Conference 7.286::dcu

    	The ballot has no space for write-ins, and the instructions are
    also silent on the subject.  Do you find this unusual, as I do?

    	Before I spoil my ballot, does anybody know whether there is an
    official way to write in a candidate?

    			David

        I've called DCU and asked that very question. The person I spoke
        with had no idea, and said "someone will get back to you". When
        they do, I will post the answer here. Since I'm in the Chicago
        area, just a few miles from the address that the ballots go to, I
        called them. They didn't know either, but it sounds like marking
        anywhere else on the ballot will cause the computer to kick it
        out, and a human will count the votes. 

    Ballot?  What ballot?  I don't have one.  When is the deadline for
    returning them?
    
    Bob

    It must be returned to Schaumburg, IL by March 24 (Good Friday).
    
    I just received mine.  I find it interesting, because the bulk rate
    tag shows "Thurmont MD", about 20 miles from my home.  Interesting
    that so many other folk seem to have gotten the ballot quicker...
    
    Check your mail.  If all of them have been mailed, then it will
    probably be there by week's end.
    
    -- Russ

        I just got a call back from "John" at DCU. First he told me to
        cross out one name on the ballot and write my choice in there.
        When I asked him how the machine would pick up the write-in vote,
        he wasn't sure, and then said I should write it in on the bottom,
        under the 6 names. I think they really don't know if or how we can
        write in votes. 
        
        Since I assume that people plan on writing in Ed Badger, I'd
        suggest that anyone voting for him, or anyone else, let that
        person know by mail, so we can check DCU's tally when this is over
        with. 

    Well, if the only way a person can get on the ballot is to be approved
    by the CU management, then I'd guess the bylaws don't even have
    any provision for write-ins!                       
    
    Can someone get a copy of the bylaws?
    
    						=maggie

    Re .6:
    
    I have a copy of the bylaws.  Too bad I'm 1800 miles from my office
    this week.  As I remember it, there are NO PROVISIONS for either
    write-ins or nominations from the floor.  The Board of Directors
    is empowered to change the bylaws (almost on a whim), but I doubt
    they have any interest in doing so. 

    
    
    Do you really *know* these people from what was in the "write-up".
    I don't.
    Too bad non of the andidates thought it important enough to give
    us an extended view through this file.
    
    Also take a look at  the section "how to vote"  #2
    the statement "Seletion by the nominating committee is an endorsement"
    why *that* staement.  If I had got on the ballot, I'd have been
    singled out as an undisireable.
    
    After having participated in the process, I hate to sound like sour
    grapes, but this process stinks.  I really want to attend the 30
    march meeting.  But would I get a chance to talk?  We'll see.
    ed badger
    

    
    Hey, I haven't recieved my ballot yet!!  Are there unaddressed ballots
    lying around somewhere so I can vote even if I don't get mine in
    time?
    
- Sean

       Anyone notice how the Annual Meeting starts at 3:00 P.M. during
    'normal' working hours? Seems kind of convenient for those who don't
    want a whole lot of people to attend. Why not have it in the evening?
                                                        Denny

    
<    Hey, I haven't recieved my ballot yet!!  Are there unaddressed ballots

Same here.

    	I talked today with Mary Madden of the DCU office.  I asked her if
    I could summarize our conversation as follows, and she agreed that it
    was accurate:

    	"You can write other names on the ballot, but they won't be
    counted."

    			David

    <--(.7)
    
    Where did you get your copy, Bill?  If they're hard to get, could
    I borrow yours long enough to xerox it?
    
    The only problem with your title is that, alledgedly, *we* own the
    'ball' in this case...but that doesn't seem to be giving us much
    leverage.
    
    						=maggie

    Re .14:
    
    I asked for a copy of the DCU bylaws at the time I turned in my small
    part of Ed Badger's nomination petition.  Perhaps it was a moment of
    weakness, but they made a copy for me and mailed it the same day. 
    
    I should warn you.  The DCU charter and bylaws (I have only the latter)
    are in the form of a base NCUA document as amended by individual
    actions of the Board of Directors.  There IS no single document that
    reflects the current state of either.  I suspect DCU's reluctance to
    make the bylaws available to members is related to their chaotic
    appearance. 
    
    If you're in the Boxborough area some time, I'd be happy to sift
    through them with you. 

    Well, my ballot came yesterday.  It sure was nice of them to mark
    the people I shouldn't vote for with a star :-).
    
    Bob

        Re: .13
        
        Well, that's just great. I ask DCU how to write in a vote, and do
        what I'm told. Then someone else decides otherwise. Meanwhile we
        (my wife and myself) throw two votes down the toilet :-( 
        
        Needless to say, I am NOT happy. I intend to contact federal
        regulators and claim that this has been a fraudulent election for
        the board of (mis)directors. 

    Just a reminder to other people like me who may have forgotten to
    mail in the ballot:
    
    			DO IT TODAY!!!
    
    Unless you're near Illinois, your vote may not count if you don't
    get it out today!
    
    BTW, anyone not receive a ballot at this point?
    
    -- Russ

I still haven't received my ballot either.

    
    I just recieved mine, and I think that it's inexcusable considering
    the deadline.
    
- Sean

       If someone is really calling the Feds about the write in fiasco,
    they might want to mention the fact that not everyone got ballots.
                                           Denny

    
    It really doesn't seem that important to vote, and very insignificant
    given that I don't know anything about the candidates besides what
    DCU tells us and that is not much.
    
