With Uncertain Days Ahead, Now Is the Time to Support Trade Groups

I fully respect Kirk Kordeleski’s decision to “vote with his dues dollars” as he expressed in his letter of Jan. 21, Trades’ Head-Butting Hurts CUs. I certainly set that example by disaffiliating with the California Credit Union League and CUNA over their decision to embark on its public advocacy program here in California four years ago, a program our credit union felt was a wrong decision and action.As a member of NAFCU, I have supported and been a part of the efforts of the white paper group to inspire both associations to speak with one voice. At the Aerospace Credit Union conference, I was very vocal about voting with dues dollars, but extreme and volatile days have occurred since last summer that I believe changed the playing field. Our industry is now faced with perhaps the most threatening environment in our history: the loss of our regulator to one overall regulatory agency and new regulation, or the lack thereof, that could change the face of credit unions.With these uncertain days ahead, Caltech Employees FCU has decided to reaffiliate with CCUL and CUNA in addition to remaining with NAFCU. Every voice, even if not completely coordinated, is needed to combat the upcoming threats. Each association has favored friends in Congress. It is our feeling that we cannot afford to do anything but lend our complete support to both our associations in hopes that one or the other, even if not speaking completely with one voice, may influence the positive future course of our industry.We are not at a point in time where we can give up. I feel strongly that with the events of the past six months, this is the wrong time to withdraw support for our two trade associations. To do otherwise only adds to the divisiveness within our industry, but the rhetoric and denial from both associations must stop. Every member of both associations must continue to demand that “speaking with one voice” is absolutely essential. There is too much at stake to simply walk away from this one.