CU*Answers has announced the publication and release of its 2016 Board Member Handbook. The handbook is developed annually and provided free to anyone with an interest in learning more about how the CU*Answers Board of Directors delivers the 7 Cooperative Principles to the forefront.

As part of its goals for their board, the credit union-owned CUSO emphasized that nothing says more about the health of a cooperative than the confidence the stakeholders have in the role of the board, and how the board works on their behalf. The CU*Answers Board of Directors wants everyone to know the high goals set to earn its clients’ faith and maintain their confidence in the health of CU*Answers as a cooperative.

Within the handbook, CU*Answers highlighted five primary goals it wants its stakeholders and potential board nominees to understand:

Goal 1: The board is an asset, creates a return, is a product that can be marketed

Why is the board important? Why is it a real asset and “product” that the business can count on?

How is the board’s design and execution a win for the business?

 

Goal 2: Board membership is a win-win

Why is the board important and valuable to the acting board member’s interest?

How is this a win-win design and how can board member execution benefit the board member?

 

Goal 3: The board guards the customer-owner perspective

Why is the board important to the customer-owners of the cooperative?

How does the board’s design and execution create value for the owners?

 

Goal 4: The board helps staff to flourish

Why is the board important to the staff and professional team members?

How does the board’s design and execution create a win for the staff’s careers?

 

Goal 5: The board influences the CU market for the good of all CUs

Why is the board important to the marketplace at large?

How does the board’s design and execution create a positive influence on the industry, community, or general public?

 

Every CU*Answers owner CEO is openly encouraged to become a part of its board of directors by taking a close look at this handbook and should consider putting their name forward as a nominee for future board elections.