Local Resident Receives Volunteer Award

• by Credit Union Association of New York

ALBANY, NY (08/14/2009)(readMedia)-- Ithaca resident Yvette Rubio was named a 2009 Outstanding Volunteer by the Credit Union Association of New York at their annual Convention held recently in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The Volunteer of the Year award recognizes individuals who exemplify commitment to a credit union or to the New York credit union movement.

"Volunteers like Yvette are an essential part of what makes credit unions uniquely able to help members build a better financial future," said William J. Mellin, the Association's president/CEO.

Rubio has served as a member of Alternatives Federal Credit Union's board of directors since 2000 and has served as board chair for the past four years.

When the credit union's longtime founder and CEO retired, the low-income community development credit union was facing serious challenges. Rubio led a search process that involved the credit union's entire board and staff to ensure the selected candidate, Tristram Coffin, combined outstanding business skills with credit union's "people helping people" philosophy. She also put together an up-to-date version of Alternative's governance practices on her own time.

Alternatives Federal Credit Union was chartered in 1978. As of 12/31/08, the credit union has over $53 million in assets and serves more than 8,900 members. For more information about Alternatives, please visit www.alternatives.org.

The Credit Union Association of New York has served as the trade association for the state's credit unions for 91 years. It is the fourth largest league in the country. New York credit unions have assets of more than $44 billion and 4.3 million members. To learn more about the Association, visit www.cuany.org.

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