Who Is Responsible for Cooperative Democracy?

Who Is Responsible for Cooperative Democracy?

As credit unions gear up for the annual meeting season, Chip Filson reminds them not to forget who should be at the center of all decisions and included in decision-making processes: the member owners.

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NCUA and Mergers: Keeping Members Out of the Room Where It Happens

NCUA and Mergers: Keeping Members Out of the Room Where It Happens

In the past month, the NCUA has approved of two mergers, both without a vote from the members of the merging credit union. While permissible under NCUA rules, the silence of those involved and the unwillingness to share information has Emily Claus asking why owners are being kept out of the room where it happens.

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Reporting Coop Success In the Glare of Live Market Updates

Reporting Coop Success In the Glare of Live Market Updates

While required to complete monthly and quarterly financial reports, few credit unions will publicly share the results of said reports. Chip Filson takes issue with this decision, which he says undermines the rights of member-owners and limits transparency.

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Credit Union Ownership Education and Assuming the Obvious

Credit Union Ownership Education and Assuming the Obvious

In an effort to educate their members on all things financial wellness, credit unions are often in danger of skipping over how they can educate their members as owners. Emily Claus discusses the importance of ownership education and how credit unions can teach “the obvious.”

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CUSOs Are Our Best Choice for a Strategic Partnership

CUSOs Are Our Best Choice for a Strategic Partnership

Vic Pantea argues that while the world may be full of third-party vendors anxious to do business with your credit union, only CUSOs offer the full benefits of being a true owner and partner.

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Are Credit Unions Democratic? Does it Matter?

Are Credit Unions Democratic? Does it Matter?

Are credit union elections simply a scam? Are credit unions simply going through the motions to provide the idea of democracy even where none exists? Chip Filson weighs in on the debate.

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The Death of the Member

The Death of the Member

Are credit union members slowly being transitioned from owners to customers, and if so, can the cooperative foundation of the industry survive? Emily Claus weighs in.

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Taxi Medallions in the American Cooperative System

Taxi Medallions in the American Cooperative System

The role of ownership has always been a core aspect of the cooperative model. But if that’s the case, why did the NCUA undermine the right of ownership in the NYC taxi medallion issue? Chip Filson contemplates the ramifications of this choice.

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Executives on Leadership: The Power of Ownership

Executives on Leadership: The Power of Ownership

Continuing her series on executive leadership, Alycia Meyers shares insight on how to inspire the power of ownership within your employees and members alike.

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Merger Math in Credit Unions: A Deeply Flawed Process

Merger Math in Credit Unions: A Deeply Flawed Process

Mergers may seem like a sound strategy for the individual institution, but are they a sound strategy for the industry and the member-owners who make them possible? Chip Filson doesn’t think so, and goes even further to say the process is broken against the member.

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