CUNA announced Monday a volunteerwill join its board meetings.

John Sackett, who has served on the board of the $1.3 billionRoyal Credit Union of Eau Claire, Wis., for 25 years, is alsochairman of CUNA's Volunteer Leadership Committee and will attendhis first CUNA board meeting in September, the trade said in arelease.

“Credit union volunteers play a critical role in thesuccess of the credit union system and we must continue to find newways to get them more engaged with CUNA,” said CUNA President/CEOBill Cheney. “We are grateful to have the benefit of Mr. Sackett'sviews, and I look forward to his participation in ourmeetings.”

Sackett was appointed chairman of the Volunteer LeadershipCommittee in January 2011. The committee was formed to supportvolunteers and further increase their participation, and alsoserves as a strategic leadership resource, providing staff withadvice and guidance for enhanced volunteer-centeredinitiatives.

“We all know the incredible contributions that volunteers havemade to the success of the movement—and how critical they are forour future,” said CUNA Chairman Pat Wesenberg.

“With the many challenges before credit unionstoday—particularly in reducing the regulatory burden, addressingthe issues of small credit unions and preserving our taxexemption—this added voice to our board deliberations is mostwelcome,' said Wesenberg, president/CEO of the $207 million CentralCity Credit Union in Marshfield, Wis.

Sackett has served as director of finance for the Eau ClaireArea School District, and is a graduate of the University ofWisconsin-Eau Claire with a bachelor's degree in comprehensivepublic accounting.

He will attend the meetings to represent the volunteer viewpointbut is not a member of the CUNA Board itself.