Just before the New Year rings in, I'm reflecting on how proud Iam of our industry. I am particularly impressed by how creditunions serve their members on the micro level but also partner andcollaborate both locally and nationally to help each other and ourcommunities. We come together in so many positive ways and exhibita commonality of purpose that more and more people–especiallydisenchanted bank customers–take notice.

During 25 years as a credit union executive, I've had thepleasure of working with many credit union executives at the localtrade association, on advisory boards, professional organizationsand roundtables. Where I'm located in the D.C. metro area, localcredit unions and their associations have worked together oncooperative advertising to help raise the awareness of the creditunion difference.

Credit unions also effectively ban together to participate incommunity outreach programs to help those in need. Many creditunions and trades are active in local charity work, sponsoringbowling or golf tournaments, or wine auctions to help communitygroups. There are thousands of volunteer hours dedicated to servingour communities.

A unique example of community outreach that unifies creditunions, and their business partners, for a common purpose on thenational level is the Credit Union Miracle Day Family of Races,which benefit Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. This is the11th year of our successful partnership that sponsors races tobenefit charity. As credit unions choose to participate in theFamily of Races, they realize the benefit of getting nationalexposure in the media and on Capitol Hill and see the local impactsince their contributions go back to their local children'shospitals.

The Family of Races can be described as what I like to call athree-legged stool with a win for all. First, there are the creditunions that participate, nearly 100 now from 13 states, small andlarge. Second, there are the children's hospitals across thecountry that are helped by the credit union sponsor contributionsand fundraising. And third, there are the runners, thousands ofconsumers, who compete in elite runs and see the words “creditunion” plastered everywhere.

Right now, the Family of Races includes the flagship 41-year oldCredit Union Cherry Blossom Ten-Mile Run, the course of which windsaround the magnificent memorials in Washington. There is also thesecond running of the Credit Union SacTown Ten-Mile Run, held atthe California state capital in Sacramento and supported statewide.And, there are two Freedom Runs for our overseas troops serving inharm's way, one at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait and the other at ArmyGarrison Wiesbaden in Germany, supported by the Defense CreditUnion Council. The Freedom Runs are valued morale boosters for ourbrave service members. We anticipate that other states will bejoining the Family of Races, starting in 2014.

By coming together on a broader scale we leverage our power andpresent one big check from credit unions to all who are watching.Collectively, we have donated over $5.5 million in our 11-yearhistory, $515,000 in 2012 alone, all of which goes through theumbrella Credit Unions for Kids program making credit unions thethird largest donor to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals behindonly giant retailers WalMart and Costco. 

Credit unions and vendors involved in this unparalleledpartnership will soon be basking in the glory of receiving theNational Credit Union Foundation's prestigious Outstanding ProgramAward during CUNA's GAC in February. They can be proud of the factthat the Family of Races is the single largest fundraising event inthe country for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

In this somewhat acerbic political environment, we can be apositive, unified force and showcase the way credit unionscooperate for common causes. Our collective message–as financialcooperatives, credit unions are different–is amplified. As we talkand visit with our local and national legislators, we can provideconcrete examples , such as the Family of Races, of the ways we docooperate and care for our communities. It can be considered a formof natural cooperative advertising.