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My name is Marty, and I am CUES.

I’ve been a credit union board member for 35 years. I’m a retired toolmaker, having worked for 42.5 years in the automotive industry with Chrysler, General Motors and Ford.

When I was part of the working world, the credit union system gave me an outlet away from my regular work. It was easy for me to put in my time at the factory, and then give my time to the credit union. It was a constant learning experience.

CUES helped me maintain a balance between my regular job and my volunteer duties. I love to volunteer, and I’m fortunate that I had family support to back me when I was working full-time. You can’t be an effective volunteer without the support of your family.

I’ve been a CUES Director member since 1996, but before that I attended the CUES’ Directors Conference in the U.S. as often as I could.

I found CUES events promoted vision and forward-thinking. There wasn’t as much concern with “how” something would get accomplished or the road blocks involved, so participants came away enthusiastic and with a “can-do” attitude. It was refreshing to look at credit unions that way.

Earning my Certified Credit Union Director (CCD) designation through CUES was an unbelievable experience. I attended CUES’ Directors Leadership Institute at the London Business School (LBS) and CUES’ Advanced Leadership Institute at Harvard Business School (HBS). That was the topper, the ultimate; I’ll never forget the experience.

I’m proud of having my CCD. There are only a handful of Canadian directors who have the designation. It’s something that I promote all the time; it’s on my business card, and when I give presentations, I talk about it.

There’s a tendency when we’re directors to think locally—and of course you have to do that—but you also have to know what’s happening in the nation and the world, which really clicked with me when I attended LBS and HBS. When you’re a director, there has to be an awareness factor of the global picture, and an understanding of how things will affect us tomorrow.

I greatly value Credit Union Management™ magazine; I get it monthly and read it cover to cover. Every director should read it thoroughly—even the articles that pertain to management. As directors, we have to have an understanding of what they’re up against. We’re in charge of the future direction, but we have to be on the same page as management. We have to know why management recommends what they do. That’s what makes the magazine so valuable; it gives directors a way to gain an understanding of the entire picture.

I’m a big supporter of CUES and I tell people to join all the time.

My name is Marty, from Windsor Family Credit Union, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and I am CUES.