Canadian and U.S. credit unions will have the opportunity to participate in what the Filene Research Institute calls the first ever North American-wide study on credit union governance practices.

The survey seeks to gather data on credit union motivators for change and growth, board composition, director diversity and regional representation, director competencies, recruitment practices and training, credit union policies for director term limits, board self-evaluation and director assessments, and credit union experience at annual general meetings.

An online survey will run through Oct. 31 and is targeted at CEOs, board chairs and governance committee chairs at credit unions in the U.S., Canada, and in Quebec's caisses Desjardins system.

Filene said the survey results will be paired with qualitative research based on structured interviews with credit union system governance though leaders, practitioners and credit union regulators. 

The information gathered from these interviews will be used to conduct case studies of strong or innovative credit union governance practices, according to the Madison, Wis.-based institute.

A final report and webinar on the survey is scheduled to be available in early 2012.