MANAGEMENT INSIGHT EMBRACING SOMETHING GREATER THAN OURSELVES By Brian Schools, Chairman of America’s Credit Unions Transition Board There are many schools of thought and approaches to leadership. But to me, holding a leadership position requires the ability to look broader than yourself and being future-focused while holding tight to the sentiment that you can make the world a better place through your efforts. It’s not about self-importance; rather, it’s making something good for all to benefit from. Within the credit union industry, this sentiment is strong. Credit unions by nature are cooperative institutions, formed by members who want the best not only for themselves, but for each other and their communities. We have the responsibility to not only lead our own institutions in a productive manner, but to also serve the greater good. At Chartway Credit Union, our motto is “People First, Always.” Everything we do is for our members, communities and each other and we are deeply committed to all three. For more than 18 years, the Chartway Promise Foundation has allowed us to expand our impact through the support of numerous charities and to provide life-changing experiences for children and their families facing medical hardships. It’s important to us and our members to let people going through tough times know they are not alone. We care for them. The credit union movement has provided the perfect opportunity for me to live out my passions of volunteerism, philanthropy and empowerment. That’s why it was important to me to volunteer to serve on the NAFCU Board of Directors and to take on leadership roles within it. It’s also why I accepted the call to serve as chair of the America’s Credit Unions Transition Board of Directors. Through the creation of this new organization, the credit union industry has tremendous opportunity to amplify its good works. America’s Credit Unions stands ready to be a stronger, innovative, more responsive and effective voice for the industry so your institutions can thrive well into the future. As I serve as America’s Credit Unions first board chair, I am humbled by the responsibility that comes with it. And I promise you I will do all I can to help lead the organization to best serve you. To do that, know that the Transition Board, made up of a group of leaders I admire immensely, is committed to combining the best of both NAFCU and CUNA while being intentional to establish a new culture and governance practices to support our vision for this new organization. We’ll be working to create a new mission statement, new values and ways to track progress throughout the merger process. We’re approaching this with a whole new mindset and the sense of credit union cooperation. I have gotten to know Jim Nussle well throughout the process leading to the merger; I’ve seen his sincere appreciation for what both NAFCU and CUNA bring to the table. He’s listening closely to all members, NAFCU and CUNA alike, and is highly committed to developing the best of the best—and so is the board. You can also count on us to support Jim and the rest of the America’s Credit Unions team and hold them accountable to serving you the right way. We also need you, as members, to embrace the credit union spirit and be engaged with us throughout. You need to hold us accountable, too. My comments would not be complete without also acknowledging all that Dan Berger has done at NAFCU for our industry—and how critical he has been to the opportunity in front of us. He has been a friend and remains a friend as he begins his next chapter. Both he and Jim have led wonderful organizations that, thanks to their fortitude and grace, are the foundations for our future. This transformation will take time. There will be challenges ahead, but I am here to ask for your trust that this is for the greater good—think big picture. Give us a shot, and we’ll do everything we can to support the creation of, and strong foundation for, a brand-new organization—America’s Credit Unions. Brian Schools is the president and CEO of Chartway Credit Union headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va. 24 THE NAFCU JOURNAL November–December 2023
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