Embracing our differences makes us stronger
It is often said that the most important resource of an organization is its people. We believe this statement to be true. So, it stands to reason that smart organizations are the ones that look for opportunities to make their people successful. Here at your Credit Union, people resources include our members, our volunteers and our staff. This means we have a vested interest in everyone's success. We believe a path to ensuring success includes an emphasis on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
You may wonder, why does your Credit Union care about DEI? To us, it's simple. We maintain there's a business case to be made here. Our focus on DEI is our way of investing in our own success. We say this because the success of your Credit Union depends on everyone's engagement. To be fully engaged, this requires an environment that embraces our differences and molds us into one unified purpose. Your Credit Union has been engaged in dialogues among various audiences on the importance of DEI. We have contributed to academic studies that seek to document the benefits to corporations.
We have contributed to open forums on the matter. We have partnered with other cooperatives in various industries to form best practices. We believe we have come away a smarter organization. At its core, your Credit Union is a cooperative. A cooperative is a member-owned institution. As such, there is a set of principles that define and govern how we operate. These principles include an egalitarian approach to financial services where every member deserves a seat at the table. As a member, you are an owner.
Our philosophy of equality is a fundamental truism in our corporate governance. Underlining all is a democratic control members have over their Credit Union. Regardless of the balance in your account, you have an equal vote in the major decisions of your cooperative. DEI plays an important role in the very fabric of cooperative credit. It is our way of ensuring we act in a manner that's consistent with our corporate values. This is how we fully engage you. As we continue to infuse DEI into our way of business, we invite you to join us on this journey. Help us understand how to hear your real story. Tell us how we can better meet your financial needs. Share with us the dreams you have for your family and community. This is how you help us all be successful.
