The Hypocrisy of the Save CCU Organization

First, I am a 25-year member of Columbia Credit Union (CCU). Second, I must say that the Save CCU organization is incredibly hypocritical on several accounts. The following is a good example of just one. Under the “Want to Help?” page on Save CCU’s Web site the following is mentioned in a list of things supporters can do to help the Save CCU group further their cause along: “(VERY IMPORTANT!) Be sure to attend the forthcoming “Special Meeting”! This should be the chance – finally! – to get ALL the details out on the table, with EVERYBODY awake and aware of the issue. The vote can still go either way (yes, everybody IS entitled to their own opinion!), but this time it will at least be the most honest and true representation of the will of the full membership that is possible to achieve. And that’s the right way to do it!” In above statement, you will notice the claim that “EVERYBODY” will be “aware and awake” concerning conversion issues, the board, etc. There is also mention that the “will of the full membership” will be heard and represented at such a meeting. This is a ludicrous set of statements for several reasons when you look at it logically. 1. How can “EVERYBODY” attend a special meeting when there is not a facility in the area that will accommodate 59,000+ members? 2. Of course, everyone will not be able to attend the meeting, but even a 36% turnout would exceed the Rose Garden’s capacity. A 16% turnout (the same percentage that voted on the conversion issue) would produce a turnout of almost 9,500 people. Where in Vancouver could such a place be found? The Clark County Fair Grounds? Perhaps, but could you imagine the expense for CCU and the hardship in parking, traveling, time, etc. for members to participate in such a meeting? I think one can quickly realize that the special meeting the Save CCU organization calls for would result in only a fraction of the membership attending. Since the meeting calls for a member to be present in order to vote (there would be no mail-in ballot option) some members would be disenfranchised. This is what I believe the Save CCU group is hoping for in order to pack a meeting with fellow dissidents to push through their agenda. Also suspect, is that the organization’s leader is an ex-CEO of the credit union. Any guess as to which person this group nominates first for the new board? It is clear to me that the Save CCU organization is a fraud and interested in serving its own interests, while using the “front” that it’s moving forward in the member’s best interests. I noticed that since the CCU board’s decision to reject this group’s petition, the Save CCU organization has unleashed several rhetoric driven accusations and charges against them without mention of the board’s primary concern: a member must be present to vote. Ironically, the Save CCU organization founded their entire movement based on the claim that all members were not given the chance to be heard during the recent mail-in vote to convert to a member owned bank. So instead of embracing the board’s decision, Save CCU is pushing for a meeting to remove the current board and appoint a new one when they know full well that all members cannot possibly attend, vote and be heard. Brad Huston Battle Ground, Washington Columbia Community CU Member