A Direct Line Blog

This blog was originally published in June 2017, but the topic continues to be relevant and timely.

By Donya Parrish, MCU VP- Risk Management

Looking for a way to improve your credit union’s long-term success? According to an article by ASAE, the center for association leadership, diversity at the board level can be a key to your organization’s success.

The article notes “diversity has a positive impact on organizational health and flexibility. Associations in the study with a significant emphasis on diversity and inclusion share a high level of comfort with change, conflict, and empowerment of others.”

Diversity can take many forms. We often think of male or female or the color of one’s skin, but board diversity should also include age, career backgrounds, and more. After all, the community and consumers you serve certainly aren’t all the same age or from the same background.

According to the article, there can be another benefit… to your membership! They state, “Board diversity was the focus of the effort, but there was a positive side effect: The organization also successfully increased staff and membership diversity and inclusion. The cultural change at the leadership level led to change throughout the organization.”