BALTIMORE — Weeks of heavy campaigning for seats on the African-American Credit Union Coalition's board came to an end during the group's recent conference.
Three seats were up for grabs with five candidates hoping to fill the spots. Long-time AACUC board members Sheilah Montgomery, president/CEO of 1st Choice Credit Union, and Helen Godfrey-Smith, president/CEO of Shreveport FCU were among the two hoping to continue to serve on AACUC's board of directors. Newcomers also made the rounds for the seats: Vaughn Johnson, assistant vice president, business consulting at Members United Corporate FCU; Melinda Edmunds, vice president of branch and internal services at Congressional FCU and Tarra Jackson, vice president of lending at Del-One FCU.
In the end, delegates voted for Edmunds to become the AACUC's newest board member succeeding long-time board member Michael Hale, president/CEO of Andrews FCU, who chose not to run for re-election this time. Edmunds is vice president of branch and internal services at Congressional FCU. Sheilah Montgomery, president/CEO of 1st Choice CU, and Helen Godfrey-Smith, president/CEO of Shreveport FCU, were both re-elected to AACUC's board.
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Barbara Stephens, president/CEO of Houston Municipal Employees Credit Union, has been named the new chairperson of the African-American Credit Union Coalition. Stephens succeeds Bob Harvey, president/CEO of Seattle Metropolitan CU. Stephens has served on the AACUC board in several capacities, most recently as vice chair. Stephens said she wants to "stay focused on [AACUC's] purpose and goals" and will be seeking out volunteers to serve on various committees.
In addition to e-mails sent out to AACUC members over the past few weeks inviting them to cast their vote, candidates have put together flyers detailing their accomplishments, how they have helped the coalition grow and what impact they can bring to the group.
According to AACUC, only one delegate from each credit union or organization was issued a single ballot for voting. Each delegate can vote for a maximum of three candidates only. A certified delegate list is being provided by AACUC's voting election tellers to confirm who actually receives a ballot from the nominating committee during the election. The election took place during AACUC's annual business meeting Aug. 11.
Meanwhile, AACUC Chairman Bob Harvey said he is enthused about the interest the candidates have in running for the board seats jokingly telling them and conference attendees "these are not paid positions, you know." On Hale's departure, Harvey said the venerable leader will be missed. Hale was recognized by AACUC for his board service dating back to the coalition's early days.
"When the board met after the annual meeting for our reorganization meeting, we all felt a little uncomfortable that Michael Hale was not in the room," Harvey said. "His goal was to make room for fresh faces and ideas and Melinda will meet that goal. Michael has set the standard for AACUC and we thank him."
Harvey said he welcomes Edmunds to the board and is looking forward to her contributions.
"Her victory was not easy as there were five candidates running for three positions. I was most pleased and excited to see the serious but friendly campaigning by all the candidates."
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