The "Northwest Credit Union Association" is the new name selected for the proposed new trade group merging the Washington and Oregon credit union leagues due to debut early next year, it was announced Thursday.
The brand identity was adopted at what was described as "an historic joint session" Wednesday of directors of the Credit Union Association of Oregon and the Washington Credit Union League.
The boards met in Portland to finalize plans for a Nov. 1 member vote by CUs in the two states on consolidating the two trade groups.
"The proposal now moves to a joint membership action," said a statement. "A majority vote of the voting members is required by member credit unions in both states to affirm the joint board's historic agreement"
"Yesterday's joint board meeting," said a release, "culminates a whirlwind town hall tour throughout the two states by the board leaders and management of the two organizations as they gathered input from member credit unions."
"These town halls have provided us with important information to help guide the final structure and framework of the new association that will be presented to the joint membership," said WCUL President/CEO John Annaloro.
Troy Stang, president/CEO of the Credit Union Association of Oregon echoed Annaloro's observations.
"John and I as well as the joint board leadership team have been inspired by the interest and concern for the future of our respective associations that has been demonstrated by the discussion across both states," Stang said.
WCUL Chair Debie Keesee and CUAO Chair Gene Pelham joined by other directors "dedicated their time to the tour in reaching out to colleagues about the value presented by the unification of the two trade associations." The town halls were conducted in over a dozen cities across Oregon and Washington culminating in Olympia, Wash. on Sept. 3.
