International Credit Union Day

Happy International Credit Union Day. 

A chance to think about the impact we are making today, our great history of making a difference in people’s lives, and the bittersweet sense that all of us in the CU movement have that we should be doing more.

Studying the rich history of the credit union movement in America is one of my favorite things to do.  From Pierre Jay, Edward Filene (whom I found out this year shares my birthday), and Roy Bergengren, to Louise McCarren Herring, Dora Maxwell and Monsignor Pierre Hevey, there are so many true heroes in our history.

Today with credit unions all over the US making strides to enrich the lives of their members through easy access to credit, payday lending alternatives, financial education and budget help and simple services offered at fair terms to the people who need them most, we are still working among heroes each and every day.  People who truly put the welfare of their members above all else, even at times themselves.  In the years since I have become part of the movement I have met credit union leaders from nearly every part of the country and we all share the same passion, making life better for our members.  This is the core of what we do, and this is our greatest triumph.  After over 100 years the mission remains the same and the flame remains lit.

Even with the many success stories from over a century of fighting the good fight, there is a constant and underlying ache that many of us feel that we should do more.  There is a constant struggle to stay ahead, to fight off the threats to our members both internal and external, and when the day is done there is still a feeling that we could do more.  There is a sense that if only we explained the many advantages of credit union membership a little more effectively, the masses would see the light.  There is a sense that if only we told our story in a more compelling way, our government would see the indispensable value we add to the economic system.  There is a sense that if only we could paint a clearer picture of what it is we all get up and do each and every day, people would realize that there is no hidden agenda, there is no downside.  This really is a better way, and a means to a better day.  

This is shared not only with credit union leaders throughout the US, but throughout the world.  From Scotland to Bermuda, from the Cayman Islands to South Africa and all points in between people do what is best for their members because it is the right thing to do.  It is hard work, done by true heroes.

So today we take a moment to celebrate our wins, remember our heroes, and hopefully scratch that itch, just a bit.  We will always want to do more.  We should constantly feel a bit unfulfilled.  We should always have an ache that more can be accomplished, because ours is a movement by, for and about people.  The credit union movement has no finish line.  It is a movement, in constant motion toward the needs of the many.  

I am proud today to be one of the leaders in the movement.  I am proud to be running the race, regardless of where the course takes me because I know that along the route I can touch people’s lives in a way that makes a difference.  I am encouraged by the number of bright and passionate people who are getting plugged in to the movement to run along side and takes us all to places we have not been.  I am hopeful that we will never feel that the work is finished or that the race is won, but I am hopeful that we will learn better ways to compete.  Here's to the heroes!  Happy ICU Day!