LASCU celebrates its 68th ‘Meeting of the Members’ with a 1940s theme Thursday evening at Fuller Lodge. From left, LASCU CEO/President Matt Schmidt, Member Service Representatives Denise Gutierrez and Camille Romero and Board Chairman Bill Boedeker. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Scene from LASCU’s 68th ‘Meeting of the Members’ Thursday evening at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos Schools Credit Union (LASCU) celebrated its 68th “Meeting of the Members” with a 1940’s theme in honor of the Oppenheimer movie premiering this summer.
“Similar to the 1940’s, credit unions today offer a safe alternative to banks and we don’t get involved in risky business,” LASCU CEO/President Matt Schmidt. “Credit unions are the trusted community partner during times of uncertainty because we are for people, not profit.”
LASCU has been providing high-quality, low-cost financial services to the educational community in New Mexico ‘s Los Alamos County. Today, Los Alamos Schools Credit Union is a $21 million financial institution serving nearly 1,800 members.
As a financial cooperative, LASCU provides its members with financial products and services featuring more attractive rates and no or lower fees than generally offered at other financial institutions. Its cooperative structure distinguishes the Credit Union from other for-profit financial institutions.
Because the Credit Union is member-owned and Los Alamos County is home, LASCU is actively involved in school and community related projects.
LASCU is governed by a Board of Directors that establishes and reviews policy. These volunteer Directors are Credit Union members elected by the membership. All members of the Credit Union are entitled to vote and even run for Board of Director or Supervisory Committee positions.
LASCU History:
In January of 1955, Ruby Meaders founded the Los Alamos Schools Credit Union, out of her home just after the unveiling of the “Secret City”, of Los Alamos. She was more than glad to help with the need for non-governmental businesses like grocery stores and financial institutions.
Ruby ran Los Alamos Schools Credit Union out of her home for about 5 years before moving into its current location and graciously gave up her own home phone number, which we still use to this day.
Bill Hudson was a founding member and volunteer Board member when the Credit Union began. He helped organize the dozen or so teachers to pool their money to start the Credit Union. Like Hudson’s known role and influence in the community, he was a staunch supporter of the local credit union movement, not-for-profit philosophy and principal of people helping people. Hudson was a regular member and attended every annual meeting for more than 55 years.
LASCU has always been a state chartered credit union. Its Credit Union name reflects those it serves, the Los Alamos and White Rock Education Community and their families.
To learn more, visit lascu.org.
Announcing gift winners at the 68th ‘Meeting of the Members’ celebration Thursday evening at Fuller Lodge, from left, LASCU CEO/President Matt Schmidt, Executive Vice President Bethany Hayward, Member Service Representatives Denise Gutierrez and Camille Romero and Board Chairman Bill Board Chairman Bill Boedeker. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Lil Ortega and her daughter Emily Schmidt embrace the 1940s theme at the LASCU ‘Meeting of the Members’ Thursday evening at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Scene from LASCU’s 68th ‘Meeting of the Members’ Thursday evening at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Scene from LASCU’s 68th ‘Meeting of the Members’ Thursday evening at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
LASCU CEO/President Matt Schmidt with his Mother-In-Law Lil Ortega in their 1940s outfits at the LASCU ‘Meeting of the Members’ Thursday evening at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Among members attending the LASCU ‘Meeting of the Members’ Thursday evening at Fuller Lodge, at left, Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation President Judy Bjarke-McKenzie, second from left, Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation Executive Director Jenny McCumber and at right newly elected LASCU Supervisory Committee Member Andrea Determan. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The children of LASCU CEO/President Matt Schmidt and his wife Emily Schmidt, from left, Olivia, Adam and Sophie Schmidt. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
LASCU CEO/President Matt Schmidt welcomes guests to the 68th ‘Meeting of the Members’ Thursday evening at Fuller Lodge. He celebrated his 20th year with LASCU last August. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The LASCU annual ‘Meeting of the Members’ was catered by Chartwells Food Services. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com