By Ray Birch
SANTA ANA, Calif.–SchoolsFirst Credit Union may be considering making changes to its board after it was challenged over its diversity, although the credit union has declined to comment beyond what it previously told CUToday.info about the issue.
Dr. Fred Calhoun, a 40-year member of the credit union and president of the Orange County, Calif., branch of the NAACP, told CUToday.info he believes changes are coming.
Calhoun made that statement after having a second discussion with SchoolsFirst CEO Bill Cheney late last month. Calhoun first spoke with Cheney in early August.
Calhoun told CUToday.info he is preparing to send over eight names of qualified board candidates of color, hoping the $21.6-billion credit union will replace as much as half of its 13-member board with individuals Calhoun said better represent the CU’s membership.
‘Exclusive Private Club’
As CUToday.info reported, Calhoun initially asked SchoolsFirst to make changes to its board of directors and its board election processes following publication of an opinion piece on a local news and community website claiming the CU’s board is an “exclusive private club” and has made it “nearly impossible for anyone to serve.”
The article, authored by Dr. Barry Resnick, a long-time member of SchoolsFirst FCU, further alleged the $21.6-billion CU’s board lacks any diversity, especially for a CU of its size.
“I told them I want that place integrated because right now, with their board, they are pretty much out of sync with the rest of society,” Calhoun said, referring to his second phone meeting with Cheney, in which SchoolsFirst Board Chair Andy Plumley also participated.
CU Declines Comment
Dr. Fred Calhoun
SchoolsFirst and Cheney declined two requests for comment related to any changes the board may make, saying in an emailed response, “At this point, it’s premature to discuss any potential changes to our board.”
Cheney, during his August conversation with Calhoun, said any changes in the board would need to take place as the result of normal board elections, the results of which would be shared in May 2021. Calhoun proposed having some of the current members step down followed by a special election prior to May.
In an August interview with CUToday.info, Cheney said it was “possible” the credit union would make board changes before May, but that currently no board positions were open.
Calhoun said his second phone call with Cheney “went well.”
“Mr. Cheney and the board chairman were cordial to me,” he said. “Mr. Cheney did tell me that the credit union was integrated, talking about other areas than the board, such as administration. But I told him that while that is good, I am focused on the board.”
Unwelcome in County
Calhoun also spoke with Cheney about how he believes Orange County in California, particularly in years past, has never truly accepted people of diverse backgrounds.
“Orange County police, years ago, would escort (persons of color) out of Orange County, asking why they were there,” Calhoun said.
Calhoun told CUToday.info he hopes SchoolsFirst acts soon to replace board members with some of the qualified candidates of color he is providing to the credit union.
“I'm just hoping that something will come of this and very soon because I don't like to mess around with these things too long,” said Calhoun. “And if changes don’t happen…we will have to be a little more insistent.”