AWARDS

The River Valley District of the California Inland Empire Council of Boy Scouts of America recently honored Mark Hawkins, president/CEO of Altura Credit Union, Riverside, Calif., as the 2006 Boy Scout Distinguished Citizen. Hawkins was recognized for his contributions to the community and his positive influence as a role model at the annual dinner event held at the Riverside Convention Center. More than 150 people attended the dinner, which is part of an annual effort to raise funds to support the Boy Scout Council’s youth programs and infrastructure. Approximately $25,000 was raised at the dinner through the live and silent auctions. Hawkins also recently received an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science Degree from California Baptist University during its graduate school commencement ceremony, where he delivered the commencement address. Spokane Federal Credit Union, Spokane, Wash., has given its Quarterly Outstanding Service Award to employee Kathy Krause. Krause works in the Collections Department and was chosen because of her willingness when solving member problems and her sympathetic attitude that keeps members in touch with her even after the collection issue has be resolved. The Quarterly Outstanding Service Award puts Krause in the running for the CU’s 2006 Employee of the Year. BrightStar Credit Union, Sunrise, Fla., has been selected as the 2006 District Partner of the Year by Broward County Public Schools at their annual Partnership, Volunteer and Mentor recognition event. The CU is involved in numerous partnerships with Broward County Public Schools, including funding a series of seven Colonial Williamsburg Electronic Fieldtrips that middle school students in 44 schools participated in. It also gives the school lifetime taping rights to video so they can build their own American History library. The CU provides financial and in-kind support for all of the district’s recognition activities and also assists the Broward Education Foundation attain its goals of providing resources for students and teachers. The Illinois Council of the Credit Union Executives Society recently named Bob Schroeder, president/CEO of Illinois Community Credit Union, as their Executive of the Year. The award was presented in recognition of outstanding achievement and leadership as CEO of Illinois Community Credit Union and to the credit union movement. Air Force Federal Credit Union, San Antonio, has selected Mary Lou Geise as the CU’s March 2006 “Employee of the Month.” Geise is the human resources assistant at the CU’s corporate headquarters. Geise was chosen because her service to the credit union epitomizes the true meaning of its core values. She demonstrates a hard-working attitude, a continued trust from her co-workers in her work ethic and a friendly, professional demeanor that is respectful to all employees and members. Redwood Credit Union, Santa Rosa, Calif., recently received 2nd Place honors in the 25th Annual Butter and Egg Days Parade held in Petaluma. Their winning entry included a 1925 Chevrolet egg truck, bedecked with festive balloons, along with 20 RCU volunteers and the CU’s Youth Program mascot, Reddy the Redwood. Petaluma, once known as the “chicken capital of the world,” celebrates its rich agricultural history each year with the Butter and Egg Days parade. RCU’s parade entry was titled, “Build Your Nest Egg with Redwood Credit Union,” and featured “Reddy’s nest” of savings on the back of the egg truck, which was generously provided by the Petaluma Museum and Library. Columbia Credit Union, Vancouver, Wash., has earned its 15th consecutive SUPERIOR five-star rating from BAUERFINANCIAL Inc., the nation’s leading independent credit union rating firm. The SUPERIOR rating designates Columbia CU as one of the top performing credit unions in the nation. BAUERFINANCIAL analyzes and reports on the financial condition of the nation’s banks and credit unions. MaPS Credit Union, Monmouth, Ore., recently named Kimberly Fowler, of the Monmouth branch, Stellar Teller for the month of March. This is Fowler’s second win of the coveted monthly award. Fowler was named Stellar Teller this time for her dedication to the CU when two out of four staff members were on medical leave. She worked long hours to make sure that the branch was running smoothly and still maintained very high referral and member evaluation scores and perfect monthly balancing and accuracy. Fowler is a full-time specialist and serves on the MaPS Recreation Team and writes for the employee newsletter. Jersey Shore Federal Credit Union, Northfield, N.J., was recently honored by CUNA with a Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award at the organization’s 2006 Governmental Affairs Conference. The CU was one of only 24 institutions in the country to be recognized for involvement in community projects and activities in 2005. The CU received honorable mention among credit unions with $50 million to $100 million in assets. Jersey Shore FCU was honored for its participation in several community projects in 2005, including its 14th annual holiday gift drive for the Division of Youth and Family Services, the sale of commemorative state quarters for the Children’s Miracle Network and its support of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. First Financial of Maryland Federal Credit Union, Lutherville, Md., has recently received a Meritorious Service award from the Teachers Association of Baltimore County. The award is in recognition of generous contributions of time and talents to further the advancement of education in Baltimore County through the CU’s scholarship program. The program, which started in 1998, awards the outstanding academic achievement and commitment to school and community of high school seniors within its field of membership. Each year the CU awards six, $5,000 college scholarships to deserving recipients. Jay W. Jeffers, the only remaining founding member of Silver State Schools Credit Union, Las Vegas, was recently honored at the dedication of an elementary school in his name. Jeffers was one of five original board members – all teachers – who founded the Clark County Teachers Federal Credit Union back in January 1951. A commemorative plaque was presented to Jeffers at a ceremony attended by many dignitaries of the Clark County School District, representatives of local, state and national government, Jeffers’ family members and others. Earlier this year, Branch Manager Devin Bertram, of Space Age Federal Credit Union, Denver, was nominated for the Helen Phelps Volunteer Award from the Denver Teachers’ Award Organization. The award is for volunteers who go above and beyond in helping one or more Denver Public Schools. For the past two years, Bertram has supported students at Lowry Elementary School by volunteering his time and energy in classrooms, and developing an educational opportunity for fourth and fifth grade students. He also actively supports individual students in the project Mentor program at Lowry by providing a strong moral example for struggling students to emulate. Board Chair Barbara Berghoff, of Mid-States Corporate Federal Credit Union, Indianapolis, will be inducted into the Indiana Credit Union Hall of Fame during the Indiana Credit Union League’s Convention in September. Berghoff, who is president/CEO of Professional FCU in Fort Wayne, has been on the corporate’s board since 1997, when it was called INDICORP, continuing as a director after the 1999 merger with Mid-States Corporate FCU. She will continue as director of Members United Corporate FCU, the newly named organization which is a result of the merger between Mid-States and Empire Corporate FCU.