BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — One important lesson learned from the Wings/Continental controversy for volunteers: communicate frequently and clearly to members while staying tuned to their concerns.

That was one of the conclusions reached by a group of East Coast directors and chairmen convened here for the spring conclave of the fledgling Northeast Credit Union Chairmen's Forum, which like other industry trade groups denounced the hostile takeover as anathema to the CU mission.

"The unthinkable can happen," warned Peter Bruno, chairman of Financial Resources Federal Credit Union, in sounding a volunteer alarm over the withdrawn attempt by Minnesota-based Wings to forcibly acquire another airline CU in suburban Los Angeles.