Affinity Credit Union held a lasagna and salad supper, catered by Oven Scents, and an information meeting at the community centre in Dalmeny April 24.
Before and after the supper, the Prairie Spirit (West) School Division Jazz Band entertained with a number of selections, with Kendra Worman as conductress. A small token of appreciation was given to each student from Affinity.
The meeting chairperson was Evelyn Kasahoff, who introduced the delegates from District 7 and guests present from head office. A video message from board president Kearney Healy was presented, thanking all the directors, staff and members and talking about the Community Spirit Fund, which gives $200 to a non-profit organization in each community each year. They have given out 321 of these in the past two years and the staff raised a record $104,505 for the United Way.
George Keter, CEO for Affinity, also gave his message by way of video, thanking the district council delegates, executive team and employees for making Affinity the most successful credit union in Canada. He spoke of some of new implementations made in the last year - expanded banking hours, mortgage/equity building fund/new home program, better protection for members, international fund transfer product, improving member services and welcoming new First Nations bands.
Affinity also gave a patronage refund to members of $2.237 million and a refund of $2.094 million to those who paid service fees. Affinity was also awarded the SABEX Award for Community Involvement from the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce in 2011.
Giving the financial report for 2011 was Lise de Moissac who stated that Affinity budgeted for growth of $114 million in 2011 but actually had growth of $182 million for a very successful year. Pat Brothers reported on Affinity CU Foundation, an innovative way to provide funding to individuals and communities by way of registered charities, endowments, gifts and small donations. One hundred per cent of the profit stays in the communities and totalled $1.3 million in 2011, with $20,000 awarded in scholarships.
District 7 council delegates are Peter Block for Waldheim; Donna Epp, Evelyn Kasahoff, Joe Kasahoff, Richard Mireau for Langham; Mike McLeod for Martensville; Eric Pearce and Gerry Wainwright for Borden; Gerard Wild for Dalmeny; and Julie-Ann Wriston for Hepburn. Door prizes (including four $50 bills) went to Peter and Pearl Chudyk, Carol Epp, Debbie Kasahoff from Langham, Peggy Wainwright from Borden; Margaret Block and Ken Kroeker of Waldheim, Victor Kazakoff and Irene Penner of Dalmeny and Henry Enns of Hepburn.
