Volunteers are not paid--not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless. In this spirit, five credit union directors were honored as inductees into the CUES Volunteer Hall of Fame during an awards ceremony in December at CUES' Directors Conference in Las Vegas. Honored for their priceless contributions to credit unions were:
Ertis Blake, chairman of $32 million Communications & Other Workers of Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union Ltd., Kingston, Jamaica, who, upon receiving the award, said: “Sincere thanks to CUES. Thanks to Mr. Fred Johnson and his team, an esteemed team who continue to educate and develop credit union volunteers and staff.” Blake also invited the audience to attend the CCCU and CUES International Convention next June in Jamaica, saying, "It will be an excellent opportunity for us to learn even more in a particularly challenging financial environment.” (Read about Blake's honor as the 2010 CUES Director of the Year in this Credit Union Management article.)
Eric Jones, chairman of $975 million Elevations Credit Union, Boulder, Colo., who said upon receiving the award: “I’m really humbled by this award … I guess it has to be my name up there,” but it is really a board award. He recognized his fellow board members in attendance. “We pride ourselves as a board on education .... We encourage all our board to attend these conferences. I’d like to thank the CUES organization for all of these opportunities.”
John C. Lay, CCD, chairman of $238 million Fairfax County Federal Credit Union, Fairfax, Va., who said: “I’m certainly not prepared to say too many words to you, other than thank you .... The credit union movement has been my life for the last 42 years… I hope to serve a few more.” (Lay, like Donald Lee, below, earned his Certified Credit (Union) Director certification with his participation in CUES' Directors Leadership Institute.)
Donald L. Lee, CCD, chairman of $843 million IBM Southeast Employees’ Federal Credit Union, Boca Raton, Fla., who said: “Serving the credit union industry is indeed an honor and a labor of love. To receive an induction into the CUES Volunteer Hall of Fame is almost a bonus. It’s something I will cherish forever.”
Donald E. Weaver, director of $668 million Indiana University Credit Union, Bloomington, Ind., who said: “Most of all what I’d like to say is I have enjoyed very much the time I’ve served, or I wouldn’t have ran like 17 times.” He emphasized to the group “the support we need to have from you in Washington, D.C., to further the credit union movement.”
The CUES Volunteer Hall of Fame ensures outstanding directors are always remembered by recognizing individuals who have shown dedication to self-development, encouragement of full board development, and providing ideas for advancement of all credit union boards. Thanks to these directors for their priceless contributions! We look forward to honoring a new group of top volunteers in 2012.
