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view it online at http://www.ohiocreditunions.org/members/outreach/OCUSOutreachNewsletter.htm.

 

Introducing ...
Welcome to Above and Beyond, a new semi-annual electronic newsletter that explores community outreach initiatives and opportunities, along with activities of the Ohio Credit Union Foundation. This publication will share real-world examples of credit union outreach initiatives that are changing lives and improving communities throughout Ohio. Additionally, Above and Beyond will detail the latest accomplishments of and opportunities available through the Foundation.
 
Ohio CU Movement to become financial education leader
An unprecedented statewide financial education initiative that will position the Ohio Credit Union Movement as the financial education leader in the state will be unveiled at the Ohio Credit Union League's October Credit Union Forum on Public Affairs, and will be showcased at subsequent workshops around the state.

The proposed financial education initiative was presented last week by League staff to the League Board, the Ohio Credit Union Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Ohio Credit Union Defense Coalition Advisory Council. Each provided enthusiastic support and encouragement, and instructed staff to move ahead with the financial education strategy. The initiative is based on Ohio-specific research commissioned by the League in which students, parents, educators, and professional experts from across the state were interviewed.

“We are going to build a unique, long-term financial education program that will make a difference for Ohio students, and position Ohio credit unions as the visible, top-of-mind experts for consumers, the media, and government officials,” said Becky Hart, League Vice President of Public Affairs and Foundation Executive Director. “It will be the credit unions’ financial education solutions that emerge from the clutter and meet what we all know is a significant public need.”

To hear the details, plan to attend the Credit Union Forum on Public Affairs, Oct. 16-17.


CU Forum on Public Affairs
There is an inextricable strategic link between outreach initiatives and government affairs. The League’s 2007 Credit Union Forum on Public Affairs will explore how the two are related and how your credit union’s outreach activities can open the door to building relationships with lawmakers and positive public policy. Set aside Oct. 16-17 to hear from expert Michael Dunn about the pyramid of political success. Join the League’s significant initiative to increase Ohioans’ financial literacy – see the research, hear the plan, be the solution. Get a first look at the second edition of the League’s credit union “storybook,” which details credit unions making a difference in peoples’ lives through financial education. Also hear from Ohio Division of Financial Institutions Deputy Superintendent of CUs Rose Bartolomucci and practice your relationship-building skills during a legislative reception with state lawmakers. Register today at the link below.
http://www.ohiocreditunions.org/Govt/2007CUPublicAffairsForum.htm


Statewide workshops
This fall, the League will host seminars showcasing the turnkey financial education programs and resources available to credit unions, as part of its ambitious Ohio Credit Union Public Advocacy Program. The four seminars held throughout the state will explore the implementation of Thrive by Five, BizKid$, and the National Endowment for Financial Education High School Financial Planning Program. To learn more about these programs, see the articles later in this newsletter. Additionally, the plan for the League's statewide financial education initiative will be shared. The seminars will be held Sept. 18 in Dayton/Cincinnati, Oct. 23 in Akron/Canton/Cleveland, Oct. 24 in Toledo/Northwest Ohio, and Nov. 7 in Chillicothe/Southeast Ohio. Anyone interested in starting or expanding financial education to members or the community is encouraged to attend. Attendees will learn what grade levels their efforts will have the most impact on, what parents and educators think about financial education, ideas for working with local schools and select employee groups, what materials are available, and how to obtain outreach funding. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. For more information or to register, contact League Outreach Manager Laura Busque at (800) 486-2917 or lbusque@ohiocul.org.



League welcomes new Outreach Manager
Laura Busque joined the Ohio Credit Union League in July as the new Outreach Manager. She has a background in teaching, education, and social work which includes grantwriting and strategic planning. Laura will lead the League's outreach initiatives and help raise awareness of the Ohio Credit Union Foundation, and assist with its annual fundraising and grantmaking goals. She looks forward to assisting credit unions and their members with their educational and outreach endeavors. Contact Laura at (800) 486-2917 or lbusque@ohiocul.org.



Foundation mid-year activities and accomplishments
In the first six months of 2007, the Ohio Credit Union Foundation (OCUF) funded $62,601 in grants to Ohio credit unions.

OCUF funded six outreach grants for activities such as a financial education program for grade school and high school students, implementation of a Consumer Credit Counseling checking program, funding for the 2007 Women and Money seminar series offered by the Ohio Treasurer’s office, promotion of the National Endowment for Financial Education High School Financial Planning Program, and transportation to an educational event at the Ohio Statehouse.

