TORONTO – In order to entice talented members to your credit union board, you have to organize and publicize.

Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union Chairman David Gilbert told credit unions during a packed education session at NAFCU's Annual Conference that they must take a new approach to recruiting volunteers to their organizations. He suggested that credit unions document the opportunities to participate in running the credit union including the various positions and committees with job descriptions. And publicize it to the membership. "That is the weakest link in credit unions. The role of the volunteer is not publicized," he said. "They have talents. They have interests. You have to show them the opportunities." Gilbert added that volunteer directors are one of the ways credit unions differentiate themselves from banks. Offer flexibility, too, Gilbert said. Start by asking people to take on something small, maybe even one project. He told how he had asked a local lawyer he knew to volunteer his time in writing a policy with APG's supervisory committee. The lawyer's interest was piqued by the project and he signed on as an alternate to the committee until subsequently being a full member of the committee. "What we're after is good and successful talent. And good and successful talent is usually very busy," Gilbert explained. He said people have commented that APG FCU has too many committees, but Gilbert defended the committees saying that it is better to have more members involved. He added that credit unions should also promote the benefits of serving at a credit union such as rsum experience, financial management and knowledge, training, and even social events.