By Ginny Brady
Are under-30-year-old credit union leaders discouraged from sharing their ideas with the boomers who predominate in credit unions today? Periodically, this is a question that's discussed in the blogosphere. Earlier this month my friend Tim McAlpine wrote a post for CUES Skybox that touched on this issue. He described the frustration experienced by "next gen" credit union leaders who bring new ideas to "the old-people-at-my-credit-union" only to be met with skepticism and lack of interest. I have learned many valuable lessons from wonderful young credit union professionals and advocates like Tim. Willingness to dream, to take risks and to be innovative are qualities that invigorate the credit union movement. There are some opportunities to reshape and influence the structure of credit unions that place all of us, young/old, volunteer/professional, senior management/first-line staff, on equal footing. If all of us do not take our rightful place in speaking our minds and sharing our insights, then shame on us. Last week, for example, the Adirondack Chapter of the Credit Union Association of New York sponsored a panel to update members on
Each speaker reminded the group that NCUA is currently developing a plan to reorganize the corporate system. The general consensus of attendees was that corporates provide an invaluable service to small credit unions and their members. In many instances corporate membership gives us access to the technological infrastructure necessary to offer competitive services to our members under the credit union banner.
Many in the group, however, questioned the need for 27 corporates and wanted safeguards put in place to avoid future financial crises. Mr. Carter pointed out that NCUA is in the process of formulating a plan to address these issues and had earlier asked for suggestions and responses to its Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by those interested in credit unions. He reminded us that NCUA, along with organizations like CUNA, NAFCU and CUES, had publicized the ANPR and repeatedly asked for comments from credit union professionals, volunteers and advocates. Approximately 450 organizations and individuals wrote letters or e-mails to NCUA. This was a small percentage of the thousands of possible respondents.
The ANPR provided an opportunity for an important voice in shaping the future of credit unions. All input was encouraged and not restricted by age or status. Sharing ideas and suggested innovations with a single credit union leader or CEO is one thing, but here was an opportunity to have one's voice heard by those who develop policy affecting all credit unions in the United States.
Some respondents decided to add their voices together and speak as a group while others preferred to write individual suggestions. Group input came from state and national associations, corporates and individual credit unions.
One question that I have is whether young credit union professionals used this opportunity to present their ideas. I may be wrong but I do not recall any letters or e-mails that specifically represented the Gen Y perspective. What a powerful message might have been sent to NCUA had respondents identified themselves as speaking from a young professional or volunteer perspective! It is important for our future credit union leaders to be heard, recognized and encouraged. Those same innovators who represent the movement of the future need to look for every opportunity to influence and challenge, including something as establishment-focused as the ANPR.
NCUA will again be providing us with an opportunity to speak up and give our feedback later this year. Those of us who want to influence the future of credit unions should take advantage of our equal voice and be front and center with our opinions and ideas.
Ginny Brady has been a credit union member for over 15 years and has served as a member of the Ufirst Federal Credit Union Board of Directors since 1997. She has held the position of board president and is currently board vice president at the $15 million CU. A CUES Director member, Ginny was awarded the 2008 Volunteer of the Year Award by the Credit Union Association of New York. She has also completed the CUNA Volunteer Leadership Program and received the Blue Diamond Certificate. She has also developed a board of directors blog, The Boardcast.
Read two other posts by Ginny: "A Model for Credit Union Board Renewal" and "Is it Time to pay Credit Union Directors?"