    Does anyone really think it makes that much difference. We don't
    what those candidates think, or feelings about lots of the issues
    that seems to be important to the general membership of DCU.
    
    The whole issue/excuse being used of "improper use of Digital
    property": when that candidate contacts someone to discuss the
    candidacy, are they using a public phone?? NO. they are using DEC
    property, when that candidate mails to someone to discuss their
    candidacy, or whether they should be entering anything in the
    notesfile, are they using their own private network? the answer
    is NO.
    
    All this brings to mind last year's election where one candidate
    that was favored by lots of members of this notesfile was not able
    to get even on the ballot because he was undesirable too. If I remember
    correctly (and I am sure someone will correct me if I was wrong),
    he even collected the needed signatures that DCU required and still
    didn't make it.
    
    I think we are kidding ourselves here by our big concern about DCU
    board elections. IT IS FIXED to what DCU wants.
    
    Nisreen (ok..so I woke up on the wrong side of the bed..:-)  )

    Nisreen,
    
     You pretty much summed up my feelings in .22 - no chance to talk
    to the candidates, ballots arriving late or not at all - this is
    service? This is involvement? this is MY Credit Union?
    
     As a Corporation, Digital is striving for excellence in all areas,
    including as a corporate goal to be #1 in customer satisfaction.
    It is an outrage that OUR credit union does not have the same goal.
    
     
    
                                    Ken
    

    Last year, I inquired about running for the board.  I went through
    the nominating process with the DCU...and my name went on the ballot.
    
    I had been on the board of other credit unions and thought that
    I could help the DCU.
    
    Bottom line, I lost the election...not because it was fixed, but
    I think more because of apathy on the part of the voters or the
    inability of the disgrunteled members not to back a candidate.
    (I never considered other reasons like not receipt of ballots)
    
    For my part, I will run again, but I will prepare by reading this
    notes file, learning the issues, and bringing those issues to the
    voters.
    
    If you see my name on the ballot, all I ask is that you evaluate
    me as you would any other.  
    
    Thanks....

RE: 25

>    Last year, I inquired about running for the board.  I went through
>    the nominating process with the DCU...and my name went on the ballot.
    
>    I had been on the board of other credit unions and thought that
>    I could help the DCU.
 
You were one of the lucky ones that met their requirements/approval.
   
>    Bottom line, I lost the election...not because it was fixed, but
>    I think more because of apathy on the part of the voters or the
>    inability of the disgrunteled members not to back a candidate.
>    (I never considered other reasons like not receipt of ballots)
 

How do you expect the voters or the "disgrunteled members" to back up 
candidates when they don't know a thing about them besides the fact that 
DCU approved of them to run and put them on the ballot with a brief 
history. Is this supposed to be enough information to help members 
choose one candidate over the other? 

Last year ALL the candidates were given the opportunity to address the 
noters of this conference, but I believe that offer was turned down or 
ignored by most.

BTW: if you read my note again I didn't say the elections were fixed, 
     I said "the elections were fixed to what DCU wants".

    AS of today, I will monitor and contribute to this notes conference,
    so that when it comes time to run again...you will know my position.
    
    Thanks for keeping this conference open.

    Guess I don't get to vote.  Received ballot 3/24/89 U.S. Mail.
    

re: .-?

Also, it really isn't apathy when a number of members do not recieve a ballot 
or receive it late.  Is there anyway to find out:

1) the number of ballots sent out (total)
2) the number of ballots received (valid)
3) the number of ballots received (but invalidated, late etc)
4) the number of people who did not get a ballot (and why?)

-Joe

    
    	Anyone running for an office can keep in mind there are a lot
    of people who like the DCU just fine.  So, changes supported by
    these notes may actually cause MORE people to be unhappy.
    
    KMP

    I'm interested, KMP or BAHTAT::Patterson, what changes talked about
    in this notesfile would make MORE or any unhappy?
    
    ed
    

    I looked through the previous replies to this note and didn't see
    it anywhere... Does anyone know when the results are due?  Can we
    get them posted in here?
    
    Thanks,
    Jeff

    DCU, please feel free to respond to this note about why some customers
    got their ballots late, or not at all!  I'm waiting for the "official"
    response!
    
    Don

    I still haven't received my ballot (not that it would do a lot of good
    if I did).  I just checked the DCU bylaws, and Article VI Section 8b
    (added) requires that ballots be mailed to members at least 30 days
    prior to the annual meeting.
    
    Is there a postmark on the ballot to indicate if this requirement
    was met?  I'd be inclined to challenge the validity of the election
    if it could be shown that the ballots went out late.

    re: .34
    
    No postmark.  Just a pre-printed bulk rate seal:
    
    			BULK RATE
    			US POSTAGE PAID
    			THURMONT, MD 21788
    			Permit No. 1153
    
    -- Russ

       Don't see how it can be a valid election. Maybe they hand pick
    the voters the same way they seem to do with the candidates.
                                             Denny

        The ballot said "Results of the election will be announced
        at the annual meeting, March 30, 1989 at 3 P.M. at DCU
        HEADQUARTERS...Results will also be announced over the
        DCU hotline at 508/439-3886 or DTN/223-3886."
        

    
    This is a bit late but I also didn't receive my ballot until this past
    Friday (3/24). From what I have seen and comments read from other
    members it would not surprise me if no one from this conference got
    their ballot on time (Hmmmm), they wouldn't do that, would they?
    
