Update 4/21/21
In the event of inclement weather at the time of our annual meeting this evening, Freedom Credit Union may postpone the meeting until Wednesday, April 28th for the safety of our attendees. If postponed, the meeting will be held at the time and place of the original announcement. We are doing this due to the pandemic, we do not have the ability to move the meeting inside and ensure that everyone will be socially distanced.
In order to facilitate this change, if necessary, we will convene the meeting at 4:30 with a minimum quorum of 20 members. We will then immediately move to suspend the meeting until 4/28/2021 and end the meeting. No other business will be conducted at this meeting if this action is required.
On March 10, 2021, we notified you about that annual meeting and the opportunity to vote for the Board of Directors will be held on:
Wednesday, April 21 from 4:30–5:45 PM
77 Boylston Street in Springfield.
That notice described a drive-up voting process and invited all members to participate.
Three members are presently directors standing for reelection: Donald Emerson, John Reigner and Donald Senecal. All three candidates were members in good standing and submitted their intent to stand for re-election to the Clerk more than 30 days in advance of the annual meeting. No other members submitted their intent to stand for election. Per the credit union’s by-laws, nominations cannot be accepted by the floor.
Given the three available positions, the qualification of three candidates and the prohibition on nominations from the floor, the outcome of the election is inevitable. Due to the risks associated with a prolonged gathering and a paper ballot process, and in the interest of protecting the members and employees of Freedom Credit Union from Covid-19, we intend to modify the format of the meeting.
The meeting will open at 4:30 PM as scheduled. At 5:00 PM, the formal portion of the meeting will begin. The meeting will be limited to those matters required at an annual meeting, including the election of directors. To accomplish the election, the Chairman will seek a voice vote motion for the Clerk to cast one ballot for the slate of candidates as presented by the Nominating Committee. If a motion is made and seconded by the board, a voice vote and show of hands of the members present will be taken to approve the slate of candidates as presented by the Nominating Committee.
As a credit union member, you are welcome to attend the Annual Meeting. However, we wanted members to be aware of the limited format and voice vote before they decide to attend during the on-going pandemic.
There will be no formal presentations by the Board or Management and food will not be provided. We will also forego this year’s prize drawings and will instead make a donation on behalf of our members to a local charity or charities.
If you choose to attend the meeting, please note these instructions:
- When you arrive, enter the parking lot using the Emery Street entrance.
- You will be verified by a Freedom Credit Union representative as a member.
- You can then pull into a parking spot to listen to the business portion of the meeting or following our state guidelines attend the meeting in the parking lot while wearing a mask and staying socially distanced from all attendees.
A public announcement of the vote will be made on the premises and will be posted to our website as soon as possible.
We appreciate your understanding and look forward to your participation.
Posted March 10, 2021
As a credit union member, you have a say in how Freedom Credit Union is run and can vote for the Board of Directors each year. Due to the ongoing restrictions on public gatherings, we are once again adapting the format of our Annual Meeting and using a drive-up voting process. We invite you to participate.
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
4:30–5:45 PM
77 Boylston Street, Springfield
The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to:
- Elect members for the Board of Directors
- Transact any and all business that may legally come before the meeting
- Other Business
If you have your own primary share savings account at Freedom Credit Union and are over the age of 18, you have equal ownership and one vote in the credit union.
Those directors whose terms are standing for reelection are:
- Donald Emerson
- John Reigner
- Donald Senecal
Candidates for the Board of Directors are required to have three months as a member. They must signify their intention in writing to the Clerk at least 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting. Nominations will not be accepted at the meeting.
In order to comply with state safety protocols, the meeting will begin at 4:30 PM and then be recessed to conduct the annual election of Directors as shown below. At 5:30 PM, the meeting will be reconvened to complete outstanding business items.
There will be no formal presentations by the Board or Management and food will not be provided. We will also forego this year’s prize drawings and in lieu of that, we shall make a donation on behalf of our members to a local charity or charities.
Please wear a mask when you come to vote.
- When you arrive, enter the parking lot using the Emery Street entrance.
- You will be verified by a Freedom Credit Union representative as a member.
- Once confirmed, you will receive a packet containing a ballot, pen and hand sanitizer in a sealed plastic bag.
- You can then pull into a parking spot to listen to the business portion of the meeting and to safely complete the ballot.
- As you exit out the Boylston Street exit, a Freedom Credit Union representative will collect your ballot from you. The pen and hand sanitizer are yours to keep.
Once voting ends, the ballots will be safely counted, and the votes tabulated. A public announcement of the vote will be made on the premises and will be posted to our website as soon as possible.
We appreciate your understanding and look forward to your participation.