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chairman’sletter Members matter most YOU LOOK ACROSS NEW YORK STATE, YOU’LL FIND 428 credit unions serving 4.6 million members. Look nationwide, and you’ll IIF find 7,351 credit unions serving 93.9 million members. These numbers are truly impressive…but they’re just the beginning. Right now, in 100 countries around the globe, there are 51,000 credit unions serving 196 million members! We often talk about the fulfillment that comes with being part of something bigger than ourselves. What could be more fulfilling than being one of 51,000 credit unions that focus on helping people every day? Yes, each of our credit unions is different. We serve different communities, implement different strategies and offer different products and services. But no matter where you are in the world, you can rest assured that what matters most to all of our credit unions are our members. Members matter most. It’s the theme of International Credit Union Day this year, and I think it fits the occasion perfectly. On October 18, credit unions across the globe will come together to celebrate our cooperative roots, our international impact and—most importantly—our commitment to our members. By putting our members first, our movement has been able to grow and thrive during these challenging times. Internationally, credit unions welcomed 8 million new members in 2011. And here in New York, we continue to outpace national averages in membership growth, assets, shares and loans. These numbers reveal an exciting trend: More and more people are discovering and embracing the credit union difference. They’re realizing that their needs and goals matter at a credit union—and that they don’t have to settle for less. At Montauk Credit Union, our members come from all walks of life. Those who enter the taxi industry are invariably from another country, culture and background. They come to us because they’re too intimidated or uncomfortable to walk into the big banks. We help them achieve their American dream, from that initial business funding to home purchases and college educations. I can’t tell you the number of checks I’ve signed made out to Harvard, Cornell, Duke and a host of medical, law and post-graduate universities! It’s deeply rewarding to see…and I know you all have similar stories from your own credit unions. Take a look at our most recent MORE Report, and you’ll see just how much members matter to us here in New York State. They’re the reason we work to build financial literacy among youth and adults, or host VITA sites during tax season. They’re the reason we invest time and funds in our communities and reach out to underserved markets. They’re the reason we hike the Hill to defend and advance our mission. Quite simply, they’re the reason we exist. And what better time to celebrate this than on International Credit Union Day? For more than 30 years, the third Thursday in October has served as a reminder of our cooperative roots and our global reach. No matter where we’re located, International Credit Union Day is an opportunity for us to honor our history and promote the credit union difference in our communities. This year, it’s part of an even larger celebration: the United Nations’ International Year of Cooperatives. And with the theme of “Members matter most,” it’s the perfect time to remind our members that they truly matter. Whether you host a member appreciation event, support a community initiative or find another unique way to commemorate October 18, I encourage you to join the celebration. Take advantage of opportunities to connect with your community, your media, local legislators and other leaders. And most importantly, take a moment to appreciate the great, global movement we are all a part of. Because of credit unions like ours, 196 million people have been provided with a cooperative, non-profit financial services option. We matter because they matter—and that’s something we should celebrate every day. Louis Jimenez Chairman of the Board Credit Union Association of New York 2 SEPTEMBER 2012 Connection
president’smessage What will you learn this fall? SEPTEMBER, WHICH MEANS ONE THING FOR MANY families: Time to go back to school. Whether you’re getting used IIT’S to life without your college student again (like me), dropping your kids off at school or just seeing the big yellow buses travel their familiar routes, it’s hard not to be reminded that school is back in session. And with that reminder comes another one: Learning is an essential part of our lives, no matter how old—or wise— we are. In the words of former President Harry S. Truman, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” In order to keep growing and evolving, we must expose ourselves to new information, new ideas and new ways of thinking. Why do we as a society place so much value on education? Because it empowers us to lead and succeed. With that in mind, I’d like to ask you an important question. What will you learn this fall? At the Association, one of our core areas of service is education and training. We recognize that education is one of the most valuable benefits we can provide to you, our member credit unions—and that’s why we work year-round to deliver webinars, conferences and special events that cover the most relevant topics and issues. It seems fitting that our biggest event, the Annual Meeting & Convention, typically happens just before the end of the school year! Each educational opportunity we offer is unique, but they are all designed to do one thing: empower you to lead and succeed. Take a look at our Events & Education calendar, and you’ll find dozens of fall events and webinars. One highlight is our premiere, multi-state Economic Forum in November, which will feature leading economists, strategists and investment consultants. We’re also bringing back popular conferences for volunteer leaders and marketing professionals, as well as our annual CEO roundtable event. No matter what you choose, each of our educational opportunities will expose you to new information, new ideas and new ways of thinking. They will also enable you to dialogue with your peers and build valuable social connections. As someone who will be attending most of these events, I’m already looking forward to connecting with fellow attendees and leaving with fresh ideas and perspectives. So why not make this fall a season of learning? Choose an event or a webinar, get registered, and learn something new. Your days of riding the school bus and sitting in the classroom may be over, but you—and your credit union—still benefit from every minute you spend as a student. And as you gather with your management and boards to plan for 2013, I hope you’ll look for opportunities to promote learning and professional growth beyond this “back to school” season. Consider how you or your staff might benefit from attending a conference or completing a certificate program. More importantly, consider how your members might benefit. We all know that the ROI on education goes far beyond mastering a skill or concept. So, in the spirit of learning, I’d like to leave you with a little homework assignment. It’s not difficult, and there will be no grading! Before you continue with your day, I encourage you to ask yourself the following questions. What would you like to learn this fall? What skills or insights would you like to contribute to your credit union and your members? And as opportunities to promote the education and growth of others arise, will you seize them? The answers—and the results—are up to you! ■ William J. Mellin President/CEO Credit Union Association of New York Follow @wjmellin www.cuany.org 3
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