    As an aside if enough people complained, ie phone calls/letters then
    maybe something would change.
    
    Harry

re: < Note 160.38 by FINALY::CHAMBEHL "I'm the NRA" > 
    
>    This is a bit late but I also didn't receive my ballot until this past
>    Friday (3/24).

What was the postmark on the envelope everything came in?  Just curious when
it was actually 'mailed' out.  Mail isn't slow?  Someone just received an XMAS
card yesterday that had been mailed on 23-Dec-88.  That isn't exactly swift :-).

-Joe

    re: .39
    
    No postmarks on bulk rate.  See .35.
    
    re: slow mail
    
    After having spent a year as a resident at the US Postal Service,
    I'd say that it's amazing that you get your mail _ever_  8^).
    
    -- Russ

    The Post Office those ballots are sent from may have a record of when 
    they were delivered to the PO.

    I got my ballot in plenty of time; I would be very careful about making
    allegations about who may be doing what illegal things; there may be
    problems (I think there are), but getting Digital invloved in a libel
    suit (yes, it can happen) isn't going help anybody.

    Beverly

    I talked to Ken this afternoon about the ballots and other issues.
    First, he said that the ballots were all mailed the same day, Feb
    28th,  a legel 30 days in advance of the annual meeting.  He hasn't
    heard of any late ballots.  There are no plans on correcting the
    situation.
    
    On another matter, I wasn't able to get away to attend the annual
    meeting.  I asked him how I could get to address the BOD.  He said
    that there was NO WAY I could personally address them.  If I had
    concerns, to put them in writting and send to him and he could
    forward them to the board.  HUH?
    
    Somethings not right in this organization, but I can't quite put
    my finger on it.
    
    ?ed

<    I talked to Ken this afternoon about the ballots and other issues.
<    First, he said that the ballots were all mailed the same day, Feb
<    28th,  a legel 30 days in advance of the annual meeting.  He hasn't
 
I was told that the ballots went out in two batches.

BTW, I received mine Tuesday 3/28!

        re .17
        
        I finally tracked down the right place to complain to the federal
        regulators. Anyone not getting a ballot, getting a late ballot, or
        otherwise fed up with how the BOD is running OUR credit union can
        write a letter of complaint and send it to:
        
        National Credit Union Administration
        9 Washington Square
        Washington Avenue Extension
        Albany NY 12205
        Attn: Foster Bryan
        
        I intend to do so in the next week. I will post a copy here,
        and also send a copy to DCU, just in case they care. 

        I also just called the DCU hotline to see who won the election.
        The hotline is updated only on Tuesday, so it had no information. 

					1628 Waterford Lane
					Palatine TWP, IL 60074
					(312)934-1160

					March 31, 1989


	Mr. Foster Bryan
	National Credit Union Administration
	9 Washington Square
	Washington Avenue Extension
	Albany, NY 12205


	Dear Mr. Bryan: 

        I am writing in regard to the Digital Employees' Federal Credit
        Union (DCU), P O Box 130, Maynard, Massachusetts 10754, of which I
        have been a member for several years. Over that time period, I
        have seen the quality of this organization drop dramatically. 

        I would specifically like to bring to your attention the election
        for the Board of Directors that just concluded yesterday, in which
        I noticed the following irregularities: 

        The membership at large was never informed that they had the
        option of running for the board.  Only those individuals living
        and working in the New England area received this information,
        effectively excluding members anywhere else in the country from
        running for the board 

        The slating committee appears to have excluded those candidates
        who were interested in running for the board who wanted to reform
        the poor DCU policies and services. 

        When one of those unsuccessful candidates tried to run by
        petition, DCU did not give adequate time to collect the required
        signatures, considering the size of DCU and its wide geographic
        area.  Only 12 working days were allowed to collect 800 signatures
        from a group that covers the entire United States.  This was also
        over the holiday season when many people were on vacation. 

        The candidates descriptions as distributed by DCU with the ballots
        were totally in- adequate for members to make an informed
        decision. The consisted of little more than a sentence or two per
        candidate. Efforts to get more information from any of the
        candidates were unsuccessful. 

        An attempt was made to have a candidate run as a write-in.
        Neither DCU nor its accounting firm could tell us for sure how to
        properly cast a write-in vote.  There was no provision for this on
        the ballot.  I personally was told to write the name of the
        person(s) I wished to vote for on the bottom of the ballot by an
        employee only identified as "John".  Later, after I had mailed in
        my ballot, I was informed that write-in votes would not be counted
        no matter how they were done.  I still do not know if this is true
        or not, but it would appear that those of us who wrote in an
        alternate candidate wasted our votes. 

        Finally, many members did not receive their ballots in time to
        vote. The annual meeting and election was March 30th, and the
        ballots had to be received by the accountant in Chicago by the
        24th.  As of the 24th, there were still many members who had not
        received ballots. DCU claims to have mailed them on February 28th,
        exactly the required 30 days in advance of the meeting, but
        clearly not in time for all members to receive them, make an
        educated choice amongst the candidates, and return their votes.
        These disenfranchised members had no chance to vote the current
        board members responsible for this fiasco out of office. 

        Members of DCU have many legitimate complaints regarding the
        operation and poor level of service of DCU. The current board of
        directors had no interest in customer satisfaction, or
        communicating honestly with its members. An internal electronic
        mail forum is all but ignored by DCU. DCU has changed policies to
        decrease member service without informing its members, yet they
        always let us know when they have another way for them to get our
        money. The members were never informed of changes in interest to
        checking accounts, which resulted in many account holders
        receiving less or no interest than they had before. 

