At this special time of year, we all have fond wishes for oneanother and resolutions to improve and enhance our health orbehavior. Not to be outdone, here are my 12 wishes for creditunions, with each promising to make the season bright!

1. A national credit union branding campaign; not marketing but abranding campaign. There is a difference!
   
2. A deeper understanding and appreciation for our credit unionroots — the cooperative business model on which it is built,including its principles and values.
   
3. A greater commitment by all credit union folks to collaboratewith other cooperative sectors for the good of all, particularly inthis, the International Year of Cooperatives.
   
4. New ways to support and fund the NCUSIF, ending a need forspecial assessments by the regulator.
   
5. True humility among all who hold leadership responsibilitythroughout our movement. Real leaders are those who serve andinspire others to greatness. We are not bankers and do not operatemultinational, publicly traded companies such as Citicorp or Bankof America. Let's remember who we are, what we're about and thevalues we espouse; and keep our egos in check.
   
6. A tenacity to pursue ideas that stretch imagination likeforming a healthcare cooperative through which all credit unionemployees can acquire quality and cost-saving services.
   
7. Less competition and a greater sense of trust, dialogue andcollaboration among all credit union folks, particularly with thefederal regulator.
   
8. Ears that are more sensitive to listening to our members and tothose at our shops who directly serve their needs every day.
   
9. The self-confidence to admit we don't know and the intelligenceto tap the expertise of those who do.
   
10. Courage to make members feel like the owners they truly are, byimplementing ways to incite their participation in the governanceand services of their cooperative.
    
11. Less personal agenda in our decision making and more effort atfinding ways to take into account the global picture so that we canpursue a cooperative path of action in doing what's in the bestinterest for all.

More time to spend with family and with those whose lovebrightens our each and every day.

To one and all, Happy Holidays!

Walt Laskos is aCredit Union Development Educator and principal of The LaskosGroup, a brand management, PR and communicationsconsultancy.