Volunteer Board Member

What does the position entail?

An Energy Capital Credit Union board member helps guide the long-term direction of a member-owned financial cooperative. Working with fellow directors, the board sets strategy, approves key policies, oversees the credit union’s financial condition and major risks, and holds the CEO accountable for carrying out the board’s direction. Directors represent the interests of the membership as a whole and help ensure ECCU remains a safe, sound, and valuable resource for members and the communities it serves. The board’s role is governance and oversight; the CEO and staff manage day-to-day operations.

In practice, a director is expected to:

• Attend and participate in monthly board meetings, review materials in advance, and ask thoughtful questions.

• Help shape ECCU’s strategic priorities and monitor progress against them, including member service, growth, financial strength, and the member experience.
• Review financial results, budgets, audit and examination findings, and reports on significant risks; seek enough understanding to make informed decisions.
• Serve on a board sub-committee, participate in planning sessions and director education, as assigned.
• Protect confidential information, disclose potential conflicts of interest, and make decisions in the best interests of the credit union and its members.

What does the position require?

The role calls for sound judgment, curiosity, integrity, and a willingness to prepare and participate. A candidate does not need to be a banking expert on day one, but must be willing to learn how a credit union operates, understand its financial reports, and engage constructively with fellow directors and management. Experience in areas such as finance, technology, risk, community leadership, or customer experience can add value, while a commitment to ECCU’s mission matters most.

Board members must be ECCU members and meet the eligibility and election requirements in applicable law and ECCU’s bylaws. The position is voluntary and carries an ongoing commitment of time for meetings, preparation, training, and occasional additional activities.

What is the time commitment?

Our Board of Directors meets monthly, normally the last Wednesday of each month. Meetings normally last approximately 2 hours. In addition, Board members are assigned to a sub-committee and those sub-committees meet quarterly, for approximately 1 1/2 hours.

What is the term?

Our board members are elected to serve a 3 year term. Advisory directors are appointed for a 1 year term.

Board Member Selection Criteria

• Member of Energy Capital Credit Union in good standing
• Demonstrated leadership and decision-making capabilities (work place, credit union, and/or community)
• Must provide qualified references, if requested
• High level of commitment and interest in serving on Board

• Background and credit checks conducted on each applicant, with his/her approval