The Recruitment and Onboarding channel contains an overview of tools and resources to consider in board recruitment and the onboarding process. This section also addresses credit union history, our partners, and the importance of director involvement in credit union advocacy, public awareness, and community impact.
BOARD COMPOSITION, DIVERSITY, ATTRACTING, AND RECRUITING NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Board Composition, Diversity, Attracting, and Recruiting new Board Members
- Diversity Self-Assessment (NCUA)
- Why Diversity is Important for Today’s Credit Unions’ Success (CU Broadcast: Video)
- Formalizing the Art of Board Composition (Filene)
- Recruitment and Selection Practices at Credit Union Boards (Filene)
- Young-up: Gen X, Millennials, and Your Board of Directors (CUInsight)
CREDIT UNION HISTORY AND SYSTEM PARTNERS
History & Philosophy
Credit unions in the United States trace their roots to the mid-1800s in Europe, when cooperative organizations were beginning to form. The first credit union in the United States opened its doors in 1909; however, it wasn’t until 1934, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Federal Credit Union Act, which enabled all 50 states to authorize federally chartered credit unions.
- A Brief History of Credit Unions (Historical timeline) (NCUA)
- Credit Unions are Cooperatives (Video: 2 min: 23 sec) (NCUF)
- Credit Union Cooperative Presentation Slides (NCUF)
- The Importance of Collaboration in 2019 (creditunions.com)
System Partners
The credit union system is made up of organizations at the local, state, regional, and national levels. Credit unions, corporate credit unions, micro-communities, leagues (associations), and league service corporations serve and represent credit unions across the United States and worldwide.
- American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL): Association for league staff to share resources and strengthen advocacy efforts.
- Credit Union House: A “home away from home” for credit unions in our nation’s capital.
- Credit Union National Association (CUNA): National trade association for both state and federally chartered credit unions.
- CUNA Mutual Group (CMG): Delivers insurance and investment solutions to help credit unions thrive.
- Filene: “Think-tank,” which provides research and innovation to credit unions.
- inclusiv: Association which helps low- and medium-income communities achieve financial independence through credit unions.
- National Association of Credit Union Service Organizations (NACUSO): Association that helps credit unions explore the use of Credit Union Service Organizations (CUSOs).
- National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS): Association that advocates for a strong and healthy state credit union system.
- National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF): Primary charitable arm of our Credit Union Movement in the United States.
- World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU): Global trade association for credit unions.
Commonly Used Credit Union Acronyms
- NCUA Credit Union Resource Manual: Appendix A (PDF, p. 22-25)
- CUNA Training Manual: Credit Union Acronyms (PDF, p.12)
IMPORTANCE OF ADVOCACY INVOLVEMENT
It is imperative that your credit union’s board understand the importance of engaging in advocacy. As board members, you have a unique voice in the Credit Union Movement. Leveraging your leadership to advance the Movement is the focus of our board presentations and training.
GoWest Resources
- Advocacy Blog: Advocacy on the Move. View posts or subscribe to have posts come directly to your inbox either daily or weekly (subscription form at bottom of page).
- CULAC Support & Resources: Federal PAC that supports the election of federal candidates who embrace credit-union-friendly initiatives.
- Calls to Action: View current calls here or sign up for alerts.
In-Person Opportunities to Participate
- Annual Advocacy Events: The opportunity to directly engage with your legislators and regulators to facilitate change to advance the Credit Union Movement.
- Credit Union Day at the Capitol: Stand up for credit unions at your state capitol to protect and advance the credit union charter. This is an important day for credit unions to be a united front, meeting with legislators to deliver our message of Structure, Value, and Impact.
- Arizona Credit Union Day at the Capitol
- Colorado Credit Union Day at the Capitol
- Idaho Credit Union Day at the Capitol
- Oregon Credit Union Day at the Capitol
- Washington Credit Union Day at the Capitol
- Wyoming Credit Union Day at the Capitol
- CUNA GAC: Join 5,000+ credit union advocates in Washington, D.C., for the premier national credit union advocacy event of the year. This is your chance to meet with lawmakers face-to-face and share your members’ stories. Together, we can illustrate how we’re improving the financial futures of 115 million Americans.
- Hike the Hill: Connect with the decision makers in our nation’s capital about the Credit Union Difference. This grassroots advocacy event is great for both seasoned activists as well as those who are new to the political movement. It offers an invaluable opportunity to educate and inform, and spread the credit union message to our elected officials and regulatory partners. Being three states strong, we have a significant advocacy voice that can drive measurable change.
