International Credit Union Day

Recap of our 2012 International Credit Union Day, Members Matter Most Events:

1. October 15-20th our staff may be wearing jeans. This privelage is granted based on contributions to the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF). NCUF was founded in 1980 as a charitable foundation and is recognized (in conjunction with Credit Union National Association [CUNA]) as the national charitable arm of America’s Credit Union Movement. Local contributions include flood relief donations to Central Middle School in 2007.
   
2. We will be collecting donations to give back to NCUF all week. Anyone who donates will receive a free can koozie.
   
3. October 18th is International Credit Union Day. We will be serving free coffee, cookies, and punch within our lobbies.
   
4. October 18th is also FEE FREE day! The following include fees which will be waived today in honor of our theme: Members Matter Most!

• Cashier’s Checks
  Money Orders
  Statement Copies
  Account Balancing Assistance
  Copy of Share Draft
  Christmas Club Early Withdraw
  Incoming/Outgoing Fax
  Check Cashing
  Visa Balance Research
  Visa Statement Copy

International Credit Union Day History:

Since 1948, International Credit Union Day has been celebrated annually on the third Thursday of October. Each year, the international event affords the opportunity to remember credit unions’ proud history and promote awareness of and support for the credit union difference. This year’s theme, “Members Matter Most,” celebrates the most important aspect of Credit Union’s- The Members.

Credit unions are recognized as a force for positive economic and social change and have provided significant value in both developed and emerging nations. International Credit Union Day is sponsored by World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), the international trade association and development agency for credit unions worldwide, and numerous national credit union trade associations and federations around the world.

What is International Credit Union Day/Why are we celebrating?

• ICU Day is designed to create awareness and celebrate the ways credit unions improve the lives of their members around the world.
• There are more than 49,000 credit unions in the world serving nearly 184 million people in 97 countries.
• This year’s theme, “Members Matter Most” celebrates Credit Union members. Our members are the people who make Credit Unions possible. We are celebrating to take at least one special day out of the year to recognize all of the people making our industry a success!

What makes credit unions unique?

• Equal Ownership – Credit unions are democratically controlled and member-owned and operated. Each member has equal ownership and one vote regardless of how much money he or she has in savings.
• Not For Profit – Credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives that provide a safe, convenient place for members to save money and access loans and other financial services at reasonable rates.
• Social Purpose: People Helping People – Credit unions exist to serve their members, not to make a profit. Every member counts, including those of modest means. This “people-first” philosophy impels credit unions and their employees to get involved in their community and support worthwhile causes.
• Volunteer Leadership – Each credit union is governed by a volunteer board of directors elected by and from the credit union’s membership.
• Financial Education for Members – Credit unions place particular importance on educational opportunities for their members and the public to help everyone become better educated consumers of financial services.
• Trust – This year, more than ever, credit unions have received positive press for being trustworthy and resilient institutions during a tumultuous time. Credit union members worldwide can be proud of these accomplishments and rest assured that their money is safe at the credit union.

Examples of how credit unions empower members to improve their lives:

• Amid the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, men and women alike are getting the chance to experience democracy first hand by voting at their local Islamic investment and finance cooperatives (credit unions).
• The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is funding a WOCCU program in Sri Lanka to expand membership and services to rural areas where many people have been internally displaced by a decades-long civil conflict.
• In Kenya, a credit union with a membership consisting of secondary school teachers offers an HIV/AIDS peer education training program to help members help their communities
• In Mexico, credit union field officers physically take credit union services to the poor in marginalized areas of the country through new handheld technologies, giving them an opportunity and affordable alternative to access financial services.
• In Haiti, credit unions have strived to maintain operations in the face of a catastrophic disaster, so that their members have access to the resources they need to begin rebuilding their lives and homes after last year’s devastating earthquake.
• In the U.S., credit unions are committed to providing a safe and affordable alternative to predatory payday lenders. Credit unions are always looking for opportunities to bring underserved communities into a mainstream financial institution, providing access to affordable services.