2003 Annual Meeting Photos
2003 Alternatives Federal Credit Union Annual Meeting
Celebrating Our Success! Focusing On Our Mission.
The Women's Community Building is set for celebrating. Tables are covered with red and white tablecloths; bright geraniums add color to the room. Department displays and abundant food and drink greet our members as they enter. We have a lot to celebrate at this Annual Meeting. Our move to the new building is complete.
"With this building we intend to reserve a place for community on the miracle mile. We do not cede this territory to the global economy." Bill Myers' proclamation, read from the first page of the Alternatives Annual Report. His statement is a challenge to the Credit Union he started. Myers doesn't pause long to celebrate Alternatives' success. This meeting is planned for its focus: its Mission - Alternatives' future.
Leslie Strebel starts the meeting off with the President's Report. Paul Mazzarella gives the Treasurer's Report, summing things up by saying "Financially, we ended 2002 exactly where we expected to be and poised for accelerated growth in 2003."
Election results are announced by Supervisory Committee volunteer Heather McDaniel. Paul Mazzarella, Karen Jamarusty, Yvette Rubio and Brian Hunt have been elected to three year terms and Kenny Christianson has been elected to a two year term.
Lisa Richter, Managing Director of ShoreBank Advisory Services, is the keynote speaker for the meeting. In sharing her insights into Alternatives' place in the larger National Community Development Credit Union field, Richter says when she thinks of the cutting edge in credit unions she thinks of Alternatives Federal Credit Union. Alternatives, she points out, is the cutting edge. She continues, saying the Credit Union does so much more than its asset size or its member size would indicate. Alternatives is changing how financial markets operate.
Myers' C.E.O. report captures his visionary spirit that compels Alternatives forward. He states, "Alternatives is tied to the ground by the necessity of being a capital based institution. On the other hand, our mission lifts us up and brings us to exciting heights." He discusses the incredible growth Alternatives has experienced in the last five years. "This growth,: he says, "confirms my dream: to dream large - dreams we have are never enough to fill the reality we can achieve."
Myers commends the entire Alternatives staff for excellence under transition during the move to the new building. Carol Chernikoff and Karl Graham are singled out and given special mention and honor for their exceptional assistance during the building process. Chernikoff took responsibility for interior design and Karl Graham did everything else, Myers states with a smile.
A special presentation to Carol Chernikoff for 20 years of service is a highpoint of the evening. Leni Hochman, C.O.O., reads letters from former employees and members attesting to Carol's contribution to the Credit Union. It is affirmed over and over that Carol's contribution and work has had an affect on thousands of lives in the community.
The "Alternatives Bruce Springsteen Singers," in a special appearance, sing a song written especially for Carol. The song, "Carol's Really Got the Biggest Heart," taken from Springsteen's song "Hungry Heart," is punctuated by Joe Cummins, who, standing taller than the rest, lifts a large red heart during the chorus of the song, moving from left to right so all can see this heart that has been a nurturing influence to the Credit Union for so long.
As in years past, awards are given to exceptional Credit Union members. Student Volunteer of theYear is given to Wytse Schukken for his work in the Student Credit Union, Dollars for Dreams.
The VITA Tax Program gives Alternatives this years' Volunteers of the Year. Fifteen deserving volunteers, who assisted C.F.O. Gerry Ruggiero in tax preparation, win this award. Without their effort, Alternatives would have been unable to help so many file taxes for 2002.
Finally, Thomas Hoebbel is given the Jeff Furman Award for Social Responsibility in Business. Cal Walker presents this award to Hoebbel saying, first and foremost, that Hoebbel is a good and decent human being. Walker continues. "Tom gives of himself so unselfishly - he exemplifies what it means to have a social consciousness in a business or profession."
Hoebbel, in accepting the award, quickly points out that he gets so much more than he gives. "When you support the community, the community supports you back. The benefits to the community far outweigh the cost to me."
As the meeting ends, people wander back to the food tables - enjoying a bit more off the luscious fruit trays, taking another sandwich, another drink. Member businesses providing food this year are: Solas, Your Daily Soup, Special T Catering, Just Desserts, GreenStar, FingerLakes Beverage Center and Moosewood Restaurant.
A member picks up a few more cut vegetables, and as she munches them, walks towards one of the posters on the wall. This one's "Walking the Credit Path: A Story of Success" The quote on the poster reads, "I came into this town five years ago. Now, because of Alternatives, we have a good credit standing, we have the dream of a new house becoming a reality." This poster exemplifies what Alternatives cares about most. It has been the focus of this meeting, this goal of Alternatives: to build wealth and create economic opportunity for underserved people and communities.
