UP Chapter Fun!

Another April means another UP annual meeting in the beautiful north! As with previous years, I was fortunate enough to attend our UP Chapter’s annual meeting and convention. What a great group of credit union champions! I was happy to attend alongside some of our MCUL team — Andrea, DaeSean, Tony, Brad and Mary Comar from CUSG. We all had a blast!

I enjoyed meeting up on Thursday night and connecting with some folks that I do not get a chance to see very often. On Friday, I gave my MCUL update to the chapter and had a fun time with the YPs participating in a roller coaster building contest. Unfortunately, my team did not win but I still think our coaster was the best! The evening brought the annual party with credit union supporters all around. I hung out at our foundation booth and the CUSG booth.

You can bet that I was thrilled to learn that my dear friend, Connie Toensing, was being honored at the meeting with a Distinguished Service Award!!! Not only is Connie on our MCUL board, she also was the long-time President/CEO of Chippewa County Credit Union that recently was part of a three-credit-union merger in the UP. Connie clearly knows her community and is well-respected by her peers. As for me, Connie has been a true supporter of mine since I joined MCUL and often offers me feedback, guidance and kudos. I appreciate her so much and love hanging with her and being a “real person” [private joke; Connie will get it]!

Saturday morning had me attending the UP Annual Meeting, where our own Tony Zorza did a great job. It was really a joy to hear all the amazing work that our friends in the north are up to.  What a passionate group of credit union professionals. I then found myself, along with MCUF Board Member Jennifer Watson, hanging out with some pretty dynamic young professionals that are part of the FUEL group in the UP. A very impressive group that I was happy to share my story with and hopefully left them with a few bits of wisdom?!!

I also want to take this time to talk about the Pat Ruecker AC+E Scholarship. Did you know that in 2019, MCUL created a scholarship as a way to honor Pat, former president of Marquette Catholic Credit Union (now Embers Credit Union), who was one of the pioneers of the credit union movement in the U.P?

In the spirit of Pat’s legacy, the scholarship is an annual award given to ambitious, driven, goal-oriented professionals from the U.P. Chapter who have a background of consistent community involvement or credit union service. This year, that honor goes to Melissa Bricco of Soo Co-op Credit Union. Congratulations, Melissa! I was also pleased to announce that this scholarship will continue on for another 10 years! See you in Traverse City, Melissa! 

Thanks for reading in on my UP adventure. To conclude my trip, I was so amazed to see the beautiful shoreline of Lake Michigan on my way south to the Mackinac Bridge. The beauty of the UP is truly inspiring! Catch you soon!

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