CEO Update: Serving on DCUC's Board of Directors

The Defense Credit Union Council is very blessed to have the movement’s best leaders serving on the DCUC Board of Directors. Each director plays a vital role not only in setting the strategic direction of the Council, but also in enforcing accountability, defending our policy positions, and recruiting other CEOs to join our association.

Throughout our 64-year history, the DCUC Board of Directors has made enormous contributions which result in the industry-leading organization DCUC is today. While discussions during board meetings can be very engaging, building consensus and presenting a unified position is the key. In addition, reinforcing a sense of harmony is what has always won the day.

A number of CEOs have recently inquired about joining the DCUC Board of Directors. I am not surprised. DCUC is on a tremendous growth spurt and helping to shape what our future looks like is a tremendous honor and responsibility.

Keep in mind that DCUC member credit unions vote for board directors; I do not control board positions. However, I am always willing to share how prospective candidates can compete for a position. For those interested, here are some things to consider:

• Currently, the DCUC Board of Directors consists of seven directors elected from Full Member credit unions. Credit unions with a limited membership are not eligible for board positions.
  
• Eligibility to serve on the DCUC Board of Directors is open to any director of a Full Member credit union and/or President, CEO (or person in an equivalent position) of such credit union.
  
• DCUC Directors are elected by delegates of Full Member credit unions at DCUC’s Annual Business Meeting which is held in conjunction with our Annual Conference. Thus, attending the Annual Conference is key for campaigning for votes in addition to formal nomination at the Annual Business Meeting.
  
• Prospective DCUC Board Directors should be in good standing with the Council and its members. DCUC often asks its Board to be liaisons and brand ambassadors to the larger credit union industry.
  
• The term of office for DCUC Board members is three years, upon which directors can run for re-election. There is no limit on the number of terms.
  
• All candidates, including those running for re-election, are requested to declare their intentions to run for an open board position by the end of May each year to allow DCUC time to publish their names and interest.
  
• Candidates will be asked to provide a headshot and a quick summary (1-pager) to publish in our July ALERT. This summary is more than a simple CV. In addition to the candidate’s background, it is important to mention how long the candidate has been involved with DCUC and how the candidate can help DCUC grow.
  
• During DCUC’s Annual Business Meeting, the candidate’s board chair (or another voting delegate) will stand and be recognized by the DCUC Chair to formally nominate the candidate.
  
• Candidates will then be allowed to make brief comments before the membership present at the Annual Business Meeting votes. A quorum is 5% of DCUC’s full membership. It is one vote per Full Member credit union in attendance. Voting by proxy is not permitted.
  
• Elected (and/or re-elected) board directors are announced during the Annual Business meeting and immediately take part in a special meeting afterward to elect board officers.
  
• Later that evening, board directors take official photos and announce the slate of DCUC Board Directors and officers for the next year at DCUC’s Hall of Honor Gala.
  

From there, we get right to work in serving our member credit unions and growing our association along with subsequent board meetings, planning events, and conferences.

I hope this article gets many of our member credit unions interested in joining our board. If you have any questions and/or are interested in a DCUC Board position, please let me know so we can start the process.

​I do want to thank our members for their part in this process and for the tremendous support we receive each year.