Mike Welch's column in the Feb. 9 issue and the accompanyingletters it spurred from two long-time friends, Jack Dublin and DickRobertson regarding credit unions converting to banks, sparksanother “old timer” to add to the resistance force. I simply cannotbelieve that non-credit union people would use such a wonderfulcooperative idea called a credit union for their own benefit. I'llbet that the old organizers would turn over in their graves if theyknew what was happening to their idea of “Not for Profit, Not forCharity, but for Service”. I simply don't know what the “real”problem is when the CEO decides to convert. Sure, legislation hasbeen and will always be an issue about relaxing laws to serve ourmembers better. That is all part of “We make making a difference analternative”. As long as I can remember, before conversions thatis, the movement has always had rebels with causes and those withno causes. As a league president, I always appreciated those whowanted to serve better so they formed the “Cadillac Club” andvarious other organizations so they could tell others what they hadaccomplished in their credit unions. Their attitude was reallyself-pride, entrepreneurship, and legally wanting to do more sincethe democratic process was not moving fast enough. So be it – theystill called themselves credit union idealists. They were rebelswith a cause. Credit union philosophy was still there. Many of themwere ex-bank employees enjoying the credit union idea.Self-interest was only involved in salary negotiations. With some,now comes the change of heart as to understanding what the creditunion philosophy is all about and what a jewel the credit unionsreally are and what they add to the financial systems of nations.As an example of cooperativeness we (Kansas credit unions) bought abank in Kansas back in the early 1970's because we could not gainaccess to the automated clearing houses or the Federal Reserve andchecking. So buying the bank and using our corporate gave us thisaccess. We didn't convert credit unions to banks because we coulduse the access to those services for which we did not have thelegal authority. So in the final analysis, to those of you who wantto be bankers and use credit union members and their reserves toaccomplish your selfish desires, I would recommend as analternative that you buy a bank or form one of your own and pleaselet those of us who are credit union idealists continue supportingthe mission of credit unions as a truly cooperative financialexperience. Jim Jukes Former CUNA and League Executive Waunakee,Wisconsin.