NOTE: Interested in attending/covering this event? Contact Pat Keefe directly

WASHINGTON — Credit union system leaders past and present will gather Sept. 14 - 17 in Estes Park, Colo., to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Credit Union National Association, the nation's premier credit union trade group.

Pioneers of the credit union movement gathered in 1934 for a group photograph commemorating the founding of CUNA at Estes Park, Colo. A similar photo - featuring current and past leaders of the U.S. credit union movement -- is being planned for the CUNA 75th anniversary gathering Sept. 14-17, also in Estes Park.

Estes Park is the site where CUNA's Constitution and Bylaws were signed on Aug. 10, 1934, less than two months after the Federal Credit Union Act was signed into law and 25 years after the nation's first credit union was established.

"Seventy-five years ago, an extraordinary group of credit union pioneers held a 'meeting of the minds' in Estes Park, Colorado, about a national association that would enhance the movement throughout the land and help it become self-reliant," said CUNA President Dan Mica.

"Today, it is an honor for all of us at CUNA to continue the work set out by those leaders three-quarters of a century ago," Mica added. "Our focus, like that of our founders, is on advancing this great movement to new heights through leadership, advocacy and services."

Activities scheduled for the event include a CUNA and CUNA Strategic Services board of directors commemorative meeting; dedication of a 75th anniversary plaque at the YMCA Camp in Estes Park where the original gathering of CUNA's founders took place; keynote speeches from today's credit union leaders; and a photo at the outdoor site where 52 credit union delegates from 21 states and the District of Columbia originally posed for the iconic group photo taken in 1934.

Among those invited to join the CUNA and CSS boards and executive management teams for the Estes Park commemorative events are the credit union league presidents and their chairs from the 50 states, past CUNA chairs and CUNA presidents, representatives of affiliated and guest organizations, and the board members of the National Credit Union Administration.

Today the Credit Union National Association represents nearly 90% of the nation's 8,000 state and federally chartered credit unions, which have combined assets close to $900 billion and provide cooperatively owned financial services to more than 92 million Americans.

"When we meet in Estes Park as a tribute to our organization's founders, all of us will have 75 years of credit union progress on our minds-and a determination to ensure the next 75 years of progress and prosperity for credit unions," said Mica.

Those invited to the ceremonies include:

League Presidents
League Chairmen
Former CUNA Chairmen
Former CUNA Presidents
Seven recently retired League presidents

And officials from:

America's CU Museum
CO-OP Financial Services
CO-OP Shared Branching
CUNA Council Forum Chairman
CUNA Mutual
DCUC
Filene Research Institute
NASCUS
NCBA
NCB
NCUA
NCUF
NFCDCU
WOCCU

Public events at the 75th anniversary celebration include:

Tuesday, Sept. 15

Welcome reception for all invited.

Wednesday, Sept. 16

CUNA & CSS Boards of Directors Commemorative Meeting (open to public)

Visit to Official CUNA Establishment Site (YMCA Camp), including:

• Dedication of Anniversary Plaque
• Visit Museum at YMCA
• Keynote Speeches
• Toast and photo op (same location as 1934 iconic photo)

Outdoor cook-out (indoors if inclement weather)