Volunteer Board Director: Credit Union Leadership

We are currently accepting applications for a Board of Directors Volunteer at Members First Credit union. Although there is not currently an open seat on the board, we encourage candidates to apply as we prepare for opportunities for committee work or board seats become available.

Members First Credit Union

Volunteer – Board of Directors

We are delighted and honored you have shown an interest in serving as a volunteer with your credit union. Volunteers are essential to the credit union movement and one of the foundations of the movement’s uniqueness. The first credit unions were operated entirely by unpaid volunteers. Although credit unions today require full-time professional management, the importance of dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers remains vital to credit unions as the true representatives of the member‑owners of the institution.

They are the communication link with the members. They set credit union policy. They are a sounding board for ideas, and provide expertise and talents. They are the most effective lobbyists for credit unions in the State Legislature and in Congress, and are one of the reasons why we still have an independent and highly successful credit union system. Volunteers are, and always will be, an integral part of the credit union movement.

While recognizing and conveying appreciation for the contributions of volunteers, credit unions also have an obligation to provide them with educational opportunities to allow them to make even greater contributions toward the growth and betterment of the credit union. Credit unions were founded on the principle of “people helping people”. As a volunteer, you are putting that philosophy into action.

Our current volunteers, representing over 57,000 Members First Credit Union (MFCU) member‑owners, thank you for your interest in serving as a volunteer for Members First Credit Union.

The Elected Volunteers (Officials) and Management Team (Executive Officers) serve not only the members of MFCU, but also the credit union movement and the State of Michigan. By the acceptance of their respective positions, volunteers assume fiduciary, legal and moral responsibilities, which they cannot delegate. Further, implied in each position is a duty to conduct the affairs of the credit union with absolute loyalty to it, and to do so without incurring even a shadow of conflict of interest.

The credit union supervisory agencies, and credit union trade associations, provide volunteer officials with materials and training to assist volunteers in developing a high degree of expertise. But ultimately, it is a person’s character and integrity that enables them to faithfully carry out their accepted responsibilities.

• Must be a member of Members First Credit Union.
• Cannot have been convicted of a felony, a crime involving dishonesty or breach of trust.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Possess knowledge, experience, or skills as related to the position.
• Have a good credit standing.
• Willing to accept the responsibilities of an elected volunteer.
• Able to meet attendance standards for board meetings.
• Willing to achieve and maintain financial literacy as required by regulation.
• Able to act independently and objectively regardless of external relationships with other volunteers and/or employees.
• Not an employee or Official Family member of a competing financial institution.
• Not an employee of Members First Credit Union within the past three years.
• Embod the spirit of Members First Credit Union in encouraging a better tomorrow by being trustworthy, caring, and enthusiastic.

• Establish goals and objectives.
• Set policies to achieve these goals.
• Maintain competent management.
• Appraise performance and results.
• Report to the membership.
• Fulfill the requirements of the Michigan Credit Union Act, By‑Laws, and Rules and Regulations.
• Direct and control the affairs of the credit union’s operations.
• Develop a strategic plan.
• Develop policies and procedures to ensure the best interest of the membership is well served while insuring sound business practices and compliance with all federal and state regulations.