METRO EAST CHAPTER OF CREDIT UNIONS
CHARITY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
June 16, 2011

The regular meeting of the CHARITY COMMITTEE of the METRO EAST CHAPTER OF CREDIT UNIONS was called to order by Chairperson Crystal Gracz at 9:16 a.m. on June 16, 2011 at Detroit Metropolitan Credit Union.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Crystal Gracz, Ronnie Johnson, Mandy Lathrop, Becky Reini, Kathi Sitek, and Julie Swidwinski.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS EXCUSED: Jenny Bulgrien, Antoinette Funke, Gail Hernalsteen, and Jessica Johnson.

GUEST PRESENT: Sue Burstein-Kahn, Executive Director, and JoAnne Berry, Development Director, from ALS of Michigan.

PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES: Motion made by Becky Reini and supported by Ronnie Johnson to approve the minutes of April 21, 2011, meeting as is. Motion carried.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:  The Executive Committee had requested that the Charity Committee revisit the seat terms to realign with the election year of the Executive Committee chairs. 

OLD BUSINESS:
Race for the Cure – The Race for the Cure event took place on May 21, 2011. Kathi Sitek said that the event was successful and that she had many photos from her day that she could share with the MCUL Monitor. She is also gathering general photos to pass on as well from Katrina Studvent, our representative from the Race for the Cure. Collections for the event end June 30. All checks will be mailed to Kathi the first week of July.

ABD Federal CU
C/O Kathy Sitek
27850 Mound Road
Warren, MI  48092

NEW BUSINESS: 
ALS of Michigan – Becky Reini is the lead and contact for ALS of Michigan, which will be supported as our charity from July 31 to August 31. Special guests Sue Burstein-Kahn and JoAnne Berry joined us to discuss the mission of the organization, the illness, and their fundraising efforts.

After Becky shared her personal experience with the charity, Sue shared startling facts about Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Some notable facts include:

• ALS is a motor neuron disease that causes the loss of movement, speaking, breathing, etc.
• There is no treatment, only a treatment of symptoms.
• After diagnosis, the average lifespan is 2-5 years.
• ALS strives to improve life with ALS through their equipment loan program, support groups, caregiver support, etc.
• JoAnne introduced the charity’s largest fundraiser, the Walk and Roll. It raises about $260,000 and gathers thousands of walkers at four separate walking sites. The closest walk to our organization is at Stony Creek Metropark in Shelby Twp. on Sunday, September 25, 2011. The charity is also hosting Lou Gehrig Day at Comerica Park in Detroit on Saturday, June 25, 2011.

In addition to signing up walkers, Credit Unions can also sell bracelets and Lou Gehrig dollars. The Committee agreed to send e-mail blasts to all Metro East Credit Unions. In exchange, ALS can include partipcating Credit Unions in their newsletter. ALS of Michigan will also provide flyers for display, bracelets, and Lou Gehrig dollars. All Credit Unions should get their supply requests to Becky Reini. All checks will be mailed to Becky the first week of September.

Christian Financial CU
C/O Becky Reini
18441 Utica Rd.
Roseville, MI 48066

ELECTIONS:
Crystal reported that there was some confusion at the executive level regarding seat terms for the Charity Committee. She was confident that the committee agreed upon 2-year terms and that the current terms would expire in 2012. Ronnie Johnson found past meeting minutes that supported this. To comply with the Executive Committees request, Crystal asked that the committee consider a motion regarding staying with the same seat terms and current representatives.

Motion made by Ronnie Johnson and supported by Kathi Sitek to stay with the same seats until 2012. Motion carried.

NEXT MEETING:
Thursday, August 18, 2011 at Detroit Metropolitan Credit Union at 9:00 a.m.

ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by Ronnie Johnson and supported by Kathy Sitek to adjourn the meeting at 10:41 a.m. Motion carried.

______________________________             _________________________________
 Crystal Gracz, Chairperson                                  Antoinette Funke, Secretary/Julie Swidwinski, Acting Secretary