The New York Credit Union Association’s 2020 Annual Meeting & Awards Presentation went off without a hitch Monday, the first time – due to the pandemic – that the event has been held remotely.

Noting that 2019 was a year of prosperity for credit unions, Ann Hynes of SPX FCU, the Association’s chair of the board of directors, said that despite the pandemic and a future of uncertainty, “there are reasons to be optimistic.”

“From the very beginning of the pandemic, credit unions were strong,” she said. “We have seen how credit unions are supporting their members and taking care of their employees.

William J. Mellin, Association president/CEO, announced that the Association has experienced seven-plus years of growing membership and that there are 6 million New York state consumer credit union members, totaling $89.5 billion in assets.

Results of the 2019 membership survey were announced, with 99% of those responding rating the Association as either excellent, very good or good at delivering its mission. In addition:

• 99% of respondents consider the Association effective at advocating, educating and supporting New York credit unions;
• 95% of respondents consider the Association to be effective when it comes to united New York credit unions;
• 94% of respondents said the New York Credit Union Foundation was effective in carrying out its mission’ and
• 97% of respondents said the Association’s chapters are effective in providing networking, educational and cooperative opportunities.

Several Recognition Awards were presented to New York credit unions, professionals and volunteers during the Association’s virtual on Monday. Each year, the Association’s Recognition Awards program honors credit unions and individuals for their exceptional contributions to the credit union movement and the members they serve.

Board election result were announced for four director terms that are expiring this year: one in the asset tier of up to $25 million; one in the asset tier of $25 million to $100 million; and two in the asset tier of more than $100 million. Elected directors will hold office for three-year terms.

The following directors were elected to serve three-year terms on the board:

• Maggie Pope, CEO/manager of Peru FCU, has been elected to represent the asset tier of up to $25 million;
• Marie Betti, president/CEO of Western New York FCU has been elected to represent the asset tier of $25 million to $100 million; and
• Tony Rohrmeier, EVP/COO of Hudson Valley CU and Frank DeGraw, president/CEO of Sunmark CU have been elected to represent the asset tier of over $100 million.

Additionally, the board of directors unanimously passed three resolutions which: honor medical staff and first responders for their commitment during the coronavirus pandemic; thanks credit union staff for continuing to serve their members and communities during the pandemic; and recognizes the need to address racism and expand diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the Association and as a movement.

“More than 160 credit union professionals and volunteers tuned in and participated in the Association’s first-ever virtual Annual Membership Meeting and Awards Presentation,” said Mellin. “I believe we all would have preferred to meet in person to celebrate our movement, and I’m hopeful we’ll be able to connect face-to-face next year. However, given the circumstances, it was a pleasure to unite our diverse movement under one banner – even if only for a short period of time. On behalf of the Association and our leadership team, thank you to all those who participated.”