Leaders Explore Inclusive Leadership in Action
On September 25, 2025, emerging leaders from credit unions across Manitoba came together for CUYLM’s impactful workshop on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) coaching and leadership skills.
The in-person session, Inclusive Leadership in Action, was led by Phyllis Reid-Jarvis, MPH, CPC, DISM Certified, a respected leadership coach known for her work in intentional and inclusive leadership. Phyllis created a thoughtful and safe environment for participants to engage in meaningful conversations about bias, belonging, and the power of inclusive practices.
Participants explored topics such as the Invisible Caste System and its influence on workplace dynamics, learned practical EDI tools for effective coaching, and developed strategies to create safe spaces for dialogue. The session also encouraged personal reflection on empathy, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence – essential skills for anyone striving to lead with authenticity and compassion.
“Phyllis gave us the confidence to lean into these sensitive conversations with more understanding and compassion,” one attendee shared. “It was a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t just about professional growth – it’s about empathy, awareness, and the courage to face uncomfortable truths.”
Workshops like this bring young leaders from across the province together to learn, connect and grow. They also highlight the credit union system’s shared commitment to leadership development and inclusive practices – strengthening our cooperative values and shaping a more equitable future for all.
A very special thank-you to CUMIS for generously sponsoring the event and supporting the development of emerging credit union leaders across Manitoba.
KAIROS Blanket Exercise
On September 26, 2025, the CUYLM executive committee, alongside members of CUMAM, gathered at the Indigenous Family Centre in Winnipeg for a powerful and eye-opening experience: the KAIROS Blanket Exercise.
This immersive workshop, hosted by the Indigenous Family Centre Executive Director, Shannon Perez, offered participants a unique opportunity to explore the shared history of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. Through storytelling and guided reflection, the KAIROS Blanket Exercise traced the impacts of colonization – from treaty-making and land displacement to the legacy of residential schools and ongoing systemic inequities. Participants stood on blankets representing the land, which were gradually removed to symbolize the loss of territory and rights. As facilitators narrated historical events and invited participants to embody different roles, the exercise fostered a deeper emotional and intellectual understanding of the lived experiences of Indigenous communities.
This visit underscored CUYLM’s dedication to reconciliation and community engagement, aligning with cooperative values of respect, equity, and social responsibility.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Indigenous Family Centre for welcoming us into their space and guiding us through such a meaningful journey. Experiences like these remind us that leadership is not only about vision and strategy – it’s about humility, understanding, and walking together.
Learn more about the Indigenous Family Centre and the KAIROS Blanket Exercise here: https://www.indigenousfamilycentre.com/the-blanket-exercise