ATTLEBORO, Mass. — NationsHeritage Federal Credit Union Board Chairman Robert Wilkinson has always accomplished any goal he set for himself, but being named NAFCU Volunteer of the Year in the less than $150 million in assets category was never even on the radar.
"I was completely astonished and in my mind I still truly do not think I'm worthy of such an honor," said Wilkinson. "I'm sure there are others doing more than I have for the credit union movement. I'm surprised and very flattered."
A board member since 1972, at age 25 Wilkinson was the youngest member of the board when he got his start as a CU volunteer. From the credit committee to board chairman he has always been a supporter of education at the board, staff and member level.
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"Our role is to give back and help support our community," said Wilkinson. "A great board member has a passion for the credit union and once you have it combined with knowledge and understanding, everyone is more enthusiastic to work as a team with management to make sure the credit union is in the forefront." Playing up the idea that a well-informed board builds confidence and makes for a better credit union, Wilkinson is credited with a variety of board education initiatives. From making the VAP educational program a requisite for board members who want to attend regional and national credit union conferences, to the establishment of a 360? board review, every move is geared toward ensuring the board remains updated on issues impacting not only NationsHeritage FCU, but the credit union community as a whole. "Our CEO brought in a great industry consultant John Gregoire to help with board governance and part of it was the board evaluating itself as a whole and each individual member," said Wilkinson. "It's been a great tool because it helps us improve. Ironically it has also helped create change in our board makeup." Completed every quarter the review helps all the board members to anonymously rate how each individual is doing overall. Wilkinson tabulates the data onto a spreadsheet that ranks each board member, which is later passed out to the board.
"Sometimes those in the lower range are already aware they could be doing more and ask for tips on how to improve," said Wilkinson. "Those that didn't receive the information as well decided to no longer serve but that created a great opportunity to pull a new board member from the community and have more board diversity. We realize the value of a strong effective board that discusses issues in various voices but acts as one."
Wilkinson also handles communication between board members, e-mailing them with pertinent CU information in addition to monthly meeting dates and other community events that board members can attend. Last year, he was responsible for contacting other area credit union CEOs and board chairs and encouraging them to meet quarterly to share best practices and discuss common issues and topics ranging from identity theft and credit scoring to details about the bank secrecy act and legislative issues.
"We have a lot of common concerns and information that is important for us to share, while CEOs were well educated the boards may not have been as up to date so these quarterly meetings are a great way for everyone to get up to speed," said Wilkinson. "For credit unions to move ahead its vital that there be a good symbiotic relationship between the board and CEO. That means no micromanagement the board and management have their own roles to play. Both entities can challenge back and forth but at the end of the day they have to go down the same path." Recently retired from the Rhode Island Air National Guard, Wilkinson was involved in a tour of duty to Iraq for two months in 2005. During that time he flew 22 combat missions with 73 combat sorties in Iraq, and four combat missions, with 12 combat sorties in Afghanistan. He brought back with him a US flag that was flown over Iraq by members of the Air National Guard.
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