"Probably the last thing is to actually make a good campaign," Gilbert said. Volunteers might be "na??ve" about it, but you have to build a dossier and you have to compile solid endorsements from known credit union leaders "to overcome the lack of recognition." He pointed out that he did not win the first time around running for NAFCU's Board, but he learned about campaigning and timing your message, and lobbied the credit union boards, emphasizing that they are the ones who should vote on the NAFCU Board members.

Gilbert has been working on this issue, educating volunteers on what it takes to get elected and how to get known and noticed. As a member of the National Association of Credit Union Chairpersons, he and others have tried to harness what they learn there and bring it back to Maryland and Washington, D.C. for their Chairman's Forum to share with the smaller credit unions that might not be able to send someone away to a national meeting and provide networking opportunities.

"Up to now, they've been kind of reluctant," Gilbert said of NACUC regarding encouraging volunteers to run for trade association board spots. However, he got a resolution passed by the group to at least support volunteer candidates, but Gilbert would like to see the group be more proactive.

Gilbert pointed out that there are about 8,500 credit unions with however many board members each creating a huge pool of talent. Even if only 10% were truly remarkable, that would still be a large group to choose from.

Particularly, as a longtime credit union chairman, Gilbert brought "a heck of a lot of experience" in serving on a board. He said it was an "interesting twist" to see some of the credit union professionals on the board doing what they complained about at their own credit unions–micromanaging.

He acknowledged that it is a bit different scenario given the whole future of the entire credit union movement is on the line, but Gilbert saw it as "look, I'm paying this CEO to do this job." The board should provide guidelines and let the staff run with it. Gilbert also served on the CEO selection committee in selecting chose Fred Becker, which he called "a great experience."

Serving on the NAFCU Board provided the 78-year-old retired Army Material Systems Analysis division head experiences he might not have had otherwise. He recalled the "thrill" of observing the signing of H.R. 1151. He attended two presidential inaugurations, two presidential balls, assisted in briefing the Federal Reserve on credit union issues. "It was a practical education in government," Gilbert said.

One of those practical experiences hit particularly close to home: inside NAFCU's boardroom. Gilbert put together a big presentation based on facts and figures, demonstrating that NAFCU should be advocating for greater fairness in the overhead transfer rate process during his first year on the board. He said the entire board nodded along politely then made him a "member of the 11-1 club" voting down his proposal.

"There's a lot of difference between what the facts are and what the political situation will accept," he said, chuckling. Two years later he got the same proposal passed. "Sometimes, it's not that you're not right, it's just not the right time," he concluded.

Another thing he accomplished with NAFCU was creating a more formal process for electing table officers, which he said is now more open and efficient.

Even though stepping down from NAFCU, Gilbert still plans to be highly involved in credit unions. He recently won election to the board of the Maryland & D.C. Credit Union Association as well as maintaining his chairmanship at APG FCU over the last 15 years. He has served on the board of APG FCU for a total of 38 years. "It's kind of an addiction," he admitted, adding that he will sometimes drop in on credit unions while he is down at his vacation home in Florida.

"The Maryland & D.C. Credit Union Association has a remarkable opportunity in front of it," he said. Gilbert pointed out that the group is right next to both the state and the national capitals. While serving on the board there, he wants to continue his push for more volunteer education to get them more involved in the trade associations and the political process.

He said he would also like to build a strong base for the association and see 100% affiliation with the MDDCCUA. "[CEO] Mike Beall is a super talent. He lives and breaths credit unions and so do his parents," Gilbert stated.

He has already been active at MDDCCUA, instigating the group's first tennis tournament at the Annual Meeting and then taking second from a field of 12. He is hoping for 50 next year.

–[email protected]