50,000 reasons to smile at the Credit Union’s AGM

The Revelstoke Credit Union gave local groups 50,000 reasons to smile as it reported solid earnings at its 2011 Annual General Meeting at the Seniors Centre Tuesday evening. The recipients of the cheques — presented by RCU Director John Teed (left, front) happily posed for a photo at the end of the Community Giving Awards presentation at the meeting. David F. Rooney photo

By David F. Rooney

The Revelstoke Credit Union gave local groups 50,000 reasons to smile as it reported solid earnings at its 2011 Annual General Meeting at the Seniors Centre Tuesday evening.

The recipients of the cheques — presented by RCU Director John Teed (left, front) were: Neills Kristensen of the Friends of Mount Revelstoke & Glacier, who received $2,000 to help the group replace the roof on its bookstore on top of the mountain; the North Columbia Environmental Society, which received $1,500 for the community garden; Jan Morehouse of the Revelstoke Museum & Archives who received $2,000 for the museum’s book project; Tracy Spannier representing the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy and the early Childhood Education Committee who received cheques of $3,000 for each group; BR Whalen of the Multicultural Society who took possession of $2,000 for the Carousel of Nations event; Lyn Kaulback and Justin Smith who received $1,000 to help the Theatre Company defray the costs of its zone festival preparations; Greg Brownlee of the Royal Canadian Legion which received $8,000 to make the Legion wheelchair accessible; Carol Palladino of the Arts Council which received $1,500 for its annual concert series; Wendy Lucas of the Community Band, $1,500 to help rejuvenate the historic band; Randy Knecht of the Vintage Car Club, $800 for its show ‘n’ shine; Ruth Boettger of the Seniors Centre, $3,000 to help pay for a volunteer coordinator; Kristal Bradshaw of Community Connections, $5,000 for its summer day camp program; Patti Larson of the Community Connections Food Bank, $5,000 for its programs; Lisa Feuz and Llewanda Halldorson of the Revelstoke & District Humane Society, $3,000 to help improve the animal shelter; Jennifer Dunkerson of the Railway Museum, $2,000 to improve the museum gift shop; Bridget Daughney of the Canadian Avalanche Centre, $3,500 for safety education programs; and Keith McNab of the Nordic Ski Club, $2,000 for timing equipment.

Credit Union Chairman Bill MacFarlane reported to the more than 70 members who attended the AGM that the RCU’s assets increased to $154,987,589 as of December 31, 2010, over $148,623,142 during 2009. Net earnings amounted to $618,624 after disbursements, resulting in an increase in retained earnings of $9,034,407.

CEO Roberta Bobicki called 2010 “another year of progress, change and success” and reported on the banking system conversion that is currently underway at the RCU.

“We’ve been using the same system since 1997,” she said, adding that such an old system is not compatible with new technologies such as chip cards.

Martin Ralph and a six-person team have been carefully overseeing the conversion process that will be launched — hopefully “as seamlessly as possible” — on August 1.

Bobicki was also very proud of the many staff members who have been furthering their education through RCU.

“You often hear me say we offer employees careers — not jobs,” she said, listing the many employees and even board directors who completed certificate programs during the past year. “I’m proud to say it was all done in a year.”

And, las but not least, there was some turn over at the board level as three-year terms expired for directors Chris Swayze, Grainger Wilson and David Raven. After 15 years on the RCU board Swayze declined to run again, as did six-year director Wilson. Raven, however, chose to stand again for election and was accepted as were Adelheid Bender and Norm Langlois.