The East Kootenay Community Credit Union Member Appreciation Day is on Thursday, October 18th at the Fernie branche. This year EKC celebrates their Board of Directors.
EKC is unique from other financial institutions because the leadership is from a local Board of Directors. Each of the Board members is passionate about their community and dedicated to the future of EKC.
The Board of Directors is an elected group of individuals who are members and generously give their time and energy to steer the present and help unfold the future. Every year, in an election, adult members can choose to run for the Board and has the right to cast a vote.
As a credit union, EKC is a member-owned co-operative. Local credit unions have a long, distinguished history of reflecting the strength of their co-operative values in forging stronger communities. Locally, EKC drives this spirit through sustainable community leadership, economic development, dedicated volunteerism, community sponsorships, student awards and a wide range of community giving. In each community, this commitment to sustaining strong communities is at the core of the credit union difference.
EKC’s Board of Directors include Jean-Ann Debreceni (Chair), Don Holt, Diane Byford, Mark Spittael, Jose Galdamez, Barb Nunes, Lynnette Wray and Russell Pask.
Jean-Ann Debreceni, EKC Chair
In July 2018, Debreceni was awarded the ‘City of Cranbrook’s 2017 Sustainable Community Builder of the Year Award’.
“I am both surprised and honoured to receive this award,” Debreceni says. “I want to thank Pam Pinch who felt strongly enough in me to both nominate me and work to gather the letters of support for the nomination.”
The Sustainable Community Builder Award winner receives $500 in funding from the legacy fund left to the Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies (CFKR) by the Knights of Pythias, Crescent Lodge #33 of Cranbrook. Debrecini awarded this funding to the Cranbrook Community Theatre.
Economical sustainability is a process involving local people striving towards priorities or goals established by themselves, for themselves, based on shared experiences and values. For EKC and the communities they serve, economic sustainability has a significant impact on both social and economic growth. The economic leadership that EKC provides can assume many forms – from giving direct financial assistance to providing low-cost financial services, to volunteering the initiative and financial expertise needed to pull together community resources to achieve a worthwhile community objective.
Jody Burk, CEO of EKC commented, “Jean-Ann’s dedication to her community is evident by her work with the multiple organizations. We, at EKC, are strongly supportive of individuals and organizations that build community strength, and who invest in sustainable solutions making communities more resilient, resourceful and ready for the future. We are proud of all of our Board and staff for their community leadership and involvement.”