        DCU consistently promises things to the members and fail to keep
        those promises. I have been waiting for 4-5 years for an office in
        our Chicago facility, each time getting another empty promise.  I
        recently asked to apply for a mortgage, but was turned down
        because DCU won't give mortgages where they don't have offices! My
        nearest office is almost 1000 miles from Chicago. DCU seems
        perfectly happy to leave a large portion of its members, those
        remote to the Boston area, as second class members who receive
        very limited services, and have no say in how the organization is
        run. 

        The DCU seems to have become a self serving organization, more
        interested in taking care of themselves than the members to whom
        DCU belongs.  They are eager to blame all of their actions on
        "Federal Policy", whether that is the case or not.  Their by-laws
        do not exist as a single document that members can read or copy,
        but as numerous scraps and amendments that are impossible to
        follow. 

        I have reached the point where there are only two solutions to the
        problems at DCU. One is to withdraw all of my money and leave.
        This would not fix anything, but would end the problems for me.
        The other alternative is to write this letter, and hope that some
        action can be taken to fix DCU. I hope you can help all the
        members of DCU. 

        			Yours truly, 


    				Robert G. Kaplow 

	cc: Digital Credit Union
	    DCU.NOTE

re .46

If you don't mind, I'm going to extract a copy of your letter and send it
myself, with certain changes of course (I live in New England for instance).

    re .41 (Beverly)
    
    Twas not my intention to slander or accuse DCU of any wrongdoings. My
    fingers were just thinking out loud.
    
    Harry

        re: .47 re: .46

        Any DCU member is welcome to copy, plagerize, or whatever seems
        appropriate from my letter. I would recommend that it not be sent
        EXACTLY as I wrote it, as federal agencies are used to being
        bombarded with form letters, and tend to dicsount them somewhat. 

        Election results, according to the DCU Hotline:
        
        Jack Rugheimer (incumbent) - 4417 votes
        Jeffry Gibson (incumbent) - 3182
        Anita E. Cohen - 2359
        Haiping Chang - 2216
        Donald L. Elias - 1940
        Robert M. Brownson - 1302
        

    It appears that 15,416 people were able to vote.  Any idea as to
    what percentage of DCU membership that is?
    
    As one who is dissatisfied with the way DCU is run, take the following
    with a grain of salt:
    
    I interpret a vote for the incumbents as a vote of support for the
    way DCU is being run.  I interpret a vote for the others as a vote
    of no-confidence in the way DCU is being run.  In this case, the
    no-confidence people actually out voted the DCU supporters by about
    200 votes.  Unfortunately, the no-confidence vote was split among
    too many candidates and lost out.
    
    Better luck next time.
    
    Bob

        Re 15,416 people able to vote - everyone got TWO votes
        (theoretically).  That means that about 7700 people voted.
        
        Re membership - I seem to remember hearing the number was
        about 80,000.  Can we figure it backward from (1) the
        number of signatures required for a "petition" campaign
        and (2) the federal requirement that 10% (?) of the membership
        has to sign such a petition?
        
        The 7700/80000 ratio is less than 10%.  I wonder how many
        of that >90% didn't vote because they didn't get a ballot
        in time (if at all)?
        

    RE: .46

>            communicating honestly with its members. An internal electronic
>        mail forum is all but ignored by DCU. DCU has changed policies to

    It is my opinion that...
    
    DCU is under absolutely NO OBLIGATION to communicate via any electronic
    forum. The federal credit union administration would seem to leave the
    when, how, at what frequency and to whom a credit union communicates,
    as a business decision of each institution (annual meetings and
    elections, being notable exceptions). 
    
    DCU chooses to watch (yes I do keep checking). They have seemed to
    respond to ONLY those topics that provide general information to those
    DCU members who follow this conference. 
    
    For anyone else who wishes to use the letter of reply .46, I would
    suggest that the line, I highlighted at the top of this reply, be left
    out. A much stronger position would be that you called or, better yet,
    wrote to the DCU and they did not reply or replied with what you feel
    is "bad" information. 
    
    For those who want to call, Mary Madden is at dtn 223-6735 or (508)
    493-6735 at extension 239. For those who want to write: DCU, 141 Parker
    Street, P.O. Box 130, Maynard, MA 01754-0130, Attention: Mary Madden. 
        
    Disclaimer: The above is my opinion, each of you are entitled to your
    own and to act based on such personal opinions. It is neither my
    intention to defend nor put-down DCU. It is also my opinion that
    references of this conference outside of Digital Equipment Corporation
    and Digital Federal Credit Union is, at the least, a risk to the
    continuance of what electronic communication the members here have had
    with DCU. I respectfully ask that such external references stop. 
    
    Carl

Although I would like to see the BoD use this conference as one means of
communicating, the Enet CANNOT be the primary method for DCU to communicate
with its members. You can be a DCU member without working for Digital since
relations of employees, and previous employees can be DCU members.

Tim 

    This is an official response by Mary Madden of the DCU. The complete
    response, dated 17-APR-1989, applies to this note topic. See note 2.22
    for more information. 
    
    Whether you agree or disagree with the response from the DCU, please
    either direct your comments to the DCU directly (dtn-223-6735) or
    post your comments as a REPLY to this entry in this conference.
    
