University Credit Union (UCU) is committed to selecting volunteers who have demonstrated leadership ability, who are competent in the areas required to effectively oversee a credit union, and who demonstrate the ethical values necessary for proper stewardship of UCU assets.

This application is designed to facilitate the nomination process for candidates for the UCU Board of Directors, Supervisory Committee, and Advisory Council. It is important to read everything before completing the Statement of Interest and Application for Nomination. This will enable you to fully understand the requirements and expectations for the volunteer opportunities available at UCU.

Please submit requested information in the Application for Nomination that pertains to you so that the Nominating Committee can properly evaluate your experience as it relates to your ability to perform the duties of a UCU volunteer.

Once completed, please submit the online form and our Nominating Committee will receive a notification that a new application is available for review. If you prefer, you may download a copy of the application here and submit it via secure email as an attachment to the Nominating Committee.

UCU's Board of Directors appreciate your interest in serving as a volunteer and look forward to the possibility of working with you.

If you have any questions, please contact the Nominating Committee Chair by sending a secured email to nominatingchair@ucu.org

UCU is a not-for-profit financial institution for employees, students, alumni, and families of the finest universities in the United States of America. UCU was established in 1951 by UCLA employees, for UCLA employees. The credit union’s field of membership has grown extensively over the years, to include all 10 University of California campuses, member universities of the West Coast Conference, The Big West, as well as other top universities.

  
Core Purpose 
To provide everyone in the University Community with a financial advantage.

  
Core Values 
C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S.

Courageous and Fearless

Honest and Open

All In

Make a Difference

Prescriptive and Predictive

Inspire Innovation

Ownership Mindset

Never Stop Learning

Seize Opportunities

Statement of Social Responsibility 
It is UCU’s intent to support human involvement and/or invest financial resources in selected charitable, community, and civic organizations whose goals and objectives are consistent with the credit union philosophy of improving credit union members’ well-being, advocating and promoting the credit union ideal of cooperative self-help, and bringing about human and social development within our community.

In order to promote the highest standards of performance and practice and to define acceptable and unacceptable behavior in representing our members, the UCU Board of Directors has adopted the following Code of Ethics. This code is intended to apply to all UCU volunteers and senior management.

In adhering to this code of ethics we agree to:

• Behave morally by avoiding undue harm to others, by contributing to societal and human well-being, and by taking action that is fair and non-discriminatory.
• Comply with the letter and intent of applicable laws and regulations established by the governing bodies of our industry.
• Set trust as our most valuable asset and honesty as the principal factor in ensuring that it is maintained.
• Honor confidentiality.
• Avoid any actual or appearance of conflict of interest by placing the interests of our fellow members in advance of our own.
• Honor our fiduciary responsibility by not allowing our personal beliefs or interests to interfere with the fair representation of the aims and interests of our institution and its members.
• Follow a policy of equal opportunity that values diversity and support its execution throughout all aspects of the credit union.
• Uphold and promote the principles of this code, and to treat violations of it as inconsistent with the privilege of holding a position of leadership within UCU.

The Board of Directors, Supervisory Committee and Advisory Council aspire to the highest level of ethical conduct in their work. UCU encourages a culture of transparency in which such individuals fully and promptly disclose all affiliations, interests, and gifts of which they are aware that might present a conflict relating to their credit union duties.

It is the policy of UCU to require that any interested party shall be subject to this conflict of interest policy in order to maintain full disclosure of any outside interest or financial activity, which may affect their credit union duties.

Section 1: Interested Party

Any member (or potential member) of the Board of Directors, the Supervisory Committee, or Advisory Council who has a financial interest in a transaction or agreement with UCU, participates on any board of any competing financial entity, or is employed by any competing financial entity is an interested party, and is subject to this policy.

Section 2: Financial Interest

A person has a financial interest in a transaction or agreement if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business, family, or investment:

1. An ownership, investment, or fiduciary interest in any entity with which UCU transacts business, or
2. A compensation agreement with UCU or with any entity or individual with whom UCU has a transaction or agreement, or
3. A potential ownership, investment, or fiduciary interest in, or compensation agreement with, any entity or individual with which UCU has or is negotiating a transaction or agreement, or
4. An ownership, investment, fiduciary interest, compensation agreement, or potential ownership or investment interest or compensation agreement, with any entity or individual that is a competitor of an entity or individual with which UCU has or is negotiating a transaction or agreement, or
5. Employment status with any competing financial entity of UCU, or
6. Active status on any committee or board of any financial entity that is in competition with UCU.

Any candidate for a volunteer position must be a member of University Credit Union in good standing for a minimum of six months, per Section I; have a good understanding of UCU’s mission and how it serves its members, demonstrate an understanding of Credit Union philosophy and be competent in at least (3) of the skills, knowledge and abilities per Section II; be willing to participate in training and continuing education, and be willing to commit the time necessary to fulfill the obligations of the volunteer position, per Section III. 

Understanding the Credit Union Philosophy requires the ability to articulate in general terms the difference between Credit Unions and other financial institutions. 

SECTION I – MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT

Member in Good Standing: Prospective Board/Supervisory Committee/Advisory Council members shall have no delinquencies, penalties or other negative account irregularities for at least six months. 

SECTION II – COMPETENCIES

Leadership Ability: Experience guiding, directing or influencing the activities of groups in various settings, such as business, service or volunteer organizations. 

Management Experience: Experience managing the systems and/or operations of organizational units in a position that is accountable for achieving strategic results. 

Understanding of Basic Financial Concepts: Professional experience in banking, financial management, financial reporting or budgeting. 

Strategic Planning Experience: Experience developing and implementing strategic plans for business, service or volunteer organizations. 

