Gesa in the Community —

Join our Board of Directors

The board of directors represents Gesa’s membership and sets the policy, strategic directions and goals for the organization. It’s the board’s charge to keep the member’s interests at the forefront and ensure the financial soundness of the credit union. Nothing is more important to the health and sustainability of our financial organization than getting highly qualified and enthusiastic members to serve on the board. Our board has the opportunity to change thousands of peoples’ lives for the better, each and every day. Please join us!

Jessica Schneider, M.D.

Board Member

“I find great satisfaction in this role as a Gesa board member.”

Linda Cowan

Board Member

“Serving on the Gesa board is a fulfilling way to give back to my community, which is at the heart of the Credit Union’s Mission.”

Martin Valadez Torres

Board Member

“It has been an honor to serve as a board member for Gesa for 10 years.”

Geoff Griebel

Board Member

“It’s an incredible privilege to serve on the Gesa board and empower our local communities.”

Become a Gesa Associate Board Member:

Eligibility

To be eligible, a member must:

Pass a background check
Be a current Gesa member in good standing
Have been a Gesa member for a minimum of two consecutive years
Not be a Gesa employee (or subsidiaries) presently or for the past five years

Application Process

Eligible members wanting to be considered for nomination may apply through the online application below, including a letter of interest and resume containing career background, education, relevant activities (e.g., participation on other boards) and community service.

Term Limits:

ABMs serve a one (1) year term, and may be reappointed to serve additional consecutive one (1) year terms with the aim of no more than four (4) years served.
After one (1) satisfactory year as an ABM, the member may be nominated for a position as a board director (BD) provided a recommendation is put forth by the Board Development Committee (BDC).
BDs are elected for three (3) year terms.

Approval

The board approves the appointment of ABMs, and the board presents selected BD nominees to the membership for election.

Qualifications and Characteristics

Candidates for ABM and BD positions shall be recruited with the intent of satisfying the following characteristics:

Willingness to learn and apply the policy governance model used by the board.
Possesses adequate financial skills and knowledge.
Commitment to credit union philosophy and movement.
Acceptance of the demands and responsibilities of board membership and/or the Associate Board Member Program, whichever is relevant.
Has relevant professional background and experience.
Ability and willingness to think and decide strategically and with a long-term vision, rather than day-to-day operational details.
Ability and willingness to think in terms of the big picture.
Interest in and capability to discuss the values underlying the actions taken in the organization, and to govern through the broader formulations of these values.
Commitment and a willingness to take on additional board functions, such as off-site board sessions, special committee assignments, and attending off-site training conferences.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Willingness to work as a team.
Commitment to linking with the membership. Understanding that the board acts on behalf of a diverse membership; willing to actively seek out and understand the wants and financial needs of the membership.
Willingness and commitment to honor board decisions, regardless of the director’s personal position on the issues, (i.e., one voice concept).
Ability and willingness to participate assertively in deliberation, while respecting the opinions of others.
Meet the mandatory criteria for becoming a director as outlined in the bylaws.
Commitment not to make judgments in the absence of previously stated criteria.

Duties

This uncompensated/volunteer role includes

Representing members in the strategic direction of the credit union
Participating in once-a-month Board meetings
Participating in the annual strategic planning session
Participating on Board committees as assigned
Participating in budget and strategic planning discussions
Taking on tasks as assigned
Reviewing and understanding Board policies
Learning about and advocating for the Credit Union movement
And more!

Responsibilities

Advise and Coach (CEO)
Primarily in areas related to strategic planning, emerging risks/opportunities, governance practices, current management/good business practices, ownership linkage, local economic environment/community activities, CEO performance and leadership/management of the CU. The board does not advise and coach in the technical areas of operating the credit union, but may provide input and feedback for consideration.
Oversight (risk based, high level and strategic)
The oversight the board provides should primarily be risk based, high level and strategic in nature (i.e. the board does not normally get involved in oversight of minor issues/events/risks or detailed CU operations). Ensure the goals are being met. Maintain a future focused approach.
Focus on Critical Risks
The primary use of the board’s time will be focused on the highest and most critical risks and issues. The seven risks identified by the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) are:
1. Credit
2. Interest rates
3. Liquidity
4. Transaction
5. Compliance
6. Strategic
7. Reputation
Implications of Organizational Issues on the “Big Picture”