    Carl Leeber
******************************************************************************
	 [Editor's Note: Specifically this is a response to note
    	 .46, containing the open letter to the NCUA. In this
    	 response...] DCU will address each concern.
             
         If you have further questions or comments, we encourage 
         you to call our communications department at 
         508/493-6735 or DTN/223-6735, ext. 239, and ask for Mary 
         Madden.
         
         ELECTION COMMUNICATION
         
         o   During October, 1988, we issued a call for 
         candidates who were interested in running for the DCU 
         board of directors.  This appeared in
         
                   1.  DIGITAL THIS WEEK (DTW):  a Digital 
                   Equipment Corporation publication;
         
                   2.  LIVE WIRE:  an electronic information 
                   source available to Digital employees;
         
                   3.  Posters in all of our branch locations.
         
         DCU received calls shortly thereafter from interested 
         members across the country.  We believe this to be an 
         effective and cost efficient format to attract 
         interested candidates.
         
         
         THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE
         
         o   DCU's Nominating Committee has three principal 
         functions:
         
                   1.  Nominate the best qualified candidates;
         
                   2.  Review and coordinate all official DCU 
                   campaign literature;
         
                   3.  Establish procedures for campaign 
                   activities and resolve any issues regarding 
                   them.
         
         o   Each committee member is both a Digital employee and 
         a DCU member.  Therefore, they have a personal interest 
         in selecting the most qualified candidates to formulate 
         policy for a $300 million financial institution.
         
         o   On December 8th, each potential candidate was 
         scheduled for a personal interview to determine their 
         level of commitment as well as the expertise they would 
         bring to the Board of Directors.
         
         o   Once the nominating committee selects the election 
         slate, all applicants are notified in writing of their 
         selection.  At that time, any member not selected by the 
         nominating committee, is eligible to run by petition.  
         If a candidate elects to run by petition, he/she has 15 
         days to qualify with the necessary signatures.  We 
         believe the time allotted is adequate to gain the 
         necessary signatures and that this process also 
         demonstrates the desire and commitment necessary for the 
         position.  In the past, members have successfully run a 
         petition campaign to be placed on the ballot. 
         
         
         BALLOT
         
         o   Each ballot includes a list of candidates, their 
         credentials and a brief statement of purpose.  It is 
         each candidate's choice to provide the DCU membership 
         with platform information that the candidate selects.
         
         o   There is no provision in our election process for 
         write-in candidates.  All eligible candidates appearing 
         on the ballot require either the approval of the 
         nominating committee or sufficient signatures by 
         petition.  We apologize if you were give incorrect 
         information about the election process.
         
         
         THE ANNUAL MEETING
         
         o   Thirty days prior to DCU's annual meeting, 73,000 
         ballots were mailed by an outside vendor and to be 
         returned to our auditors at PEAT, MARWICK & MAIN (PM&M).  
         For the past nine years, PEAT, MARWICK & MAIN, a 
         national auditing firm, has supervised our annual 
         elections.  As the election teller, they have direct 
         control over the order in which the candidates' names 
         appear on the ballot (through a random drawing), the 
         ballot mailing , validation, and tabulation.  they also 
         announce the election results at our annual meeting.
         
         During this year's election, the Post Office System 
         delivered some members' ballots late.  Therefore the 
         deadline was extended until March 28th at 5:00 p.m.  At 
         the annual meeting on March 30th, PM&M reported that 
         over 11% of all ballots had been returned.  This return 
         rate is similar to previous years. 
         
         Given that the U.S. Postal System does not deliver 3rd. 
         class, bulk mail consistently from post office to post 
         office, in the future we will mail ballots six weeks 
         prior to the annual meeting.  Also we intend to analyze 
         alternative mailing procedures.
         
         
                PEAT, MARWICK & MAIN reported the following:
         
                incumbent Jack Rugheimer       4,417 votes
                incumbent Jeffry Gibson        3,182 votes
                Anita E. Cohen                 2,359 votes
                Haiping Chang                  2,216 votes
                Donald L. Elias                1,940 votes
                Robert M. Brownson             1,308 votes
         
         
         
         COMMITTED TO CUSTOMER SERVICE
         
         o   In an ongoing effort to improve our products and 
         services, this month over 8,000 members, randomly 
         selected, will receive a questionnaire asking for their 
         input.  DCU is committed to SERVICE EXCELLENCE.
         
         
         BRANCH OFFICES
         
         o   Currently, DCU operates 30 branches in the United 
         States, 12 of these branches are outside of 
         Massachusetts and include a representation in eight 
         states and Puerto Rico.  Ideally, we would like to open 
         branches in most states so we can service our remote 
         members.  We investigate possible new locations and 
         evaluate them based on need and DCU's financial 
         resources.
         
         When we open a new branch office, DCU needs a commitment 
         from a facility's management that they will meet our 
         short and long term space and equipment requirements, as 
         well as a minimum employee count.
         
         
         DCU BYLAWS
         
         o   By request, any member may receive a copy of our 
         charter and bylaws.  Included are NCUA's standard bylaws 
         as well as NCUA-approved bylaws for DCU.
         
         
         OPEN COMMUNICATIONS
         
         o   We urge all members who have any questions or 
         comments to call our communications department at 
         DTN/223-6735 or 508/493-6735.

