Gilbert, You're too Fast to Judge Volunteers

Regarding David Gilbert’s letter in the Aug. 31 issue, I ask, who is he? Has anyone ever heard of him? What are his strengths and weaknesses? If he has accomplished all the things that he recommends for a volunteer to get on a board, why have so few volunteers ever heard of him? To keep the record straight, I did meet him once. In contrast to David Gilbert’s lack of exposure, many do know volunteer Bob Scott from Pentagon FCU. So, why wasn’t he elected? If you think that it was for reasons other than that he was a volunteer, you are looking through rose colored glasses! David Gilbert you hurt the cause of volunteers with your comments. Although I am convinced that your comments were inadvertent and well meaning, nevertheless you give ammunition to those who are determined to keep volunteers off boards. I believe that you are aware that there are board members on NAFCU, CUNA, WOCCU, CUNA Mutual, U.S. Central CU, NASCUS, WesCorp, NCUF, etc. whom did not fulfill your litany of requirements before their election. So, why do volunteers have to meet higher standards? And, who gave you the authority to establish standards that are not imposed on employees who serve on boards? You should be campaigning for volunteers rather than making others believe that volunteers have to jump through unrealistic hoops to get elected. Are you aware that we hire the people who tell us that we will not be elected to boards? Tell us, David Gilbert, exactly what you have done lately to promote volunteers on boards other than to propound utopian ideas in a biased environment? What do you think of a quota of volunteers on boards as is now established to get trade organization leaders on boards while excluding volunteers? Have you recommended that NACUC open up and represent all volunteers? Have you recommended that NAFCU reserve a number of seats for volunteers? Do you support an organization solely for volunteers? I am anxious to hear your suggestions to bring balance on our boards. Charles Dawes Director Credit Union Directors Association Roseville, Calif.