The board should generally be aware of turnover ratios, key management openings, adequacy of staff morale/culture, adequacy of the employee concerns program, human resource philosophies and practices, significant changes in compensation and benefits, organizational structure, and key position responsibilities, etc. The board should assess the impact of these organizational issues on the “big picture”. Focus on the future and ownership linkage.
The board should spend considerable time on strategic planning, identifying emerging risks and opportunities, ownership linkage meetings with members, staying abreast of current events in the CU industry/economy/volunteer practices, and periodically reviewing the goals and board policies for their continued relevance.
Ensure input from ownership linkage meetings is documented and discussed. Check ownership input against current goals to ensure goals reflect members’ wants and needs.

Download Gesa Associate Board Member as a PDF

Interested in joining the board?

The Gesa board aims to represent the diverse backgrounds, professional experiences, and demographics of its broader membership.

Please submit your information, letter of interest (LOI), resume or CV and responses to the questions below.

First Name

Last Name

1. What skill set, life experiences, and community and professional perspectives will you bring to the Gesa board?

2. How do you aim to serve your community (either where you live or a community of people you interact with) and what's your philosophy of community service?

3. What drives you to be a member of a credit union where people help people, and why do you want to be more involved in Gesa and its mission and philosophy?

Letter of Interest

Resume or CV

Please allow between 10-14 business days for us to review and respond to your application.

Questions

[email protected]

More information

Board Member Policy

Governance

Gesa Credit Union is an equal opportunity employer and, as such, affirms in policy and practice to recruit, hire, train, and promote, in all job classifications, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. Gesa Credit Union will not discriminate against persons because of their disability, including disabled veterans, and will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of qualified employees and applicants with disabilities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Standards

