Report from the Chair

Joseph Brancucci, CLC Chair
June 3, 2005

At last year's membership meeting held in New Orleans, I set out a number of goals for your CUNA Lending Council for 2005. With only five months until our next meeting in Miami, I want to fill you in on how we’re doing.

We have exceeded our membership target goal of 600 members. Based on the level of response to our member survey, the energy of our volunteer committee members, and timeliness of renewals, we know that our membership is more than just a number. It is a commitment from each and every one of you to make your council significant in your professional life.

Last year's attendance at the annual conference was our best turnout ever. At this year’s conference (our tenth anniversary as a council) in the beautiful Loews Miami Beach Hotel in Florida, we would love to hit 400 attendees. So far more than 50 have registered. Please make your plans early and join us for what will be an incredible agenda, filled with lots of surprises and fun, but most importantly, the chance to talk to your peers about what is important to you.

The Scholarship Fund has been busy granting scholarships to those credit unions not able to afford lending education so vital to their continued existence. We have begun our fundraising and will be looking to each and every member, and their institutions, to make contributions to the fund. Our goal of $1 million is still a long way off, but with personal contributions and small institutional contributions, we will get there. Please help as you can and if you would like to work with me on this fundraising effort, please contact me at jbrancucci@becu.org. All your help would be appreciated.

During the next month or two we will be asking for nominations for new Executive Committee members. This year we have a few members that will be retiring and it would be great to have a good cross-section of nominees fill the vacant slots. As you know, your Executive Committee works hard on committees all year long, and if you are looking for a challenge and have the energy and motivation to serve, please step forward.

So, before you embark on your summer vacations, register for the CUNA Lending Conference, make a small tax-deductible contribution to the scholarship fund, and consider running for an Executive Committee slot or volunteering for a committee. And thanks to all our volunteers who make the CUNA Lending Council what it is.

Joseph Brancucci is CLC Chair and vice president of lending for Boeing Employees Credit Union. He is also president and CEO of Prime Alliance Solutions, Inc. Contact him at jbrancucci@becu.org