ARLINGTON-An independent survey firm found that NAFCU members place a high value on their membership in the trade association, according to a survey sponsored by NAFCU. The survey, conducted by Schmidt Consulting Services of Pittsburgh, revealed that 84% of NAFCU-member CEOs said the overall value for dues paid was "outstanding" or "very good" and 49% responded that the value was improving. CEOs answering the survey said the responsiveness of NAFCU's staff was either "outstanding" or "very good." A full 95% said they were "very likely" or "likely" to renew their credit union's membership with NAFCU. Of the CEO respondents, 98% said NAFCU did an "outstanding" or "very good" job of informing members of regulatory and legislative developments; 98% also answered "outstanding" or "very good" when asked if NAFCU was knowledgeable about regulatory compliance matters; and 93% rated the responsiveness of the NAFCU staff as "outstanding" or "very good." NAFCU's ability to influence federal regulation and federal legislation was given an "outstanding" or "very good" rating by 93% of CEO respondents. Eighty-four percent said NAFCU does an "outstanding" or "very good" job of improving credit unions' business climate. "We've been doing these membership satisfaction surveys for quite a while," NAFCU Vice President of Communications Jay Morris told reporters last week. "We tend to do them every three years. We did one in 1999. [2003's is] higher than 1999." He added that he broke out the responses of CEOs from others surveyed because NAFCU considered them an important membership constituent and because, at 39.5% (334 of 846), they had the highest response rate. In addition, 91% of CEO respondents said their credit union belongs to more than one trade group. Two-thirds (67%) said that NAFCU provides either "much better" or "better" value when compared to other trade associations. Another 31% said it provided "comparable" value. "NAFCU received exceptionally positive ratings from its members," SCS President Albert F. Schmidt, Jr., said. "NAFCU members clearly place a high value on the services they receive from NAFCU, especially in comparison to what they receive from other trade associations. NAFCU also does a remarkably good job of representing and responding to members of all sizes, something which trade associations strive for but do not always achieve." Though the overall survey results were positive, Morris commented, "We did find out some things from the survey-areas where we can do a little more work or perhaps improve a bit on what we're already doing." He explained that respondents were looking to NAFCU for more training and support to improve credit unions' operations, to receive more information electronically, and to promote NAFCU's website more, as well as the services of NAFCU Services Corporation. "There's always room for improvement," NAFCU President and CEO Fred Becker said, "but what comes through loud and clear is that NAFCU is responding well to members' needs, and, by and large, our members are quite pleased with the services they receive from NAFCU." The results of the survey will be employed to spruce up the organization's programs and shape its future, NAFCU said. The survey took place during January and early February 2003. Surveys were sent to 5,611 NAFCU-member CEOs, chairs, staff and volunteers and 1,270 responded (22.6%). The response rate for CEOs alone was 39.5%. The consulting firm determined that the results were balanced across member asset size and were statistically valid. -

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