Regarding the flap over directors serving on the boards ofcredit union trade association boards, understand that there is nosure way to be elected. Both CEOs and member-elected, unpaidvolunteers have to present their credentials and campaignvigorously to become elected. Some have won and some have lost. Butwhy are there so few member-elected, unpaid volunteers on theseboards despite the fact that the role of volunteer directordistinguishes credit unions from other financial institutions?There are no systemic obstacles to the volunteer in the NAFCUelection procedure. Indeed, in each of the last six years, therehave been two member-elected volunteers among the 12 electeddirectors of NAFCU. This is a much greater representation than inother national credit union associations. While there are manyoutstanding volunteers among credit unions, their abilities andcredentials are often unknown to the electing officials of votingcredit unions, or they do not wish to make the substantial timecommitment these state and national positions demand. In contrast,CEOs are often better known among their peers through their manyprofessional contacts and active role in committees, task forcesand educational panel appearances. Indeed, their work requires themto be well informed on credit union legislative and regulatoryissues. Therefore, it is not surprising that thinking voters wouldnot vote for unknown candidates or those with fewer credentialsthan their opponents. The task is clear-volunteers must work todevelop their electability. Even more important, volunteers shouldincrease their knowledge of the current and future issues thatstate and national credit union organizations must address as theydialogue with their membership and develop positions and policies.There are many opportunities for volunteers to develop theirelectability and to learn how to campaign more effectively for aposition at the state or national level. They must be willing toestablish their goals, develop their credentials, commit theirtime, learn the election procedure, build their election base andexecute a well-thought-out campaign plan. Here are a few actions Ihave found useful: *Assess your electability, your strengths andweaknesses and plan accordingly. *Read current publicationsaddressing credit union matters. *Attend appropriate conferencesand seminars; listen and develop your knowledge base. *Volunteer toparticipate as a moderator, facilitator, panelist etc. *Serve onthe various committees or task/project teams at the state level.*Seek election at the state level to help build your election base.*Serve effectively on various committees of the national creditunion organizations. *Do active lobby work with local or nationalpoliticians. *Write or speak on credit union issues. *Considerbecoming an active participant in the National Association ofCredit Union Chairmen. *Seek endorsements from key credit union andpolitical leaders. *Learn the election procedure, how to seeknomination, who gets the ballot, when to vote, who votes, etc.*Assure that your board participates in all the nominating andballoting decisions for state and national credit unionorganizations. Encourage the same for other credit unions. *Studysuccessful campaign literature, methods and timing ofcommunications. *Draft your campaign “playbook.” You are avolunteer seeking election to an important organization. Make yourcampaign and your credentials, qualifications, character and ethicsstand out. You may not win your election (few have on their firsttry). However it should not be because you were not known. It isnot easy to overcome the “unknown” factor but if you are a seriouscandidate, you can do better in the future with a well-thought-outplan. David H. Gilbert Chairman, Aberdeen Proving Ground FCU RegionII Director, NAFCU Aberdeen, Md.