ALEXANDRIA, Va.-Taking advantage of modern technology, NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar addressed NAFCU's 22nd Annual Credit Union Volunteers Conference by `virtually' traveling thousands of miles, rather than by jumbo jet. Dollar challenged credit union volunteers to be the "architects of vision" in their credit unions and communities from the comfort of the NCUA Boardroom in Virginia to attendees of NAFCU's Volunteers Conference in Hawaii. "Credit unions are not content to pat themselves on the back and congratulate each other on their laurels of accomplishments over recent decades," he said. "True credit union leaders are looking forward, not backward. They are not satisfied with an `if it ain't broke, don't fix it' mentality and are actually looking for innovative ways to make an even greater positive impact for their membership and communities. The results of such a vision among both volunteers and professionals will carry the movement forward for generations to come." Chairman Dollar called upon his audience to be "more than the backbone of the credit union movement that you have been since its inception.you have the opportunity to provide the entire skeletal frame for a vigorous and vital movement which is positioned to move forward, not fall backward, in making a positive difference in the lives of your members and potential members in waiting." He also touted the agency's RegFlex, Access Across America, incidental powers, overseas branching, member business lending modernization, field of membership updates, risk-based examination scheduling and the risk-focused exam program, Accountability in Management, and revised investment authorities, many of the changes initiated by Dollar. He also reminded the audience that safety and soundness remains the agency's top priority. While Dollar said he has sent videotaped speeches out to various conferences he was unable to attend, this was the first one he had given live via video conference. NAFCU facilitated the equipment usage through Counter Intelligence Associates. -
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