WASHINGTON (12/11/15)--CUNA’s board of directors took important steps toward modernizing CUNA’s operations and bringing about a more open and inclusive membership structure to best meet the needs of credit unions, CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle reported to membership Thursday.

New market forces and increasing expectations of CUNA membership demand more direct accountability between credit unions and CUNA. Interdependence stands for a united system that is the best advocate for credit unions, not a mandated linked membership.

To that end, the board has tasked the CUNA staff with presenting the Corporate Governance Committee with draft bylaws that reflect the pillars approved by the board. The CUNA board will review the bylaws before putting them to membership for a vote.

The pillars include:

• CUNA is committed to interdependence with state credit union Leagues.
   
• Modernize CUNA’s membership structure to accommodate choice as well as enhance engagement among and between the association, Leagues and credit unions;
   
• Empower the board of directors to reduce and establish the dues rate structure;
   
• Allow the board flexibility to set its own size, recognizing that this is a trade association board;
   
• Retain current voting membership classes while adding flexibility for future possible non-voting member categories; and
   
• Retain current board term limits, officer structure and bylaw-established committees.

Nussle and the board respect the diversity of opinion regarding CUNA service, governance and membership structure, and believe the changes outlined above will unify these diverse views around shared values--particularly interdependence--so that CUNA can be an even stronger advocacy force by offering more options to foster greater engagement in the system.

Ultimately, the goal is to position CUNA and its system for a stronger, interdependent and united future by delivering greater value, accountability and advocacy success.