Entrepreneurial Perspective/Appreciation of Marketing and Public Relations Concepts: Experience in marketing and public relations. Demonstrated ability to create opportunities which: 

1. Generate or increase revenue, 
2. Expand service programs, or
3. Advance organizational agendas. 

Collaborative/Cooperative Values & Networking Skills: 

1. Ability to establish, nurture and maintain positive professional relationships. 
2. Ability to communicate concepts and ideas clearly and concisely. 
3. Experience in networking and working collaboratively in a professional, service or other organization. 

Customer Service Experience: Experience working with the general public and/or providing service to internal or external constituents in professional, service or other organization. 

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Experience interacting successfully with a diverse stakeholder base, sensitivity to the needs of ensuring equity and diversity across socioeconomic and marginalized groups, in a professional service or volunteer organization. 

Ability to Engage/Sense of Responsibility: Demonstrated speaking, listening and providing feedback abilities within a peer group.  Experienced making thoughtful, responsible business or personal decisions which have consequences impacting many people. 

Integrity/Ethical Values: Demonstrated adherence to business practices and personal conduct standards that conforms to the highest principles of honest and ethical behavior.  Willingness to embrace the ideals articulated in UCU’s Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest Policy. 

Community Service Involvement: 

1. Demonstrated community involvement on and off campus beyond one’s teaching, research and work responsibilities.  
2. Engagement in lending assistance and/or reaching out for the betterment of others. 
3. Exhibited thoughtfulness and concern for others. 

SECTION III – TIME COMMITMENT

Most Volunteer activities will occur during the normal workday. Monthly Board of Director meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 11:00 a.m. Meetings are from 1 ½ to 2 hours in duration. Monthly Supervisory Committee meetings are held on the third Friday of each month at 8:30 a.m.

Board of Directors

• Attend monthly Board of Directors meeting. (2 hours duration, plus 1 hour to review materials) Serve on at least one standing committee, each requiring at a minimum one meeting per year (1½ hours per meeting, plus 1 hour preparation).
• Participate in annual orientation/refresher session which is usually held in the Spring (2-4 hours duration).
• Participate in annual all-day Strategic Planning usually held in first week of September (6 to 8 hours duration, plus 6 hours preparation).
• Participate in continuing education obtained through participation at regional or national Credit Union conferences or workshops every year (2 to 3 days duration), enrollment in Volunteer Achievement Program courses (home study 4 to 6 hours per course) and reading Credit Union and banking industry publications (2 hours per month).
• Attend Annual Meeting held in March (1-2 hours).

Supervisory Committee

• Attend monthly Board of Directors meeting (2 hours duration, plus 1 hour preparation). Attendance is strongly encouraged, but not required.
• Participate in annual orientation -refresher session, which is usually held in Spring. (2-4 hours duration).
• Attend monthly Supervisory Committee meetings (1½ hours per meeting, plus 2 hours preparation).
• Participate in annual all-day strategic planning usually held in first week of September (6 to 8 hours duration, plus 6 hours preparation).
• Participate in continuing education on Credit Union movement obtained through participation at regional or national Credit Union conferences or workshops every year (2 to 3 days duration), enrollment in Volunteer Achievement Program courses (home study 4 to 6 hours per course) and reading Credit Union and banking industry publication (2 hours per month).
• Attend Annual Meeting held in March (1-2 hours).

Advisory Council

• Attend quarterly Advisory Council meetings (1 hour duration, plus 1 hour preparation).
• Participate in annual orientation/refresher session, which is usually held in Spring (1 hour duration).
• Participate in at least 2 UCU approved community engagement events to promote advocacy (4 to 6 hours).
• Participate in continuing education obtained through participation at regional or national Credit Union conferences or workshops every year (2 to 3 days duration), enrollment in Volunteer Achievement Program courses (home study 4 to 6 hours per course) and reading Credit Union and banking industry publication. (2 hours per month).
• Attend Annual Meeting held in March (1-2 hours).

The Board of Directors serves as the governing body of University Credit Union (UCU), responsible for setting strategic direction, ensuring regulatory compliance, and safeguarding the financial health of the organization.
 

Key Responsibilities:

• Act in the best interest of the membership
• Uphold fiduciary responsibilities and ethical standards
• Contribute to long-term planning and policy development 
• Attend regular board meetings and actively participate in committee work 
• Review financial reports and monitor organizational performance
• Stay informed on industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging risks
   

Board members are expected to maintain transparency, ensure accountability, and foster trust among membership while advancing the credit union’s core purpose and values. 

Each Board Director serves a three-year term. Serving on the Board offers a unique opportunity to share the future of UCU and ensure its continued success for all members.

The Supervisory Committee is an independent body, composed of three volunteers elected by the membership to serve as the internal auditor and compliance monitor of UCU. Its primary role is to protect member assets and ensure integrity of the credit union’s operations.
 

Key Responsibilities:
 

• Ensure accurate, honest, and complete recordkeeping
• Verify compliance with applicable law, regulations, and internal policies 
• Confirm the presence and effectiveness of internal controls 
• Prevent fraud, conflicts of interest, and self-dealing
   

Due to the nature of their oversight role, committee members must remain objective and free from any conflicts of interest that could impair their independence.
 

Each Supervisory Committee member serves a three-year term. Serving on the Supervisory Committee is a vital opportunity to uphold the integrity and trustworthiness of UCU’s operations.

The Advisory Council strengthens the connection between the Board of Directors and the broader membership, including both current members and university communities as well as prospective members and communities. 
 

Key Responsibilities:
 

• Enhance engagement with current and potential members
• Support outreach to diverse and geographically remote communities
• Advocate for credit unions in response to legislative and regulatory developments
   

Each Advisory Council member serves a one-year term. Members of the Advisory Council serve as ambassadors for UCU’s core purpose and values, helping to expand its reach and influence within the credit union movemen