******************************************************************************

    At least three things really bug me when reading the responce:

    1. notification of an election.  If I hadn't read it in this notesfile,
       I would not have known about it.  I DON"T get livewire.  Election
       Notices WERE NOT posted in the Merrimack branch.  I can't say
       about VTX, useing VTX for DCU purposes could be construed as
       using the network for pleasure and could be restricted by DEC
       policy and procedure.
    
    2. Extention of return period.  Who did they tell.  After receiving
       a ballot late or past the time I could return it, it would get
       chucked into the wastebasket.  I didn't know about an extention
       period.
    
    3. The idea of open communications.  NOW THATS PURE BULLSHIT!  When
       they REFUSE to allow me to address the board of directors, there
       has to be something wrong.  You don't see them addressing that
       issue do you.  When they reply to our concerns, its pick and
       choose, reply to what they want and not all issues.  What are
       they really afraid of?  And looking over the finance statement,
       THAT is a big joke.  I get more information by reading the 
       telephone book.  
    
    OK, Mary or Ken  ADDRESS THE POINTS I HAVE RAISED HERE!
    
    OR, HOW ABOUT SOME MEMBER OF THE BOARD STEPPING UP AND ADDRESSING
    THE ISSUES?  
    
    Ed Badger
    

    
    Having just read the DCU response to concerns raised in this
    conference, I noticed something that sounds somewhat fishy to me.
    
    It was mentioned that information was listed in Livewire. Is not
    Livewire accessed by a "Digital" resource?  Was it not the DCU that
    told Ed (?) that he could not use the ENET to gather votes for his
    petition?  If so then why do they (DCU) feel that it is appropriate
    to list DCU information on a Digital resource that not *ALL* DCU
    members have access to, SINCE many DCU members are not necessarily
    Digital employees?
    
    How about someone from DCU replying to this!
    
    
    Harry
    

        .55 is exactly the letter DCU sent me in response to my letter to
        the NCUA. [Carl, I appreciate you typing it in for me] I just got
        a response from the NCUA that my complaint has been assigned to an
        investigator, and will be looked into. I will keep this conference
        informed on what, if anything I hear. 
        
        I must agree with the last two replies here, that the "official
        DCU Response" is on par with previous responses; many words,
        little content. Point by point: 
        
        Election Communication: I'm in the field. I have no local branch
        to see a poster in. There is no DTW out here. Livewire is
        painfully slow, and you have to know what you are looking for,
        where it is, and seek it out to get that information. NOTES is a
        much more useful tool for spreading information than VTX. If DCU
        can use VTX, why not NOTES? NONE of these media go directly to
        members. Statements DO. Why can't the notice be in the little
        newsletter that comes with each months statement? 
        
        Nominating Committee: Seems to be most interested in perpetuating
        the status quo. I can't comment much more, as I'm not the one who
        had the direct experience with this group. 15 days over the
        holiday is hardly time to wage a petition drive, when Digital is
        as spread out as it is. 
        
        Ballot: Brief statement! Come on now! I've learned more about
        people thru their personal names than those brief statements told
        me. Any attempt to eliminate write-in candidates is nothing but a
        form of dictatorship which should not be tolerated in any
        organization. 
        
        Annual Meeting: There is NO excuse for members not receiving
        ballots. Ther is no excuse for someone being elected to the BOD
        with a vote total of 6% of the membership of DCU! 
        
        Committed to Customer Service: Is there ANYONE reading this who
        believes it? It is easy to say. It is NOT being done. 
        
        Branch Offices: What can I say. I'm only 984 miles from one. The
        only cash machine around here that I can use to access DCU is in a
        terminal at O'Hare airport. Do you think I really want to go THERE
        to PAY for a transaction! 
        
        The letter did come on very attractive letterhead. 
        
        I've taken the two largest actions I can, short of quitting DCU.
        I've written the NCUA, copying DCU. I've also moved the majority
        of my savings, over $20,000, elsewhere. Maybe DCU listens to money
        better than words. 

	Here at MKO, there are terminals running captive LiveWire sessions
	in the lobby and the cafeteria.  It is accesible to non-employees.

	That doesn't mean I think it's the right place for this sort of 
	information.  I don't think this conference is either; it has too 
	much other stuff going on.  What would make a lot more sense is to
	set up a read-only conference which would be kept up-to-date by 
	DCU; it would be in one, easily accesible place.

	Beverly

    This is an official response by Mary Madden of the DCU. The portion of
    that response, dated 30-May-1989, that applies to this note topic is
    included below. See note 2.22 for more information. 
    
    Your comments on this response should be posted here or directed to
    to DCU directly at Mary Madden's number (dtn) 223-6735 x207.
    (Note: New extension for Mary Madden)
        
    Carl Leeber
******************************************************************************
    
         RE: 160.56
    
             DCU Board of Directors routinely reviews manual extractions
	     of information from the VAX Notes conference that addresses
	     DCU issues. Our Board of Directors continually provide 
             valuable input on the issues DCU addresses.  If a member 
             would like a one-on-one conversation with any of our 
             board members, they are available at our Annual Meeting 
             which last year was held on March 30, 1989.  A member may 
             also contact them by letter.  Every letter is reviewed by 
             our Board of Directors, the president and senior 
             management.  Once the correspondence is reviewed, a 
             personal response is always issued by the appropriate 
             party.

******************************************************************************

    NOW .60 IS A PURE LIE!  I extracted .56 and sent it to a couple
     of board members.  I didn't receive any letter back.
    
