CONVENTION
Every year credit union volunteers, officials, CEOs and guests from New Hampshire come together for the state’s largest credit union gathering. The reasons that this convention draws so many attendees are almost as varied as the people who attend.
A key attraction of this three-day event is the educational programming, which ranges from legal and regulatory compliance to strategic environmental analysis to new technology. An extensive trade show compliments the educational effort by showcasing the latest products and services that credit unions can employ to better serve their members. One of the most important benefits provided by the convention is the chance to meet with and enjoy the company of many people who share a commitment to the important work that credit unions do. The shared insights and creative discussions, sparked by common goals and friendship, make the convention a unique and wonderful event.
New Hampshire Credit Union League holds 57th Annual Meeting and Convention
More than 235 attendees explored the wonders of the New Hampshire Credit Union League’s 57th Annual Meeting and Convention June 10-12, 2011 at The Balsams Grand Resort in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire. Surrounded by the tranquility and natural beauty of the rugged New Hampshire Mountains, The Balsams provided an environment both invigorating and pleasantly relaxed. Attendees and guests throughout the state were treated to the full Balsams experience, where inviting accommodations, the famous breakfast and lunch buffets, and exquisite five-course dining, countless activities including golf, and live entertainment are part of each visit.
The weekend began on Friday afternoon with an information-packed education program led by League President Dan Egan who shared an industry update with the group. This year’s general session featured motivational speaker Lalita Booth. Her story, “Success, the Hard Way: From Homeless to Harvard” has inspired audiences across the country with her remarkable journey from homeless teenage mother and welfare recipient to author, anti-poverty crusader, Truman Scholar, and joint degree candidate at Harvard. At fifteen, Lalita was a runaway high school dropout struggling for survival on the streets. By twenty, her teenage marriage to a childhood friend was in shambles, and she was homeless again – this time with an infant. Refusing to accept a life of homelessness and poverty, Lalita defied the odds, achieving success that surpassed her wildest dreams. Through her story, Lalita challenged the group to move beyond the boundaries that confine growth, stunt prosperity, and limit possibility. Her message was motivated by the core belief that we are each capable of accomplishing far more than we give ourselves credit for. Lalita’s message was both inspiring and timely: Ordinary people are capable of accomplishing absolutely extraordinary things. The second part of her presentation focused on financial education for the Internet generation.
After the day’s work was concluded, guests settled in for the evening reception and dinner followed by the Echoes of Sinatra and the Rick Erwin Band. Exchanging letters with Mr. Sinatra inspired Steve Kazlauskas to hone his craft in a way that would have made “Ol’ Blue Eyes” proud. He started by listening to Sinatra’s recordings – studying his phrasing, diction and approach to a song, feeling the sense of what the writer intended to say. To this day, he still studies the art of the voice and not only did renditions of some of Frank’s classic songs, but also took the group on a brief journey into how Sinatra made this his world and everyone around it just glad to be in it.
When the delegates gathered on Saturday morning for the Business Meeting, they heard reports from numerous League committees as well as League Chairman Michael L’Ecuyer and League President Daniel F. Egan, Jr. They heard from special guest speakers, the new Bank Commissioner Ronald Wilbur; National Credit Union Administration Supervisory Examiner John Bilodeau; and CUNA Mutual Group Sales Executive Jeff Pierce. The attendees were moved by a special presentation given by Wish Child Sam with his mom Jennifer and his dad Matthew in conjunction with Make-A-Wish® Foundation of New Hampshire Director of Development Donna Parker.
During the meeting, the nominating committee announced the results of the election held for positions on the League’s Board of Directors. Gerald L. Dumoulin, president/treasurer, Guardian Angel Credit Union and John R. Young, president/CEO, New Hampshire Federal Credit Union were re-elected to the board for three-year terms. Brian Hughes, president/CEO, Holy Rosary Credit Union was elected to the board for a three-year term.
Prior to the conclusion of the meeting, Chairman L’Ecuyer recognized Peter J. Kavalauskas who chose not to seek re-election and retired from the League Board of Directors. Peter was presented with a special gift in honor of his more than 25 years of service to the New Hampshire Credit Union League.
Following the League’s annual meeting, the Board of Directors met and voted to keep the current table officers as: Chairman - Michael L’Ecuyer, president/CEO, Bellwether Community Credit Union; Vice Chairman – Gerald Dumoulin, CEO, Guardian Angel Credit Union; and Secretary/Treasurer – Timothy Naro, vice president of Lending, Granite State Credit Union. Rounding out the remainder of the board is: newly elected Brian Hughes, president/CEO, Holy Rosary Credit Union; Maurice Simard, Jr., president/treasurer, Triangle Credit Union; Gordon Simmons, president, Service Credit Union; and John Young, president/CEO, New Hampshire Federal Credit Union.
During the annual meeting, guests and spouses enjoyed a culinary program featuring appetizers for entertaining presented by the Balsams chef and a candle making workshop hosted by the owners of Castine Candle Company.
After an afternoon of golf, outdoor activities, quiet time/reading, participating in the afternoon candle making workshop, cribbage tournament, or at the 4-star grilling at home program, the group returned for the reception and the banquet which included the funny antics of comedian Rich Ceisler.
The League would like to thank all the credit unions and their attendees for participating in this year’s convention.
Credit union anniversaries
Several credit unions celebrating anniversaries this year were recognized at the New Hampshire Credit Union League’s 57th Annual Meeting held on June 11, 2011 at the Balsams Grand Resort in Dixville Notch.
Credit unions honored were: 55 years – Woodlands Credit Union; 60 years – Upper Valley Credit Union; 70 years – New Hampshire Federal Credit Union; 75 years – Northeast Credit Union; and 90 years – Bellwether Community Credit Union. Celebrating anniversaries but not in attendance was: 45 years – NGM Employees Federal Credit Union and 55 years – Freudenberg-NOK Employees Credit Union.
Special thanks to this year’s sponsors
Sponsorship opportunities continued to be a major component for the convention following last year’s success. Thirteen sponsors supported the 2011 Annual Convention. Depending on the level of sponsorship, many of the sponsors addressed the group at various functions throughout the weekend. The format allowed sponsors to meet with registrants and guests in a more relaxed setting as part of the convention. The New Hampshire Credit Union League would like to thank this year’s sponsors.
General Session Speaker Sponsor
Tricorp Federal Credit Union
Entertainment Sponsor
CU Direct Corporation
Golf Tournament Reception Sponsor
Andera
Friday Evening Reception Sponsor
Synergent
Friday Evening Reception Sponsor
CUNA Mutual Group
CEO/Chairman Reception Sponsors
Allied Solutions
Coclin Associates, Inc.
Financial Service Centers Cooperative (FSCC)
Education Session Break Sponsors
CUAlliance
RewardsNOW
Convention Sponsors
Enterprise Car Sales
Experian
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston
The League would like to thank all the credit unions and their attendees for participating in this year’s convention.
Save the Date
Save the date for the New Hampshire Credit Union League’s 58th Annual Meeting and Convention to be held June 15-17, 2011 at the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, NH. Information will be mailed to all credit unions in February, 2012.
If you have any questions, please contact Donna Bevilacqua at (800) 842-1242 or dbevilacqua@cucenter.org.
To access the 2010 Annual Report, click here.
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