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Know When It’s Time To Go
Holding onto your board position may be best for you, but what’s best for your credit union? In September 2021, I wrote an article entitled “Are Women Better Leaders?” Then, I referenced several studies and articles from sources including the Pew Research Center, Forbes and The Washington Post that seemed to suggest that maybe, just…
Read MoreIs Your Organizational Success An Accident?
New study suggests where to look for the answer. We’ve been studying credit union governance for more than a decade now and amassed mountains of data on credit unions of all asset sizes and from all over North America. Perhaps the most frequently asked question we hear is some variation of, “How do we know…
Read MoreHearing All Voices
More Listening, Less Mansplaining I was recently facilitating a retreat for one of our credit union clients when one of the board members—a male board member—started going toe-to-toe with me on the subject of good governance. Really? I thought to myself. Okay, let’s go. I’ve been a professional in the national not-for-profit sector, focusing on…
Read MoreThe Playground Bully Grows Up
I’ve been bullied three times in my life, and as anyone who has ever been bullied can tell you, that’s about three times too many. Luckily for me, each of these bullies entered my life when I was adult. They were professionals, on-the-job bullies. And the last one did the damage just recently. I don’t…
Read MoreKey Outcomes And Lessons Learned From A Board Renewal Effort
By Jennie Boden and Dr. Alexander Stein An analysis of Hudson Valley CU’s work to revise key governance processes. Quantum Governance and Dolus Advsiors are pleased to offer the following key outcomes and lessons learned from our work with $6.1 billion Hudson Valley Credit Union in revisioning and revising their nominations process. (For more background,…
Read MoreWhy Directors Are Chess Pieces, Not Checkers
By Jennie Boden and Dr. Alexander Stein of Dolus Advisors Every director should be ‘chair material’—even if they wouldn’t make a good chair. We worked with $6.5 billion Hudson Valley Credit Union, Poughkeepsie, New York, on an extensive board renewal project. During that effort, the CU’s nominations subcommittee decided that every candidate on its slate…
Read MoreMentoring … Because If We Don’t, Who Will?
Supporting other women as they advance is important. A year ago September, after Ruth Bader Ginsburg died, I wrote an article for Advancing Women called The Thin, Strong String that Ties Women Together about how successful women have long helped the next generation find their footing and be better able to succeed. I thought of…
Read MoreAre Women Better Leaders?
They are when they act with humility, self-awareness, self-control, moral sensitivity and kindness. I just finished an interview with the female CEO of a fairly large credit union. I love conducting interviews. It’s my favorite part of my job, and luckily, I get to conduct a lot of them. As president of consulting services at…
Read MoreServing Members’ Best Interests Benefits From A Constructive Partnership
When directors, supervisory committee members and executives collaborate effectively, members benefit. I spent the better part of my career working in the nonprofit sector. I like to say that I’ve had every job from executive assistant to executive director. And I loved every minute. When you work for a nonprofit—any kind of nonprofit—you do it…
Read MoreParity In The Boardroom Takes Patience, Planning And Process
But putting in the effort can definitely make a difference. I have to admit I’m not a big fan of publications like Advancing Women. I mean, I’m honored to write for it, but why, after all these years, do we still have to have special publications with a special focus on advancing women? I mean,…
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