The timing may have been coincidental but this week's disclosurethat the $1.6 billion AppleFederal Credit Union of Fairfax, Va., has resigned from theVirginia Credit Union League and CUNA comes amidst discussion of amajor restructuring move by the state trade group includingrelocating its headquarters.

Official comment on the Apple departure linked to unhappinessover CUNA policy direction on the corporates was still forthcomingbut in the meantime CU executives across the state were conveningfor a series of town hall sessions this month to review long-termplans for the trade group.

Among various proposals being considered are moving the league'shistoric headquarters home from Lynchburg to Richmond — the statecapitol — revamping advocacy activities and reorganizing thechapter network perhaps along professional lines following the leadof other leagues.

Regarding headquarters relocation, a spokesman noted Lynchburgin the center of the state has been the league home for 77 yearsbut the need has become apparent that effective lobbying requires acapitol presence.

The league leadership also recognizes, he said, that “ourlegislative advocacy can be improved at the grassroots and thisbecame evident in that we have only one Virginia representativesigned on to the business lending bill in Congress.” He wasreferring to Rep. Gerry Connolly, a Fairfax Democrat.

On chapters, he said the league is looking at developingroundtable sessions, much like what's being tried in other states,which also have witnessed a waning of attendance and participationin chapter meetings. Some of the lower attendance has been tracedto the merger phenomenon, the expansive growth of online vehicleslike Twitter and Facebook as well as tighter expense budgets fortravel and hotels.

Final decisions on the future course of the league, officialssaid, are expected after completion of the town hall meetings withthe first held Wednesday in Virginia Beach.

The league said last month the regional meetings to concludeMarch 12 were being held to gain feedback on a three-year strategicplan.

“The Town Hall meetings are designed to inform credit unionsabout several new league initiatives, to review the league'sstrategic plan, to share the findings of our recent survey of CEOs,and to solicit your feedback and input,” said the league. Five moremeetings will be held between now and March 12.