Freedom is based on democratic elections. In these contests, there will be winners and losers.
In the current Presidential election a major portion, 45% or more of voters, will be disappointed that their candidate did not win. One candidate has yet to even acknowledge the results of the 2020 contest!
Contestants and their supporters pour their hopes, resources and emotions into the campaign. It is hard to accept a loss. But recognizing that outcome is what is required if democracy is to prevail. And if one is still committed, prepare a Plan B.
An Example of Principle from SECU’s Board Election
The October board contest for the four open director seats at SECU (NC) was hard fought over issues raised two years earlier. It is a rare, but vital example, of the members’ governance role in a large financial cooperative.
SECU’s election process favored the incumbent directors who were renominted by their board peers. The credit union promoted their support on social media and in PR posts.
For the member-nominated candidates and their supporters it would be easy to cry “foul” and argue the process was weighted against them. For it was.
However that was not the stance posted by Jim Blaine, the voice of the opposition candidates, who heard these complaints.
On the day after the election results were announced, he posted the following blog:
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
2024 SECU Annual Meeting: The Members Make A Statement
… hard to miss that statement!
In case some of you missed it (and some of us wish we had!), the SECU membership voted by a 2 to 1 margin at the Annual Meeting yesterday to elect the four incumbent directors Bob Brinson, Mark Fleming, Stelfanie Williams, and McKinley Wooten
The election was hotly contested and @100,000 SECU members participated in the election and balloting process – a remarkable turnout. A healthy sign of member interest and participation! As you’ll note from the resulting flurry of blog commenters, there was much excitement and disappointment.
What you can’t see are the numerous deleted comments complaining about a rigged election and unfair tactics, etc, etc. I happen to believe the board election process was fair – period!
We all need to “get over” the whine that if our views don’t prevail, that something underhanded was done – not so. And, that doesn’t apply to this election only, if you know what I mean.
Now, if some of you suspect that my views haven’t changed on the key issues, then we understand each other well. The reports given at the Annual Meeting provided some interesting information which we will analyze over the next few days. That review may help create a “baseline” of financial facts, against which to measure the progress of SECU, as it moves on into the future.
😎 Personally, congratulations to the new directors and – as always – I wish State Employees’ Credit Union and its staff well!
The Members Win This Election
Democracy works when losers recognize the results. The next step if you believe your point of view and the election was somehow flawed is straight forward.
The corrective if one believes an outcome is not in their interest, is to practice more democracy. Get back to your feet and ready to run the race again.
The annual election of directors is a critical process that transforms members into owners. It is a “habit to be practiced” if credit unions are to fulfill their unique role in America’s financial system.
In a political or financial democracy, contested elections are the foundation for all our freedoms. Both winning and losing parties must support the outcome-period, as Blaine affirms. Then everyone wins.