    Another thing that gets me hot under the collar.  You see all the
    issues that were raised in .56?  How many of them were addressed
    by .60?
    
    rest my case.
    ed
    

    
    	Ed --
    
    	I suggest that you challenge them by re-extracting .56, and sending
    	it along with .60 and .61 and see what you get.  I do have one
    	constructive criticism -- cool down.  The tone I sense in both
    	.56 and .61 are purely inflammatory.  Emotionalism and excited
    	behavior rarely get positive responses (if at all) from
    	"officials" in any organization.  If you acted this way when
    	trying to get approval for being on the ballot, well, you get
    	my drift.
    
    	Joe Oppelt

        re .60 and
        
>             which last year was held on March 30, 1989.  A member may 
>             also contact them by letter....a 
>             personal response is always issued by the appropriate 
>             party.
              
        If "letter" includes electronic mail, then my experience
        doesn't match this.  I sent electronic mail to all the
        candidates prior to the election, and only got two responses
        (one by MAIL, one by phone).  Of the four that did not
        respond, one was an incumbent.
        
Jim Stratton
        

    Joe, your probably right.  Problem is, thats me.  I saw wrong and
    tried to get involved.  I don't but on airs.  I am myself 100% of
    the time.  If thats not good enough, I don't want it.
    I didn't want to join the DCU board because I had some special insight
    into banking.  Nor because I thought I was better than someone else.
    I am an average Joe blow user who could let the feelings of the
    common Joes out there be known to the board first hand.  We've had
    good ideas here.  I seriously doubt that this notefile gets any
    further than the PR office.  I remember the conversations I had
    with Ken M. in the past.  He was quite clear that I could not
    communicate with the board.  And today, *I* don't see the board
    addressing us.  I see Mary Maden.
    
    I'm tired.  DCU is NOT my prime bank.  I only wish it could have
    been.  My money is with Heritage Credit union.  I don't have any
    problems with them.  Thats why it's so hard for me to understand
    why I can't deal straight with DCU.  Come to think of it, I never
    had problems with Worker's Credit Union [ the one before DCU ].
    And your right, at least one DCU board member thinks we're all 
    blowheads in this notesfile.

    I know when I'm banging my head against a stone wall.  No, I won't
    resubmit .56,.60,...
    
    I do challenge the board.  *If* they're reading this.  Let me come
    address the board.  Let us know that we *can* do it!  I'LL eat crow
    and let the DCU notesfile readers know I was there.  And yes,
    I'll drive to Maynard.  I have several issues I'd like to talk about
    with you.
    
    ed badger   dtn 264-7939  MKO1-1D28  HOME 603-886-1741
    or ENET WORDS::BADGER
    

	National Credit Union Administration
	9 Washington Square
	Albany NY 12205

        July 19, 1989 

        Dear Mr. Kaplow: 

        This is in response to your letter dated March 31, 1989, which
        concerns the election process and services at the Digital
        Employees' Federal Credit Union. This letter summarizes the
        results of an investigation completed by an examiner and the
        officials of the credit union. 

        Article XIX, Section 6, of the Federal Credit Union Standard
        Bylaws (herein referred to as the "Bylaws"), requires that a copy
        of the charter and bylaws shall be made available for inspection
        by any member. A copy of the credit union's Bylaws was forwarded
        to you by Mr. Richard D. Mangone, President/CEO of Digital
        Employees' Federal Credit Union, along with his letter dated April
        7, 1989. [No it wasn't - RGK] 

        Concerning the annual meeting and election procedures followed by
        the credit union, our investigation disclosed the following: 

        In accordance with the Bylaws, Article VI, Section 1, the
        President of the credit union appointed a nominating committee of
        not fewer then 3 members on September 15, 1988, well in excess of
        the required 120 day period prior to the annual meeting that was
        held on March 31, 1989. Section 110 for the Federal Credit Union
        Act, requires the board of directors of each Federal Credit Union
        to hold an annual meeting at such time and place as its Bylaws
        shall prescribe. 

        The nominating committee advertised for candidates to fill vacant
        positions on the board, interviewed candidates, and presented its
        selections to the board of directors on December 12, 1988, (90
        days prior to the annual meeting). The membership was informed
        within 75 days of the annual meeting, that nominations for
        vacancies may also be made by a petition, signed by one percent of
        the members with a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 500. [I for one
        never received this information, probably because it was only in
        DTW, which doesn't go to the field and is NOT a publication of the
        DCU] 

        Article VI, Section 1, of the Bylaws, requires that the minimum
        period for receiving nominations by petition shall in all cases
        extend at least 30 days from the date that the petition
        requirements and the listing of the nominating committee's
        nominees are mailed to all members. [Since all members were never
        notified, this petition drive should still be open - RGK] To be
        effective, such nominations shall be accompanied by a signed
        certificate form the nominee or nominees stating that they are
        agreeable to nomination and are willing to serve if elected.
        Nominations by petition must be filed with the secretary of the
        board at least 40 days prior to the annual meeting. The secretary
        shall cause such nominations, along with those of the nominating
        committee be posted in each credit union office at least 35 days
        prior to the annual meeting. [My local office is about 1000 miles
        from here - RGK] 

        We have been informed by management of the credit union that, in
        the future, annual meetings will be scheduled later in the year to
        provide nominees with adequate time in which to accumulate the
        needed signatures. [At least we seem to have had some positive
        step taken here - RGK] 

        The Bylaws require a brief statement of qualifications and
        biographical data in such form as shall be determined by the board
        of directors, for both nominees of the nominating committee, and
        for those nominees selected by petition. The Bylaws do not provide
        specific requirements for summarizing this biographical data. 

