The Value of Peer Connection: How Chapters & Peer Groups Bring Professionals Together

By Dominic DiFrancesco, Member Engagement Consultant, CrossState Credit Union Association

There’s no denying that the workplace looks very different from what it did a decade ago. Technological advancements and changing consumer habits have transformed how we communicate—not only with members but also with fellow credit union professionals. As digital platforms rise and more information is available at our fingertips, it can be easy for making connections to fall to the bottom of the priority list, especially amid a busy workload.

However, the emergence of a virtual workspace hasn’t diminished the need for a strong local network. It’s made it more pressing than ever. CrossState Credit Union Association’s quarterly Peer Groups and impactful Chapters offer professionals a community they can rely on for support at every stage of their careers, helping them recharge, realign, and keep going through whatever challenge they may face.

Deepened Connections Through Chapters

The value of chapters isn’t a new conversation—it’s one that’s being questioned in countless state and national associations, chambers, and local networking groups. Many organizations face low attendance, complacent leadership, and doubts about whether the system remains relevant. After all, while Chapters historically were an efficient way to disseminate information to professionals, the rise of webinars, mass email communication, and instant access to an infinite global network of subject-matter experts may seem to negate the need for them entirely.

But CrossState’s Chapter leaders are setting a new standard. For the last three years, we have hosted a Chapter Leadership Summit in August to redefine the Chapter value proposition and meet the needs of the current workforce—and the impact has been huge! Refusing to simply be tools of efficiency, Chapter leaders have doubled down on their commitment to their local communities, showcasing their peers’ accomplishments and making Chapters places where credit union staff can develop into credit union professionals.

CrossState’s Chapter system is a successful case study, even as the national trend moves in the opposite direction. We are at our best when we are part of something bigger—and Chapters offer that opportunity to everyone.

Virtual Check-Ins Through Peer Groups

Across everything CrossState does, peer connection has been one of our greatest offered values, and we’re committed to expanding avenues to facilitate it. Earlier this year, we introduced more Peer Groups, growing beyond HR and IT to include Business Development, Marketing & Communications, and CCUFCs and bringing in the Small CU Collaborative and Financial Education Collaborative. These groups meet quarterly in a virtual space to hear from an expert on a topic relevant to their roles and engage in discussion about current experiences and challenges.

During CrossState Connect Annual Convention this past May, attendees also had the opportunity to bring those conversations to in-person spaces through Peer Roundtables. A new feature on this year’s agenda, this time together allowed those in executive leadership, compliance, HR, IT and operations, and marketing to go deeper on topics from the conference and anything else top of mind.  In today’s digital world, community remains essential to personal, professional, and institutional growth, especially in the credit union movement. Thank you to everyone involved in making Chapters and Peer Groups a success so far. And if you haven’t yet joined, take this opportunity to build your network with those who understand you best!

Originally published in the August 2026 edition of CU Edge