Press
Educational Community Credit Union Annual Meeting Highlights
KALAMAZOO, MI (April 25, 2013) – Educational Community Credit Union (ECCU) held its 78th Annual Meeting at the credit union’s Main Office on Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Noteworthy accomplishments for the past year include the purchase of property and breaking ground for the credit union’s new Gull Road Office, beginning the renovation and expansion of the credit union’s Paw Paw Office, introducing new services for members including Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP), Extended Warranty Protection, ECCU Mobile Banking, and identity theft protection with credit monitoring through ID Protect. Plus, the credit union was pleased to be ranked 8th highest mortgage producing credit union in Michigan and achieved 13% growth (to $158 million) in ECCU’s first mortgage program.
Incumbents re-elected to the Board of Directors for three-year terms were Richard M. Cahow, Jeffrey Powless and Kimberley Rohr. Table officers were elected as follows: David Aubry, Chairman; Richard M. Cahow, Vice Chairman; Arthur Parker, Treasurer; and Barbara Winter, Secretary.
During the business meeting, ECCU Telephone Services Representative, Carleen Kooistra, was honored with the 2013 James E. Fetterolf Distinguished Service Award in recognition of extraordinary credit union service. Carleen fully exemplifies the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” and the ideal stated on the award plaque, “The Ultimate Worth of a Person is in Service to Others.”
Carleen began her employment with ECCU in 1981, and in those 32 years, she has worked as a financial service representative, greeter, switchboard operator, loan clerk, has assisted with staff training, and is currently a Telephone Services Representative. “Carleen listens carefully and encourages conversation with her members to determine their needs and continuously provides an extraordinary member experience,” states Cheryl Smith, Call Center Supervisor. “Carleen is a true jewel to the credit union.”
“It has certainly been quite a remarkable experience working part-time at ECCU for so many years and witnessing the growth and changes,” says Carleen. “I really believe in the philosophy of ‘people helping people’ and strive to incorporate that into my work. I feel that people should always be treated with kindness, patience and respect and try to convey that to every member I speak with. I truly enjoy helping members and have been blessed to get to know so many wonderful people over the years, both members and co-workers.”
Established in 1935, the credit union exceeds $397 million in assets and provides a full-range of financial products and services to more than 35,000 members throughout 21 counties in Michigan. Visit eccu1.org to learn for yourself why ECCU just feels right, and ECCU members feel right at home.