<p>WASHINGTON-NAFCU's Board of directors recently approved a new committee structure that they feel will make the organization more responsive to its member needs and faster acting on federal credit union issues. "The changes we have approved for the 2003 association year will further streamline our current governance process while at the same time allow for a net increase in the total number of NAFCU members serving on committees," NAFCU Chairman Jim Mills, CEO of Three Rivers FCU in Fort Wayne, Ind., commented. The NAFCU Board will eliminate five standing committees and fold their functions into those of existing committees and task forces. Also, membership in NAFCU committees will be expanded to a maximum of 12 members per committee, and for the first time, credit union staff below the CEO level will be permitted to serve. Additionally, the restriction on the number of people from a credit union allowed to serve on a committee will be removed. Finally, the six regional advisory committees will better reflect the number of NAFCU members in each region. In light of NCUA's proposed rule on Part 704, a Corporate Credit Union Committee is being added also. NAFCU is changing its association year to correspond to the calendar year, making these committee changes effective January 1, 2003.</p>