The end of the year is a time for giving thanks for the manyopportunities and lessons of the past. So while we're (turkey)sandwiched in between Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanza,it's time to take stock of all the things for which to begrateful.

We can all be grateful so many amazing credit union leadersexist to include in CU Times' Final Four program. We started out with 64, andbelieve me, it was difficult for us to whittle down to only thatmany. We let the readers take it from there with online voting.Following who makes it to the next round has been fun, althougheveryone on that original list – and many others – are all winners.It's been interesting to observe who lobbies for themselves or acolleague, who's sharing on social media and who emails usprivately about this pick or that. Participation in this programhas far exceeded my expectations, which makes me grateful for ourloyal audience. I'm also grateful to Executive Editor HeatherAnderson for talking me into it, and particularly Social MediaDirector/Senior Reporter Myriam DiGiovanni for plowing through allthe complications.

I'm grateful credit unions are being thoughtful about members'money when it comes to credit union trade association duesspending. CU Times surveyed readers online, asking, “Whatdo you think about CUNA's decision to rewrite its membershipbylaws?” Nearly half (48.5%) responded, “It sounds promisingbut if the board votes it down again, it could backfire.” Very,very true, but I am grateful CUNA is studying its structure again.Another 31.8% said, “It's a good sign CUNA is listening to itsmembers.” So is the second time the charm? Not necessarily for all:17.7% responded, “It's a mistake. CUNA should keep dualmembership.” A few of the “other” responses asked whetherprojections were performed on the budget impact of discontinuingdual membership, while another said it's “too little, too late.”Another asked, “Who cares what they do anymore?” Regardless of howyou feel about CUNA's handling of its structure and the membershiptask force report, everyone should care what happens. Theramifications could be immeasurable on the entire credit unioncommunity, CUNA member or not.

During my first speaking opportunity when I became editor in2007, I was asked by MACUMA to talk about Navy Federal leaving CUNAand the Virginia Credit Union League because a contract lobbyistthe state association had hired also lobbied for the payday lendingindustry. At the time, CEO Cutler Dawson asserted it createdconfusion, and inadvertently associated credit unions with paydaylenders. (Nothing too heavy for my first time out, right?) Duringthat speech, I advocated that credit unions must perform duediligence on their trade associations, much like they do on thevarious third parties with which they do business. After years ofhearing the rumblings of discontent, I'm grateful to finally seeCUNA member credit unions and the leagues pursuing constructivechange.

I'm grateful for all of the people in credit unions andelsewhere looking out for consumers' best interests. Nearly 69% of credit unions have already completed their EMVconversion or are very close to it, according to a CUTimes-CSCU survey. Keeping member data safe is good for me, mycommunity, the credit union community and an entire world full ofhonest people. In this same vein, I'm grateful for those who arerighting wrongs for credit union members everywhere, including(Hail to the) Redskins Defensive Lineman Dave Butz, who is alleging Scott CreditUnion made unauthorized loans in his name. And, althoughmember satisfaction is at a five-year low, credit unions' scoreis still well above big banks' score. As rates go up – and it'ssuspected the fed will take action in December – credit unionsshould be able to squeak out a little more income to reinvest intomember service. The American Consumer Satisfaction Index blamedmuch of the malcontent on cost cutting and fees – not only atcredit unions, but across the entire financial services sector.

Finally, I'm grateful for the New Year. It's a time to reflecton how to apply the lessons learned – and some were very, veryhard-learned – into the future. I'm grateful to those who neverstop learning and growing to ensure a strong credit union communityin perpetuity.