We the People

Independence Day is always a good time to celebrate our nation’s many freedoms, values, and traditions. Of course, this holiday carries great historical relevance with respect to the Declaration of Independence. However, it is the Constitution of the United States which was ratified over 235 years ago that provides greater cause for celebration.

There is no national holiday to celebrate our Constitution. Yet, no other document does more to instill and protect common values of freedom, diversity, and opportunity. These values are not only foundational to our nation, but also resonate deeply within the framework of our industry’s ethos of “people helping people.”

This spirit is captured in the preamble to the Constitution:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

There are several phrases throughout the preamble that draw attention.

First, “We the People” is a powerful opening. These three simple words convey unity from a nation rich in diversity. This is exactly how it should be—no qualifiers, addendums, or disclaimers in these three words. If anything, this is something we should celebrate more often.

Aside: Most nouns in the constitution are capitalized due to an archaic grammatical rule at the time. Yet, the capital “P” in “People” is one that should remain in our opinion.

It is important to state that diversity in the credit union movement goes well beyond demographics; it encompasses serving different financial needs, preferences, economic circumstances, and much more. Member service is key to understanding this diversity. Leadership is what drives action to meet these diverse needs.

Second, “in Order to form a more perfect Union” is both aspirational and realistic. No nation is ever perfect. In fact, harnessing the will and aspirations of a diverse People will always be an ongoing struggle. That is reality. Yet, the United States should always strive to be perfect. Going backwards is not an option.

Finally, each of the five goals that follow define what this country is all about: “establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.”

We are positive all credit unions can support each of these goals. It is in our ethos. As such, the Defense Credit Union Council and the African- American Credit Union Coalition want to challenge our colleagues throughout the industry to move beyond issues that separate “We the People” and focus on that which makes us form a more perfect Union. We promise that in doing so, the result can be very rewarding.

Also, as we head toward our “quarter millennial” Independence Day, let us use the next two years to sharpen our commitment to industry core values and heighten the impact credit unions have in terms of embracing diversity, fostering inclusion, and advancing financial prosperity. Be sure to tell your story. People are watching and listening.

This challenge is more than embracing words and ideas, it is about achieving meaningful results over the next two years. We have made great progress. Let’s keep going!