As promised back in December, the CUNA board has revisited its bylaws — including the requirement that credit unions belong to both the national association and their respective state leagues — and is sending the amended bylaws to a membership vote.
CUNA Chairman Susan Streifel, who also serves as president and CEO of $96 million Woodstone CU, Federal Way, Wash., said the CUNA board is recommending that members vote "Yes" to approve the adoption of these bylaws to "modernize" the trade association's structure and "enable us to be more nimble, effective and accountable in serving" the needs of CUNA's member credit unions.
According to Streifel, it is the CUNA board's intention that some time next week the restated bylaws, the current bylaws and a summary of the restatement will be provided to all CUNA member credit unions and leagues, along with the official notice/ballot for the membership vote. Members reportedly will receive these materials in both paper and electronic format and can cast their vote in either manner.
The voting process will open once materials are distributed, and will conclude in mid-March. Specific dates will be sent out with the voting materials. The trade group said the vote will be handled by an "independent and experienced voting firm."
Results will be announced shortly after the voting window closes, Streifel said Monday.
If the restated bylaws are approved by CUNA member credit unions and leagues, Streifel said those changes will be implemented for the 2017 affiliation cycle.
"The voting period purposely spans the dates of the 2016 CUNA GAC (Feb. 21-25), where there will be opportunities for you to discuss the bylaws in person with senior CUNA staff," Streifel said in a statement.
"As a member-driven organization, your participation in this matter is vital," Streifel continued. "Our operating principles are based on a one member, one vote structure. The restated bylaws reflect a changing marketplace in which leagues and credit unions are moving in various ways with regard to membership optionality as well as address our dues formula for all credit unions. I hope you will let your voice and vote be heard on this matter."
Credit union representatives who have any questions or comments were invited to send an email to
Times They Are A'Changing
The move to offer restated bylaws is the latest development in what has been a sometimes dramatic and contentious saga over the past 17 months. CUNA created a System Structure and Governance Task Force that ended up recommending (among other action items) credit unions be given the choice to belong either to their state league or the national association — which went against decades of precedent.
In September 2015, CUNA's board of directors
Last fall the CU community became divided by the issue. Some leagues (Michigan, New York, Ohio and the Carolinas League) voted to allow direct membership without joining CUNA; while others (the Mountain West CU Association, representing Colorado, Wyoming and Arizona, along with leagues in Wisconsin and Utah) issued formal statements supporting the requirement that CUs maintain dual membership.
As more credit unions and state leagues debated the issue, the CUNA board finally voted on Dec. 10 to present the trade association''s membership with what they termed a "major revision" of CUNA's bylaws that included membership choice.
When the CUNA board wrapped up its two-day December meeting, the trade association released a statement acknowledging it needed to adapt to the new reality, while trying to appeal to its members to recognize the need to stick together for the sake of advocacy.
"The board's vote today shows recognition to the fact that new market forces and increasing expectations demand more direct accountability between credit unions and CUNA," CUNA President and CEO Jim Nussle said following the Dec. 10 vote. "That interdependence stands for a united system that is the best advocate for credit unions, not mandated linked membership. That change is all around us, and CUNA is going to be part of it. Ultimately, I aim to position CUNA and our system for a stronger, interdependent and united future by delivering greater value, accountability and advocacy success."
