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Conference 7.286::dcu

Title:DCU
Notice:1996 BoD Election results in 1004
Moderator:CPEEDY::BRADLEY
Created:Sat Feb 07 1987
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1041
Total number of notes:18759

486.0. ""REAL CHOICES" for the DCU Board of Directors" by SMAUG::GARROD (An Englishman's mind works best when it is almost too late) Thu Mar 05 1992 15:51

I am posting the following on behalf of a group of petition candidates
for the DCU Board of Directors who have decided to associate themselves
with each other under the name "REAL CHOICES". As stated in the attached
I personally support these candidates in their quest to become directors
of the DCU.

Dave

		 "REAL CHOICES" for the DCU Board of Directors

Soon after March 14th, DCU members will receive      Tanya Dawkins       MLO
ballots to elect a new Board of Directors.  The      Lisa DeMauro-Ross   SHR
names at the right are candidates whom I support     Christopher Gillett GSF
for their qualifications and strong commitment to    Phil Gransewicz     TTB
reforming the questionable practices of the past.    Abhijit Gupta       HLO
They can make the DCU Board both responsive to       Gim Hom             MLO
and representative of the membership.  The Board     Paul Kinzelman      MSO
exists to serve us and answer to us.  Please         Richard Luciano     TTB
take time to vote in this important election.        Alfred Thompson     NIO

The above "REAL CHOICES" candidates, all nominated by petition, are all
committed to the following goals and philosophies:

o Restore membership confidence through more extensive, honest, and open
  communication about what is happening at *our* credit union.  No more
  glossy brochures offering "more choices" to disguise fee increases.

o Return power to the members by reviewing all recent bylaw changes and 
  seeking membership approval for future bylaw changes.  Rescind the bylaw
  change that requires 5,000 signatures to call another special meeting.

o Increase membership feedback into credit union operations and restore
  member involvement in advisory and oversight committees.  Recognize 
  that most members are good credit risks and should be treated that way.

o Improve the financial status of the DCU by focusing on long range
  solutions instead of short term fixes.  Focus on loaning money to 
  members at good rates and try to hold the line on fee increases.

o Review the lending and investment practices that led to the current 
  state of the DCU, and report findings to the membership.

o In short, turn the DCU back into the successful credit union it once 
  was.  We need a credit union that is committed to serving its members, 
  not one that is committed to trying to imitate a commercial bank.

The candidates listed above all gained access to the ballot by petition --
we feel that the nomination process this year did not offer real choices 
for reform.  Contrary to DCU Election Guidelines, DCU President Chuck 
Cockburn was a member of the Nominating Committee, which chose just 9 
candidates for 7 open positions -- including two incumbents.  

If you would like to know more about the "REAL CHOICES" candidates, please
contact us or any of the candidates listed above.  Or you can copy files 
from public directory GONAVY::DCU$PUBLIC: or notes file SMAUG::DCU, which
contain candidate position statements and some documents describing what
went wrong at the DCU and why reform is so desperately needed.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
486.1More information will be forthcomingSMAUG::GARRODAn Englishman's mind works best when it is almost too lateWed Mar 04 1992 18:195
    An inventory of documents in GONAVY::DCU$PUBLIC: will be posted later.
    More documents will be added as time goes by. Watch this space for
    further details.
    
    Dave
486.2IAMOK::GRACETue Mar 10 1992 11:1816
DCU is one of the largest credit unions in the country - a
$370 million member-owned credit union.  Like other financial
institutions, DCU is challenged by the economics of our times
as it strives to provide the highest quality services to
members.

It is at times like these I believe we need the most qualified
members on our Board, people who possess the skills and
experience to meet the challenges and uncertainties of the 
future.

I plan to carefully review all the candidates' statements when
I receive my ballot and vote for the best choices.  Instead of
simply voting for a slate of candidates who appear to be running
for the Board as a "block", I intend to make an assessment of
each individual candidate and vote for the QUALITY CHOICES.
486.3Choose individuals...PLOUGH::KINZELMANPaul KinzelmanTue Mar 10 1992 11:4217
Great! Our goal is to be taken as individuals.
Note the so-called "block" consists of 9 candidates.
You can't vote for the entire block because there are only 7 openings.
We're hoping that folks take into account our background, statements,
and also our willingness to communicate, participate, and make known our
opinions on issues.

150 words is not much information on which to make a good assessment of a
candidate. I think it's significant that the nominated candidates have
chosen not to participate in this notes file to expand on their views
and qualifications. To me, a person's qualifications are not sufficient
to determine how well that person will perform on the board.
Note that the current board members all have excellent qualifications.

It seems reasonable to me to expect that a candidate elected to the board
will continue to communicate to members at the same level that the person
has been communicating with members up to now.
486.4AOSG::GILLETTPetition candidate for DCU BoDTue Mar 10 1992 11:5212
I think that it's the responsibility of each member to do as
the author of .2 suggests:  carefully review the ballot and
make informed decisions for whom you feel is best qualified.

Anybody who blindly votes for a group without reviewing 
individual philosophies, beliefs, and qualifications
is being foolish.

I believe that there are many Quality Choices to be found
in Real Choices.  Maybe you will too.

./chris
486.5GUFFAW::GRANSEWICZVote for DCU Petition CandidatesTue Mar 10 1992 12:0725
    
    RE: .2
    
    I agree with all you say for the most part.  However, I think DCU is
    currently challenged more by the past policy decisions and direction of
    the current Directors than it is "by the economics of our times".  Had
    our money been 'invested' in the membership, DCU would be in a very
    strong position.  Which leads to my comment on 'most qualified'...
    
    I also agree that DCU needs the most qualified people on the Board. 
    How each person determines "best qualified" is an individual decision. 
    I'm very happy to see you use the words 'credit union' instead of
    bank.  To me anyways, this makes a big difference.  When voting for
    Directors, we are voting for future direction, priorities, goals,
    etc.  We are not electing people to actively participate in the
    day-to-day operation of the credit union.  Therefore I would urge
    members to consider MUCH more than pieces of paper, past financial
    experience, past banking experience, etc.  Look at the fundamental
    underlying beliefs of the candidates.  Good sound business decisions
    start with a clear vision of purpose IMO.
    
    That clear vision of purpose can then be passed to the very capable
    professionals at DCU to execute.  I am very confident in their
    abilities.  I do, however, believe they need a new direction.
486.6IF I COULD PICK MY CREDIT UNION BOARD!USCTR2::FSITARTue Mar 10 1992 12:4811
    The credit union was founded in times like these. In times like these
    people turn to the credit unions because the banks turn them away.
    If I had to "select a credit union board member the following WOULD NOT
    qualify: An ex-banker, an ex-Insurance person and "Experienced Business
    and Financial Expert!  I would only select a person with full
    understanding of the principles of a credit union "Which is a self-help
    mutual Co-Operative devoted to service to members and NOT FOR PROFIT" A
    true credit union is DEMOCRATIC,OPEN and with a FAMILY atmosphere!
    Rebates,Low cost service and high interest on deposites is the NORM!
    Neglect these attributes and you have a POWER PLAY and a Bank with no
    investors under the guise of a credit union.