CHAPTER LEADERS FROM THE PAST

THE “WHO ARE WE?” QUIZ SHOW

The first Illinois CreditUnion Chapter was formed in 1930 andsubsequently namedafter this man.

Who is he and what’sthe Chapter’s currentname?

This is Ralph Long who chartered the Decatur Wabash Credit Union in 1927. He was a founding organizer of CUNA in 1934 and then held the ICUL Chair in 1939. After his death in 1940, the Central Illinois Chapter was named after him. . . .

until it was changed to its current name,the Greater Decatur Chapter.

This man was the Managing Director of the ICUL between1932 and 1955. The ClearingChapter was named after him. Later this Chapter was merged twice in quick succession.

Who is he, and what is hiscurrent Chapter affiliation?

This is Joseph S DeRamus.Editor of the Rock IslandRailroad Magazine until1932, he lost his job to the Depression and quickly tookthe new position of ManagingDirector of the ICUL.

The DeRamus Chapter is nowpart of the Chicago MetroChapter.

This man helped establishover 1,000 credit unions inhis lifetime, including manyin the Chicago area.

The Illinois Chapter namedafter him includes one of the largest and smallestcredit unions in Illinois.

Who is he?

This is Thomas W. Doig, the current namesake forwhat was once the Lake County Chapter. Doig became Managing Director of CUNA in 1945.

The Doig Chapter is hometo Baxter Credit Union ($1.4Billion) and Mt. Zion CreditUnion ($250,000)

Frank Seminara founded four creditunions in the 1950’S and was ICUL Chairman between 1963-65. A child Immigrant from Sicily and Bridgeport neighbor of Richard M. Daley, Frank would share a Chapter name with his friend. . . .

James Jackson chaired one credit unionand helped found another in Chicago’sMorgan Park area. Through the ChicagoUrban League and the ICUL, he pushedsaving for school among young people.

The Seminara/Jackson Chapter was originally what Chapter, and what Chapter is it in now?

Seminara and Jackson had the Southwest Chapter named after them.

Seminara/Jackson is now part of theChicago Metro Chapter.

In 1947, the East CentralChapter changed its namein honor of this man. Hehelped found half a dozencredit unions in the 1930s,and began working for the Illinois League in 1938 tohelp organize more.

Who is he and what’s theuniversity credit union hehelped found in the Chapternamed after him?

The East Central Chapterwas established in 1937 and was subsequently named the John L. Kellyafter the man who helpedfound the University of Illinois Employees CreditUnion.

Bill Brietzke is one of themost well-known creditunion promoters in theworld. Over the span of25 years, he organized andgrew credit unions in the State and nation, was Managing Director of ICUL,promoted a national ad Campaign, and much more.

What is the one credit unionorganization he helped found for which he is littleknown?

Bill Brietze, for whom theCentral Chicago Chapterwas renamed, used hisposition as ManagingDirector of the ICUL topromote and help establishthe World Extension Deptat CUNA.

Today, it is known as theWorld Council of CreditUnions with over 200 million members in 100 countries, and over $1.75 trillion in assets.

The Stumper: One man exemplified theearly days of organization, motivationand sheer force of will, fighting theestablished money lenders and then the Great Depression.

The other man came during the “GoldenEra” of the 50’s, the growing up periodwhen good financial management,liquidity and big ticket loan demandcame into prominence. And he playeda major role before the Corporates.

Who are we?

George G. Burnett, below, was a numbersman from Olin Employees Credit Union. He turned his credit union into a mini-corporate to help other credit unions manage their liquidity during the Boomer years of the 1950’s. And to this day, the Alton-Woods River Chapter retains his name.

Harry Perlee, above, was a labor leader in the Rockford area throughout the Great Depression. Charismatic, persuasive and courageous, he had a tremendous impact on the credit unionmovement in Rockford, and “RACCU”still acknowledges his legacy.