ESTES PARK, Colo.-To mark the 75th anniversary of CUNA, credit union leaders plan to gather here where the trade association was first formed on Aug. 10, 1934.
Representatives of CUNA, its subsidiaries, former CUNA executives, NCUA, NASCUS, WOCCU, state leagues and others are to gather here Sept. 14-17, with plans including a recreation of the iconic photo of the original gathering of credit unionists. In addition to board meetings for CUNA and CUNA Strategic Services, the event will also include the dedication of a a 75th anniversary plaque at the YMCA Camp in Estes Park where the original gathering of CUNA's founders took place.
As Credit Union Journal reported in its Special 100th Anniversary of Credit Unions issue Jan. 12, Estes Park, Colo. was chosen for a meeting to reorganize what was then called the Credit Union National Extension Bureau by then-Illinois league CU leader Timothy O'Shaughnessy. The site was proposed by CU pioneer Claude Orchard, who suggested a national park in Colorado that was a favorite of his, because many people would have to take vacation time to attend, and because it would require travel from both coasts. O'Shaughnessy, president of the Rock Island Line Credit Union, arranged for extra Pullman cars to run from Chicago to Denver on the Rock Island Line for the convenience of those delegates converging on Chicago.
In all, 52 delegates, representing 20 states and the District of Columbia, arrived at the campsite by Aug. 8 when the first meetings were held. For more details on the 75h anniversary meeting: www.cuna.coop.
