TUSTIN, Calif.–One person who has been agitating for change on the board of directors of SchoolsFirst FCU, arguing it isn’t democratically elected and doesn’t represent the membership, has now posted a new item on the VoiceofOC.org blog saying they aren’t volunteers, either.
In the new post, Dr. Barry Resnick, a 40-year-plus member of SchoolsFirst, wrote, “SchoolsFirst, like all federal credit unions is a non-profit, tax exempt, and member owned credit union. Its board members have a fiduciary responsibility to its members. Transparency should be even more important for a volunteer of a credit union like SchoolsFirst that serves 1.2 million members overseeing $27 billion of their funds. Members should know how their deposits are being used.”
SchoolsFirst told CUToday.info it was declining to comment on the post.
Resnick said a review of two board members’ disclosure forms shows numerous payments and perks have been provided. The records were available because the two are public employees and are required to file a Statement of Economic Interest (700 Form) every year of their employment.
Gift Cards, Travel
That includes John Didion, who previously served in an executive position with the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD).
Resnick said his review of three Decembers’ worth of Didion’s 700 forms shows he received a total of $1,050 in gift cards. “
“During one holiday season he received a pair of cufflinks and champagne valued at $400 courtesy of SchoolsFirst,” Resnick wrote. “Wine, a decanter, a picnic set, headphones and wireless speakers were also reported as gifts received from SchoolsFirst.”
In addition, Resnick wrote, “Mr. Didion (was reimbursed) for attending conferences as far away as Eastern Europe. In the period reviewed, he was reimbursed $49,450.65 for conference attendance.”
Resnick said the records did not disclose the type of conference, but the most Didion was reimbursed for one meeting was $10,292 for a single conference.
In addition, Resnick posted that Didion was also reimbursed $6,173 for a World Council of Credit Unions’ meeting in Gdansk, Poland.
“The conference included sightseeing tours for participants and companions and advertised to ‘…leave attendees in awe of the beauty and historical significance of Gdańsk’,” Resnick wrote, quoting WOCCU promotional materials.
Not Actually Elected
Resnick further reported his review found Didion reported a total of $19,161.88 for “mileage, meeting and technology,” with $3,500 in just one year alone.
Touching on a point he has stressed in his earlier blog postings, Resnick wrote that Didion is beginning his 22nd year on the SchoolsFirst board with a new three-year term.
“Once again, the 1.2 million members were not provided the opportunity to vote because Mr. Didion was ‘reappointed’ by his fellow board members as their only nominee,” he wrote.
Other Board Member Compensation
Resnick said he also reviewed the 700 forms submitted by board member Renee Hendrick, who works with the Orange County Department of Education.
“Appointed without an election to the SchoolsFirst board in 2015, Ms. Hendrick received over $15,000 in a four-year period for conference travel, continuing education, reimbursement for her Internet service provider and a stay at the exclusive Torrey Pines resort in La Jolla,” Resnick said. “Like Mr. Didion, she was rewarded during the holidays and received a $300 gift card courtesy of SchoolsFirst in her second year as a board member.
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