PHOENIX –While speaking before an audience of credit unionindustry executives, CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle said, assupported by eye witnesses and a transcript provided by CUNA, he'sobserved that his credit union trade association is bloated andinefficient.

Nussle, who took the top position at CUNA one year ago, made hisremarks during the Sept. 24 general session at the CUNA Community Credit Union and The Federation 2015 AnnualConferences, which took place at the Sheraton Downtown fromSept. 22-25. CUNA media representatives later clarified Nusslemisspoke and was referring to criticism he's heard from others ashe spent the last year asking questions about how to improve theorganization.

Nussle also told attendees that CUNA is cutting credit unions' 2016 dues and resolves to spend 100% ofthe dues payments on advocacy, which he called the association'sprimary focus. The announcement was met with scattered applause. Hesaid CUNA had “flattened the staff levels” and reorganized to makeitself more efficient as well. Nussle put his comments in thecontext of growth, which he said is how credit unions should definewinning.

“We want to grow because we want to serve more people,” Nusslesaid.

He told executives that CUNA and similar trade associations solda lie to their members – that if their members would hire peoplelike him and send a big staff to Washington, they would be able tomake things change.

Nussle said that was not true, and pointed to the AmericanAssociation of Retired Persons and the National Rifle Associationas organizations that had learned the importance of fully involvingtheir members in their advocacy efforts.