- Advocacy Training: Join your Association’s advocacy team for a full day of in-depth advocacy training in a small group setting. You will participate in an engaging and informative workshop where you’ll learn more about the Credit Union Difference and how to message it to elected officials.
- Credit Union Day at the Capitol: Stand up for credit unions at your state capitol to protect and advance the credit union charter. This is an important day for credit unions to be a united front, meeting with legislators to deliver our message of Structure, Value, and Impact.
- Request an In-person Onsite Advocacy Training for Your Board: We provide in-depth information on the local and national political, grassroots, and legislative efforts and the work that the GoWest is engaged in on behalf of our credit unions. We also work with the CEO and leadership team to determine next steps and recommendations. To schedule your Board Training, connect with GoWest Advocacy Team Member, Pamela Leavitt.
CREDIT UNION PUBLIC AWARENESS
CUNA’s Open Your Eyes to a Credit Union awareness initiative is an all-out effort by our Movement to get more consumers to consider credit unions as their best financial services provider. The initiative is a national, digital one, which your Association launched in early 2020.
- Features & Upgrades Credit Union Awareness 2.1 (PDF, 2021): This infographic includes an overview of the new features and upgrades as well as a timeline for deployment.
- Open Your Eyes Awareness Initiative & Guidance (PDF, 2019): This report includes research, benefits, and guidelines on the role out of CUNA’s Open Your Eyes to a Credit Union initiative in the Northwest.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
The GoWest Foundation works with credit unions and community partners throughout Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming to provide solutions to pressing issues impacting the financial health of the people and communities they serve. The Foundation convenes thought leaders, regional stakeholders, and community partners to help credit unions achieve greater community impact and further the future of the Credit Union Movement.
As close stakeholders and donors, credit unions power the Foundation’s initiatives, improving the financial health of so many people and communities across the west. Credit unions’ continued support and partnership are critical to move this important work forward.
Request an In-person Foundation Presentation for Your Board
The Foundation provides presentations on how to engage your members and local communities to achieve greater impact on financial health. It works with CEOs and leadership teams to determine next steps and recommendations for how credit unions can identify opportunities to further their community impact. To schedule a presentation, connect with Foundation Executive Director, Sharee Adkins.
PARTNERS WHO CAN HELP
Serving as a collaborative hub, GoWest Solutions harnesses the power of cooperative intelligence to connect GoWest member credit unions with these business partners. These world-class partners provide innovative solutions designed to help credit unions save money, stay up to date with emerging trends, deliver cutting-edge technology, and ultimately, better serve their diverse memberships.
CREDIBLE ADVANTAGE: Connie Miller, CEO, works with credit union boards and CEOs to build a strong collaborative team with synergy and effective communication inside and outside the boardroom. Connie partners with strategic planning consultants to improve communication in the board room, which in turn improves strategic planning work. Connie will work with boards 3-6 months prior to planning sessions that need improved communication or board leadership, collaborative relationships, and strategic thinking skills. Connie’s 25 years in executive leadership in credit unions, including CEO, leading partner/merger transactions on both sides, and her service on over 20 different boards brings unique expertise.
CUNA MUTUAL GROUP: Built on the principle of “people helping people,” CUNA Mutual Group is a financially strong insurance, investment and financial services company that believes a brighter financial future should be accessible to everyone. Through their company culture, community engagement, and products and solutions, they are working to create a more equitable financial system that helps to improve the lives of those they serve.
DDJ MYERS: DDJ Myers, Ltd. is committed to supporting credit unions with exemplary products and services for board development and governance, strategic planning, executive search, executive compensation advice, and succession planning. Their leadership coaches provide top tier executive and board coaching and facilitation of individual, organization, and board assessments.
RISING ABOVE ENTERPRISES: Jeff Rendel works with credit unions that want entrepreneurial results in sales, service, and strategy. Each year, he addresses and facilitates for nearly 100 credit unions and their business partners. For three decades – through more than 2,000 presentations, facilitations, and consultations – he’s helped financial institutions grow market share, increase profits, and enrich experiences. His One Percent Systems™ and programs are designed to help your financial institution deliver outstanding financial performance, expand loyalty from all sets of customers, and cultivate entrepreneurial-minded leaders at every level.
