Skip to main content

How to Spot a Board in Trouble: Tim Harington

This is not a comprehensive list. In fact, we’d like to hear from others the things that they’ve seen or what they look for. We’re sure our smart readership has some things to add. This is also not a checklist. We’re not suggesting that once you’ve identified all eight of these you’ve found your troubled board. (Notice that some of these are countervailing.) But these are things that show up regularly and have been present when dealing with troubles.
How to Spot a Board in Trouble, Red Flags
How to Spot a Board in Trouble
  1. No turnover on the board – Why? Lack of desire for change? Lack of recruiting? Difficulty in recruiting? Contentment with the status quo?
  2. Heavy turnover on the board – Again, why?
  3. No diversity on the board – this means you really don’t represent the demographics of your membership. (We doubt your field of membership is made up exclusively of 67-year-old white dudes.)
  4. The CEO attends all committee meetings – Is this the board’s overreliance on the CEO? Or is this the CEO's inability to let go of control?
  5. No executive sessions – This suggests that there is a lack of trust somewhere (or a lack of understanding of executive sessions). See our blog post about this topic.
  6. Same chair for the last 20+ years – This is a red flag about resistance to change. (This could be a chair that has been begging for years for someone else to take the helm, which is also a red flag.)
  7. Four CEOs in the last five years – Not long ago we talked about the “rebound” CEO, which means it’s very possible to have had three CEOs in the last five years and that’s only a bump in the road and not a red flag. But the minute you reach the number “four” this is a giant red flag.
  8. All of the board members are from the single SEG sponsor (even though the CU has had a community charter for years). Do we have to explain this one? See #6.
How to Spot a Board in Crisis
How to Spot a Board in Crisis
Some of you are going to disagree. We’re fine with that. 

Some of you are going to point out a piece of anecdotal evidence that contradicts what we’ve said above. We’re also fine with that, and we still strongly make our claim despite your story.

Let’s duke it out and talk about it.

Yes. Context is everything. These are red flags that cause us to explore and ask more questions.

 Team Resources

7049 E. Tanque Verde Rd., PMB 136
Tucson, AZ 85715

Phone: 520.290.5721
Fax: 520.290.8378
Cell: 520.906.7501





Comments

Post a Comment

Please no profanity or political comments.

Popular posts from this blog

Cutting Through The Stablecoin Noise—What Credit Unions Actually Need To Know Now

By Ray Birch DOVER, Del.—By any measure, stablecoins have quickly become one of the most talked-about—and least understood—topics in credit union boardrooms. The pressure to “do something” is building, fueled by headlines, fintech momentum and a growing fear of being left behind. But according to InvestiFi CEO Kian Sarreshteh, that urgency may be misplaced. “There’s a lot of FOMO right now,” Sarreshteh said. “If I don’t adopt a stablecoin solution this year, I’m going to be left behind. I would argue pretty strongly that’s very far from the truth.” Instead of rushing to sign up for a Stablecoin pilot, Sarreshteh said credit unions should begin with a more fundamental question: what problem are you actually trying to solve? While stablecoins are often discussed as a potential challenger to traditional payment rails dominated by Visa and Mastercard, he believes that kind of mass-market disruption remains years away—especially in the U.S., where consumers already have fast, convenient opt...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Senate Banking To Vote Thursday On Landmark Digital Assets Bill

“NCOFCU appreciates the Senate Banking Committee’s continued work during next week’s markup hearing to establish a clear and responsible regulatory framework for digital assets,” said the National Council of Fire Fighter Credit Unions (NCOFCU) leadership. “As lawmakers consider this legislation, it is essential that first responder credit unions are recognized as a vital part of the financial services ecosystem and are not overlooked in the evolving digital asset landscape. Credit unions serving police, fire, EMS, and other emergency personnel must have equitable access to innovation, regulatory clarity, and the tools necessary to continue supporting the financial readiness and resilience of America’s first responders.” Grant Sheehan CEO WASHINGTON—The Senate Banking Committee will vote on the long-awaited CLARITY Act this Thursday, Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC) announced Friday. Tim Scott The announcement marks a potentially major step forward for legislation that would establis...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

The First Social Network

Credit Unions: The Original Social Network Long before likes, follows, shares, and friend requests, people built networks another way: They showed up for each other. That’s essentially how credit unions began. Not as financial corporations, but as human networks built on trust, shared experiences, and mutual support. In many ways, credit unions were the first true social networks. Before Technology Connected People, Communities Did Today’s social platforms promise connection. They help people share ideas, ask questions, organize communities, and support causes. But more than a century ago, credit unions were already doing something remarkably similar — only in person and with real financial stakes involved. Teachers gathered with teachers. Factory workers organized with coworkers. Church members helped fellow congregants. Military personnel supported military families. Firefighters stood beside fellow first responders. Police officers supported the communities and d...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Just Out! - NCUA Stablecoin Plan Opens Door To Credit Union-Backed Digital Dollar Issuers

ALEXANDRIA, Va.—A sweeping new NCUA proposal to implement the GENIUS Act could open the door for credit union-backed stablecoin issuance, but only through separately licensed subsidiaries operating under an extensive new federal regulatory framework that limits risks to the Share Insurance Fund. The 269-page supplemental proposed rule issued Friday lays out how “permitted payment stablecoin issuers” affiliated with federally insured credit unions would be supervised, examined and regulated by the NCUA, while also establishing rules covering reserves, liquidity, custody, operational risk, cybersecurity, anti-money laundering compliance and disclosure standards. The proposal supplements an earlier February 2026 proposal by the agency focused primarily on licensing and investments in stablecoin issuers. Federally insured credit unions themselves would still be prohibited from directly issuing payment stablecoins under the GENIUS Act. Instead, issuance would have to occur through a separa...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Meeting Portals - Why Choose MyBoardPacket.com

