RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. – Meanwhile, six months later, the Washington, California/Nevada and Oregon credit union leagues jointly formed a non-dues based "super regional" organization to allow credit unions in the four states to share products and services. Called the CU Association of the West, David Chatfield, president/CEO, California and Nevada leagues and president of the new umbrella organization, compared it to the European Unions which "has opened borders and eliminated barriers for travel and commerce between member countries for the benefit of all." John Annaloro, president/CEO of the Washington Credit Union League and chairman/CEO of CU Association of the West, said the "time was right for the leagues, which share many strategic similarities, to come together to form a partnership that breaks away from the traditional three-tier structure of national associations, state associations and credit unions." In its first joint effort to provide services to credit unions in the four western states, CU Association of the West announced in late 2001 its educational calendar for 2002. It features a series of 185 events for management, staff and volunteers.