Contribute to the Viability of the State System -- Be Involved in NASCUS

Mary Martha Fortney

NASCUS is the only organization focused on strengthening state credit union supervision and preserving dual chartering. NASCUS’ progress is possible due to the work of the committed individuals who serve on the NASCUS Boards and Committees and active participation by members.

There is no better time than now to get involved in NASCUS. This year has brought many opportunities and challenges for the state system including documenting service to members, taxation concerns and complex compliance requirements. These are just some of the issues that the NASCUS Boards and Committees are addressing.

Our boards, committees and members impact and contribute to the direction of NASCUS. We encourage members to be involved in NASCUS and there are many ways to do so. Several vacancies on the NASCUS Boards will be filled at the Annual Meeting in August.

The NASCUS Board of Directors consists of nine persons, eight elected from the regulator membership and one appointed by the NASCUS Chairman. Two regulator board members’ terms expire this year.

The NASCUS bylaws direct that the NASCUS Board appoint a Nominating Committee to slate at least one person for each expiring three-year Board term. The Committee nominated Doris Gunn (LA) and Jerrie Lattimore (NC), current Board members, to the two vacancies.

The bylaws also state that any NASCUS state regulator can petition for nomination to the Board. Interested regulators can submit a petition in writing signed by five NASCUS regulator members (themselves included) by July 12. The Board meets semi-annually in May and August and by teleconference when appropriate.

This year, Chairman Linda Jekel, director of credit unions in Washington state, will propose dividing the states into districts with a NASCUS regulator member acting as a chair of that region. We hope that this structure will provide additional opportunities for regulators to be involved in the activities of NASCUS on a regional level.

Also, remember elections for the four vacancies on the Credit Union Advisory Council Board will take place this summer. The expiring terms are for one director in District 2 (Jim Blaine, NC), one director in District 3 (Cathie Tierney, WI) and two directors in District 4 (Mendell Thompson, CA and Rick Schmidtke, WA).

All incumbents are running for re-election to another three-year term. If there is more than one candidate for any of the positions, ballots will be sent to each Credit Union Advisory Council member in that district. Be sure to vote and ensure your district board member best represents the interests of credit unions in your district.

There are many other ways to be involved in NASCUS. Soon, members will receive notification by mail regarding this year’s Committee preferences. NASCUS regulators can serve on the standing committees (Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Education and Performance Standards) and on a number of working groups and task forces. Credit Union Advisory Council members can also serve on the standing committees. Please contact us if you have any questions about NASCUS committees.

In addition, participation in the NASCUS annual conference and symposium is the cornerstone of your NASCUS membership. This year the annual conference and symposium will be presented as a State System Summit to identify and to develop the solutions needed to preserve and strengthen the state system.

Member participation in the Summit is very important in this critical year for the state system. NASCUS members will have the unique opportunity to interact with their regulator and credit union peers, discussing issues of concern to the state system. For more information on the Summit, click here. Remember the early bird Summit rate expires June 30.

Again, I can’t emphasize enough how important member participation is to the success and growth of NASCUS. Thank you for helping us strengthen the state system and preserve dual chartering for credit unions.

To view the Special Message from the President and CEO Archive, click here.