ROANOKE, Va.–After over six decades as a credit union volunteer, Cliff DeMars is stepping down.
DeMars began volunteering with the credit union in 1959 with the Federal Employees’ Credit Union of Petersburg. Va., before relocating to Roanoke, Va.
“I still remember the day I started my credit union career,” DeMars said in a statement. ”A postal employee, I walked into the office one day and J.P. Wyatt, who ran the local credit union, told me to give him $5.25, so I did. ‘Congratulations,’ he said, ‘you’re now a credit union member, and by the way, you’re now the credit union’s treasurer,’” DeMars related. “That was my start, and for many years, I ran that credit union out of my back pocket.”
DeMars is now bringing to a close his time as a volunteer with Blue Eagle Credit Union, a role he has served in since he came to the credit union in 1974.
‘Volunteering in My Blood’
“I guess you could say volunteering is in my blood. I firmly believe that no one volunteers by chance, it’s a choice. For me, it comes naturally, I guess,” DeMars said in a statement. “Our credit union movement was built on the work of volunteers and the ‘people helping people’ philosophy. I also believe that we gain much more from our volunteer service than we ever put in.”
Numerous Volunteeer Roles
DeMars has served long-term in many volunteer capacities, including:
- Treasurer, Federal Employees’ Credit Union of Petersburg
- Board of Directors, Blue Eagle Credit Union (and formerly Roanoke Postal Employees’ FCU),including the Chairman position
- Supervisory Committee, Blue Eagle Credit Union, including as chair
- Board of Directors, Virginia Credit Union League, serving as Secretary, Vice-Chairman, & Chairman
- Board Liaison, Virginia Credit Union League
- Community Involvement Committee, Virginia Credit Union League
- Governmental Affairs Committee, Virginia Credit Union League
- 75th Annual Meeting Planning Committee, Virginia Credit Union League’s
- Credit Union Preservation Committee, Virginia Credit Union League
- Credit Unions Care Foundation of Virginia
- Lions Club Free Dental Clinic
- Lions Club International
- Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child
- National Alliance on Mental Illness of Roanoke Valley
Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2014, DeMars received the James P. Kirsch Lifetime Achievement Award, an annual award that the Virginia Credit Union League gives to an individual who has made significant contributions to the credit union movement over the course of their career.
“The positive impact that Cliff has had on our credit union will have a ripple effect for decades to come.” Blue Eagle CU CEO Jeff Thompson said in a statement. “He will be missed as a volunteer, but I’m forever grateful for his service and passion he has shared – making us a better Credit Union and me, a better person.”