Notes & Fees Glossary

Search for disclosures

	Disclaimer
SmartPlus Checking	[APY] Minimum opening balance of $25 required if the account is opened online. In order to earn APY and receive unlimited domestic ATM fee refunds, you must meet the following requirements during each monthly qualifying period: provide and maintain valid email address, apply for and use your Visa debit card to make 15 debit card transactions that post and settle to your account, have at least one direct deposit of $200 or more post to your account, and enroll to receive eStatements. If the requirements are not met during the monthly qualifying period, the “non-qualifying” 0.01% APY will apply to the entire balance. Dividends on a SmartPlus Checking account will be compounded and credited to a member’s account each month. Dividends are calculated using the daily balance method. Qualifying account balances must meet minimum requirements. Rate may change after the account is opened. The qualifying period begins with the first day of the calendar month and ends on the last day of the calendar month at 6:00 P.M. Pacific Time. ATM fees of $4.99 or less will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $4.99 per individual transaction. No monthly fees and no minimum balance required to open or maintain account unless opened online. Fees could reduce earnings on the account. Limit of one SmartPlus Checking account per member. APY is accurate as of , the last dividend declaration date.	A7KD4W9LQXZT
Smart Checking	*There is a minimum opening balance requirement of $25.00 if the account is opened online. Regular users of Gesa’s electronic services may want to consider SmartPlus Checking for additional benefits. [Courtesy Pay]	M3VY82CNRLKP
Student Checking	[APY] Dividends on Student Checking Accounts are calculated using the daily balance method and will be credited to the member’s account every month. Rate may change after the account is opened. If you close your account before dividends are paid, you will not receive the accrued dividends. The minimum balance to open an account is $5.00, the par value of a share. Courtesy Pay is not offered on Student Checking Accounts. Only electronic transactions such as debit card or ACH transactions are permitted. Fees could reduce earnings on the accounts.	JXZ7V5MWLQ92
Smartplus Savings	[APY] In order to earn a high dividend rate, you must meet the following requirements during the qualifying monthly period: a) provide and maintain a valid email address; and b) be enrolled to receive e-statements. If the requirements are not met during the monthly qualifying period, the “non-qualifying” 0.01% APY would apply to the entire balance. Dividends on an SmartPlus Savings Account will be compounded and credited to a member’s account each month. Dividends are calculated using the daily balance method. Qualifying account balances must meet minimum requirements. Rate may change after the account is opened. The qualifying period begins with the first day of the calendar month and ends on the last day of the calendar month at 6:00 P.M. Pacific Time. No monthly fees and no minimum balance required to maintain account. Minimum opening deposit of $5. Fees could reduce earnings. Limited to one SmartPlus Savings account per member.	P9T6QF2XJBLC
Smart Savings	[APY] Dividends on Smart Savings are calculated using the daily balance method and are paid monthly. Rate may change after the account is opened. No monthly fees and no minimum balance required to maintain account. Minimum opening deposit of $5. Fees could reduce earnings on the account.	Y4MKZ3WVTPQ8
High-Yield Savings	[APY] Dividends on the High Yield Savings account are calculated using the daily balance method and are paid monthly. No monthly fees and no minimum balance required to maintain account. Minimum opening deposit of $5. Fees could reduce earnings.	NDLXQ98R5VTE
Money Market	[APY] Dividends for the Money Market Account are calculated using the daily balance method which applies a daily periodic rate to the balance in the account each day. You must maintain a minimum daily balance of $2,500.00 in your account each day to obtain the disclosed annual percentage yield. The minimum balance required to open this account is $2,500.00. There is a minimum average daily balance of $2,500.00 required to avoid a service fee for the calendar month. If the minimum average daily balance requirement is not met, you will be charged a service fee as stated in the Consumer Fee Schedule. New rates are set on the first of each month; rate may change after the account is opened. Fees could reduce earnings on the account.	GQ37ZVKY1WLM
Fixed Certificate	[APY] A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Fees may reduce earnings. The minimum balance to open the certificate is stated in the chart. Early withdrawal penalties apply (a penalty may be imposed for withdrawals before maturity): If your account has an original maturity (term) of less than 12-months: The penalty will equal 90 days interest on the amount withdrawn subject to penalty. If your account has an original maturity (term) of 12-months or more – up to, but less than 36-months: The penalty will equal 180 days interest on the amount withdrawn subject to penalty. If your account has an original maturity of 36-months or more – up to, but less than 48-months: The penalty will equal 365 days interest on the amount withdrawn subject to penalty. If your account has an original maturity of 48-months or greater: The penalty will equal 540 days interest on the amount withdrawn subject to penalty. In certain circumstances such as the death or incompetence of an owner of this account, the law permits, or in some cases requires, the waiver of the early withdrawal penalty. For any account which earns an interest rate that may vary during the term such as a bump certificate, the interest rate we will use to calculate this early withdrawal penalty will be the interest rate in effect at the time of the withdrawal. You may make withdrawals of principal from your account before maturity. In making such withdrawals, your balance may not fall below the minimum or we will close your account. Principal withdrawn before maturity is included in the amount subject to early withdrawal penalty. You can withdraw interest only on the crediting dates without penalty. A $500 minimum deposit is required for consumer, IRA, and business certiﬁcates. Early withdrawal penalties may apply and may reduce earnings. Certiﬁcate rate is for a limited time only and could end at any time. Stated rate as of the first day of the month.	H85PLKJXZ2QM
Bump Certificate	[APY] A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Fees may reduce earnings. The minimum balance to open the certificate is stated in the chart. The Certificate owner must contact Gesa Credit Union to request the one-time rate increase on Bump Certificate accounts. The rate on the Bump Certificate will be changed on the following business day of the date Gesa Credit Union receives the request. The bump option can only be exercised once during the term of the Certificate and does not increase the term of the certificate. The new interest will not be applied retroactively. The new interest rate will be the interest rate we are then offering on regular certificates (non- bump rate certificates) that have the same term and minimum balance. Bump Certificates are only available for consumer and IRA Certificates. Early withdrawal penalties will apply. Minimum deposit balance must be maintained to earn APY and fees may reduce earnings on the account. Special offer for a limited time only.	RXNQ72MLYV9C

Gesa in the Community —

Join our Board of Directors

Jessica Schneider, M.D.

Linda Cowan

Martin Valadez Torres

Geoff Griebel

Become a Gesa Associate Board Member:

Interested in joining the board?

Getting started is easy!

Already a member?

Notes & Fees Glossary

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