Reflecting on the Power of Cooperation 90 Years Later

On May 15th, 1936, The Wisconsin Credit Union League held our annual meeting in Madison – at the Lorainne Hotel, a building that locals pass every day just steps from the state capitol. 600 attendees sat together proud of collective impact made throughout the state in the past year. They heard from leaders of CUNA and CUNA Mutual Group.

And, by accounts at the time, they were on the verge of a destructive division. The Capital Times reported “Over 100 delegates, dividing into small and large credit union factions split upon the two questions and the credit unions of large representation were given half of what they asked.”

The large credit unions felt CUNA’s dues, 10 cents per member, were too high when the state league’s dues were just 3 centers per member.  Ultimately, they voted to lobby for 5 cents per member. CUNA officials in attendance wondered if that would mean immediate disaffiliation.

At the same meeting, debate spurred over whether representation should be proportional to membership and give large credit unions more votes than smaller ones, a proposal that ultimately failed. By his own account, CUNA Managing Director Roy Bergengren settled the disagreements and attendees were happy by the time dinner and dancing started.

90 years later, on May 14th, 2026, The Wisconsin Credit Union League held our annual meeting in Madison – five blocks from the Lorainne Hotel. 500 credit union leaders, sat together, proud of the critical impact they collectively made throughout the state over the past year. They heard from leaders at America's Credit Unions and TruStage.

There have been challenges big and small along the way. Through it all, our credit unions and their service to Wisconsin has strengthened – perhaps due in large part to our predecessors who, in 1936, decided to choose the path of unity, partnership, trust, and mutual success.

It’s hard to say if our forefathers expected the same organizations to share a stage in Madison 90 years later. Maybe they crossed their fingers and hoped that their hard work would be enough and their impact would be long lasting.

Then, like individual and intertwined vines rooted here in Wisconsin, our credit unions, The League, America’s Credit Unions, and TruStage each thrived. And together, we are stronger and reach further in serving members, communities and in our shared work to advance financial well-being for all.

I am thankful for the sincere partnership and inspiring leadership of Scott Simpson and Terrance Williams, who each shared their visions for meaningful progress and incomparable impact. Each, too, emphasized how our commitment and belief in each other is critical to success.

Madison was the perfect place to showcase the 'cooperation amongst cooperatives' that we've always championed. Individually, a single credit union, a single association, a single partner cannot achieve the wide-reaching financial empowerment at the heart of our missions.

But, together, we can get pretty dang close.