MyBoardPacket is known as the simplest, most secure, and affordable online board packet solution. A low monthly fee, with no setup fee, no annual contracts, free customer support and unlimited users! We use MyBoardPacket.com here at NCOFCU, and we love it! Exclusive discount of 25% for NCOFCU Members! Additional discounts are granted for small asset size credit unions! Why choose MyBoardPacket over other meeting portals? The Facts: MyBoardPacket was the first secure board portal on the market, starting in 2001. So easy to use that no training is required! However, for your peace of mind, you have unlimited support and training with your very own Trainer, which any Admin can schedule whenever needed. Unlimited users , committees, and meetings from anywhere! On MyBoardPacket everyone is on the same page . Month-to-month subscription – our customers are with MyBoardPacket because they love it, not because they are locked into a lengthy contract! MyBoar...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Visa, Mastercard Revisions Will Cost Merchants more Than $475 Million Annually, Economist Says

 NEW YORK—The two biggest U.S. card networks are preparing revisions to their interchange schedules that at least one research firm says will cost U.S. merchants an estimated $475 million in additional transaction fees. Though Visa Inc. and Mastercard Inc. have historically revised their rate schedules each April and October, “this April is particularly significant,” Callum Godwin, the Atlanta-based chief economist for CMSPI, a United Kingdom-based research firm, told Digital Transactions. The firm’s estimates indicate the changes in Visa’s rates will add up to a net $145 million in additional cost to acquirers. For Mastercard, the impact will net out to $330 million. The networks do not collect interchange. Merchant processors pay in...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

NCUA - How Many NCUA Staff are Leaving, & What Are They Taking With Them? Here are 3 Viewpoints

ALEXANDRIA, Va.–NCUA may have already reached its target of reducing staff by 20% as the Trump administration pressures regulatory agencies to reduce headcount, although the agency has not confirmed what several people said they are hearing. Thos same individuals have also expressed their concerns that a lot of “institutional memory” may be headed out the door. During a podcast hosted by Mark Treichel, who during his 33-year career worked his way up from examiner to executive director, John McKechnie, an advocate for credit unions on Capitol Hill who spent five years at NCUA as director of public and congressional affairs, and Geoff Bacino, who now leads an association management firm and who served on the NCUA board, shared what they have heard from inside NCUA regarding the staff reductions. Mark Treichel Updates & Board Meetings The NCUA board was to hear an update on that issue during its April board meeting, but after board members Todd Harper and Tanya Otsuka were fired by Pr...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

The Most Overlooked Growth Opportunity in First Responder Credit Unions

Credit unions spend enormous amounts of time, energy, and marketing dollars trying to acquire new members. But many institutions — especially sponsor-based first responder credit unions — are sitting on one of the most valuable growth opportunities already inside their existing membership base. The joint owner population. Every day, firefighters, police officers, EMTs, dispatchers, and other first responders join credit unions through sponsor relationships. During account opening, spouses or partners are often added as joint owners for convenience. They help manage the household finances. They use the debit card. They log into online banking. They interact with the credit union regularly. Yet in many cases, they never actually become full member-owners of the cooperative. They are connected to the institution — but not fully part of it. And that creates a major strategic opportunity. Why Joint Owner Conversion Matters For sponsor-based credit unions, converting joint owners into full m...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

OMNICOMMANDER Launches OMNIPLAY: Real-Time Digital Display Software Built for Financial Institutions

  SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL /  ACCESS Newswire  / May 29, 2025 /  OMNICOMMANDER, the industry leader in digital marketing solutions for financial institutions, is proud to announce the launch of its newest innovation,   OMNIPLAY , a game-changing digital display software that empowers banks and credit unions to take full control of their in-branch messaging. For years, financial institutions have struggled to manage content on their lobby TVs, relying on flash drives, tangled cords, and outdated software that was not designed for their industry. OMNIPLAY changes that forever. Designed exclusively for financial institutions, OMNIPLAY provides users with a secure and intuitive dashboard to manage and update content across all branch locations in real-time. From branded video and rate promotions to financial education and community announcements, institutions can now drag, drop, and go live with no tech expertise required. "We created OMNIPLAY to solve a real pain poin...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

'Victory is Elusive': CU Economist Agrees Fed Rate Cuts Questionable Following New CPI Report

04/10/2024 11:01 am WASHINGTON–A credit union economist has joined with other economists and analysts in forecasting a delay in any rate cuts by the Fed in 2024 following today’s inflation report. The newly released Consumer Price Index climbed 3.8% on an annual basis after stripping out food and fuel prices. That “core” index was stronger than the 3.7% increase economists expected, and unchanged from 3.8% in February.  Counting in food and fuel, the inflation measure climbed 3.5% in March from a year earlier, up from 3.2% in February and faster than what many had forecast.  "Victory in the Federal Reserve's inflation fight remains elusive with a stubbornly high headline consumer price index increase of 0.4% in March, matching February's disappointing result,” said America's Credit Unions VP-data and research, chief econom...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»