BACKGROUND
State Employees’ Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative financial institution
formed to promote thrift among its members, provide a source of credit at fair and reasonable rates,
and assist its members in improving their economic and social condition. The leadership of the
organization relies heavily on volunteers to provide direction and ensure sound operation.
Volunteers serve the Credit Union through Advisory Boards, Member Loan Review Committees, the
Board of Directors, and The State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation Board. Currently close to
3,000 members serve on the various committees or Boards, all without compensation.
The Board of Directors consists of 11 members, all of whom must be members in good standing
with SECU. Regular terms of office are for periods of three years, unless a Director is elected to
serve out an unexpired term, or is appointed by the Board to fill a vacant Director position until the
next annual meeting. The terms are staggered such that each year at least three or four Directors’
seats are presented to the membership for election.
Because of the frequency and length of Board and committee meetings, members serving on the
Board must be available at the core administrative offices in Raleigh at least monthly. The Board
meets monthly on the 4th Tuesday for several hours. Board members must also attend numerous
committee meetings and events around the state throughout the year, as well as two annual off-
site meetings spanning three days each. Additionally, Board members serve a dual duty as members
of the Foundation Board, which also presents a significant meeting and decisional schedule. The
press of business and difficulty of subject matter, combined with the fact that these are unpaid
positions, make the decision about serving a serious one. That said, the gratification that comes
from working with loyal SECU employees to serve both our members and the larger population of
North Carolina is commensurate with this required commitment and effort for those who bring their
time and talent to the considerable work of the Board.
SECU utilizes a rigorous Application and a Nominating Committee as the primary means to identify,
screen, and recruit members who are willing to serve on the Board. Because of the significant
responsibility of a Director and the learning curve involved in becoming effective in this position,
most Directors serve for multiple terms. Nationally, the average tenure of a credit union board
member is about 12 years. There is a great benefit both in having seasoned Directors and in having
new members bring fresh skill-sets and ideas to the Board. It is the role of the Nominating
Committee to help balance those essential competing benefits. Nominating Committees often
focus on member-applicants who can fill certain voids in the current Board, such as state agency
representation, demographics, specific skill-sets, and other criteria. If they have represented the
membership well and performed their duties at or above an acceptable standard, incumbent
Directors are typically nominated for additional terms.
Historically, most Directors have been nominated and elected as a result of the slate placed before
the membership by the Nominating Committee. However, the Bylaws also allow for nominations
to be made by petition through policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.
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