An "illiberal democracy"?
The SECU Nominating Committee has announced the slate for 2025. Chris Ayers, Nneamaka "Amaka" Flynn, Ben McLawhorn, Thomas Parrish. Two incumbents are stepping down.
Mr. McLawhorn and Mr. Ayers (famous when chair in 2023 for the "no formal proposal proposal") are incumbents. Mr. Parrish is a former board member, "un-elected" in 2023 and Ms. Flynn is a long-time advisory board member.
In contrast to the absence of direct notice of changes in this year's election procedures, the candidates were announced broadly by email to the SECU membership.
The email stated: "The Nominating Committee is encouraged by the level of candidate engagement and participation in this year’s election."
Other than these four nominees, recruited by the SECU Board, would you like to guess how many other members - out of 2.8 million SECU members - submitted nomination packages to the Committee?
Commenters have asked: 1) "Can a member self-nominate now?" No, a candidate must apply through the nominating committee. This was challenged in 2023 as not in accordance with the SECU bylaws; the Administrator of Credit Unions said the Board may do as it pleases; 2) "There wasn't proper notice of election procedure changes." This was challenged in 2025; the Administrator of Credit Unions said the Board may do as it pleases.
The Nominating Committee did note: "As members, your active participation in our democratic process is crucial to SECU's success."
Should be a memorable Annual Membership Meeting!
the new/new democracy in action ...
ReplyDeleteSo these are the only options? Pretty pathetic that we get stuck with someone that was recently voted off the board if so.
ReplyDelete