        The Bylaws promulgated by the National Credit Union Administration
        do not provide for nominations by "write in". Candidates for
        vacancies on the board must be designated by the nominating
        committee or by petition. [Then why did both the DCU accounting
        firm or the DCU rep I first talked to not know this. Both
        incorrectly instructed me (in different manners) how to vote for a
        write in candidate. Thus my vote was wasted. Welcome to the DCU,
        comrade! - RGK] 

        Article VI, Section 8, of the Bylaws requires that the secretary
        shall, at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting, cause printed
        ballots to be mailed to all members of the credit union who are
        eligible to vote. The Bylaws do not identify the method of
        mailing. Suffice it to say, that the method of mailing should
        provide the members with ample time to participate in the election
        process. [I guess DCU gets away with ignoring this one too - RGK] 

        Concerning the opening of branch offices and mortgage service to
        members, the following is noted for your information: 

        neither the Federal Credit Union Act, nor the National Credit
        Union Administration Rules and Regulations, dictate the number of
        branch offices that a particular credit union may open. This is a
        management decision that is determined by each credit union's
        board of directors. The number of members headquartered in a given
        area is a primary factor that would determine the cost
        effectiveness of opening a branch office. In addition, the
        existence of telecommunications to access credit union services
        can, to a degree, be substituted for a branch office location. 

        Decisions relative to the geographic location of mortgage
        servicing, is another area that is within the purview of the
        credit union's board of directors. Due to the complexity and costs
        associated with mortgage underwriting required by the secondary
        market, the board of directors' policy has been to limit first
        mortgage lending to  the geographic areas in which a branch office
        is located. Second mortgage lending is an ongoing service
        throughout the United States. 

        I believe this letter responds to your concerns and should you
        have any additional questions, please contact this office. 

        Sincerely, 

	Marcia A. Sarrazin 
	Director, Insurance

	I/BSG:bg
	23521-05A

	cc: Richard D. Mangone

        I spoke with Ms. Sarrazin. She informed me that while her name is
        on the letter, that it was written by someone else, based on the
        investigator(s) report. I spoke with Brenda (BSG) about the points
        I mentioned in the brackets above. She said that there really
        wasn't anything more she could do, except to ask DCU to send me a
        copy of the bylaws. She did hope that DCU would do better next
        time around. Me too! 
        
        Brenda also mentioned one other tidbit. It is unusual for a single
        credit union to cover such a large territory. While DCU is not
        unique, it is in a very small munority that is discouraged by the
        NCUA. In fact IBM has several seperate credit unions just to cover
        their corporate headquarters in New York, not even considering
        their field employees. Perhaps DCU should consider splitting into
        geographic groups, to better server all its members. 

        Just in case the DCU BOD cares, here is what I think they need
        to do:
        
        1) Open honest communication to ALL members. I don't think I need
        to explain this further. 
        
        2) Fair elections. Ditto.
        
        3) Find a way to represent the "field" on the DCU board. If that
        means allocating funds for one or more board members to travel to
        meetings, I think it would be money wisely spent. Several other
        non-profit organizations I am a member of do this for their
        boards. One of them is DECUS.

    Thanks for trying!  The results were predictable.  As is the responce
    to any of my attempts to address the board [elit can be subsituted
    for board.  You also notice any of my replies have never been responded
    to here.  Do they get sent in with the rest of the replies?
    What are they afraid of?
    ed
    

re:    < Note 160.67 by POBOX::KAPLOW "Set the WAYBACK machine for 1982" >
        
   >     Brenda also mentioned one other tidbit. It is unusual for a single
   >     credit union to cover such a large territory. While DCU is not
   >     unique, it is in a very small munority that is discouraged by the
   >     NCUA. In fact IBM has several seperate credit unions just to cover
   >     their corporate headquarters in New York, not even considering
   >     their field employees. 
    
    Ironic. The company that practically invented distributed computing
    has a centralized CU, while the king of centralized computing has
    distributed CU's. Sigh.
                                
   >     Perhaps DCU should consider splitting into
   >     geographic groups, to better server all its members. 
                           
    Or perhaps Midwest and/or Western DECcies should consider forming their
    own CU headquartered in Chicago, Colorado Springs, or Santa Clara. Even
    the attempt (or should I say threat?) to do this might produce better
    results from DCU. (I wonder if DCU's more recent accomodative attitude
    (Mystery Shoppers, the Survey, etc.) were in part a response to the
    NCUA investigation initiated by Mr. Kaplow?) 

RE: 160.69
    
>    ... the attempt (or should I say threat?) to do this might produce better
>    results from DCU. (I wonder if DCU's more recent accomodative attitude
>    (Mystery Shoppers, the Survey, etc.) were in part a response to the
>    NCUA investigation initiated by Mr. Kaplow?) 
    
    I would prefer to think that DCU is responding to a combination of
    "inputs" indicating concern by members of how DCU is perceived and how
    DCU deals with its members. I take heed of the increased rate of
    response DCU has demonstrated in replying to issues in this conference
    (lately). While some of my fellow noters may not feel this rate of
    response here or the contents of the replies being posted is what they
    want to see in all cases, I just note discernible movement. That's
    a positive (in my opinion). If it results in a better DCU, that's
    better still (also my opinion).
    
    Carl
    (Just a fellow noter here)