Educational grants allowed Ohio credit union leaders to attend 25 professional development opportunities, including the Credit Union National Association’s (CUNA) America’s Credit Union Conference and Expo, Business Development School, Business Lending Certificate Institute, Financial Counseling School, Governmental Affairs Conference, Management School, and Regulatory Compliance School; CUNA Mutual Group’s Discovery Conference; Credit Union Executives Society’s CEO Institute; National Credit Union Foundation’s Development Education Training; and National Federation of Community Development training.

A disaster relief grant was issued by OCUF to Associated School ECU to assist Mahoning County Career and Technical Center teachers who lost personal classroom supplies when a fire destroyed a portion of the school, which is a select employee group of the credit union.



Sources of Foundation’s funding
The Ohio Credit Union Foundation’s grantmaking efforts are funded entirely through the generosity and support of the Ohio Credit Union Movement. Funding sources include: investments in the National Credit Union Foundation Community Investment Fund (CIF); contributions from credit unions, business partners, chapters, and individuals; and special event fundraisers.
 

2007 OCUF Revenue Composition




Help your CU, OCUF, and NCUF with one investment -- the CIF
The Community Investment Fund (CIF) is a social investment option that benefits your credit union, the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF), and the Ohio Credit Union Foundation (OCUF). It's simple: Your credit union invests in a designated CIF vehicle through Corporate One Federal Credit Union. You can choose from a 3-year or 5-year fixed-rate CD, a 90-day notice account, or any number of available structured products. Dividends are paid directly to your credit union, while up to 2% of the CIF investment dividends are split evenly between the NCUF and the OCUF. We urge your credit union to consider a CIF investment to help support educational and outreach initiatives that promote financial independence through credit unions. Ohio is currently ranked 7th in the nation for CIF investments, with 41 of the state’s credit unions participating. To make a CIF investment, call Corporate One Federal Credit Union’s Member Services Department at (866) 692-6771. Contact Laura Busque with questions about CIF or the OCUF at (800) 486-2917 or lbusque@ohiocul.org.



Grant Spotlight

Professional Development:
Teri Curtis of A.O. Smith EFCU received an Ohio Credit Union Foundation (OCUF) professional development grant to attend CUNA's America’s Credit Union Conference and Expo in June. The grant provided Teri with the opportunity to collaborate with credit union leaders on a national level. “The experience reinforced the fellowship that I have experienced at the state convention,” said Curtis. “In addition, I received valuable marketing ideas that will help my credit union attract new members.”

Outreach: Parish Federal CU received an OCUF outreach grant to expand its financial education program for local grade school and junior high school students. The S.A.V.E.S. (Schools Advocate the Value of Early Savings) program is in its third year of successfully teaching early savings habits and money management skills. A credit union employee visits the school so students can open an account and make deposits. During the 2005-2006 school year, 103 student members made routine deposits. Even those as small as a few cents were accepted. Three schools located in the credit union’s field of membership received bi-weekly classroom visits. Grade-specific lessons are taught by a credit union employee who attends Parent Teacher Organization and teacher meetings to ensure that student needs are being met. Parish FCU believes that by serving the younger generation, they are creating financially knowledgeable and responsible individuals who will benefit the community as a whole when they reach adulthood.

Disaster Relief: Superior Federal Credit Union received an OCUF disaster relief grant to provide aide to Ottawa area residents impacted by the August 2007 flood. Superior FCU employees were on-hand to assist area residents during the flood and have dedicated several additional hours to the community's clean-up effort. Grant funds will assist members who have been displaced from their homes and help teachers replace their educational materials. As a long-term solution for flood victims, Superior FCU cut its loan rates for affected members and matched the grant funds provided by the Foundation. Superior FCU is committed to helping residents in the Ottawa area re-build everything that was lost as quickly and conveniently as possible.

 
 
2007 CIF Participants
Associated School ECU
AurGroup Financial CU
BMI FCU
Buckeye State CU
Burger FCU
Cardinal Community CU
Cincinnati Central CU
CME FCU
Communicating Arts CU
Community United CU
Corporate One FCU
Credit Union of Ohio
Day Air CU
Dayton Firefighters FCU
Dover-Phila FCU
Faith Community United CU
Fiberglas FCU
Firefighters Community FCU
Geauga CU
Gorman Rupp & Associates CU
Greater Warren Community FCU
Harvest FCU
Hopewell FCU
Jeep Country FCU
Kemba CU
KEMBA Financial CU
Kent CU
Kyger Creek CU
Middletown City EFCU
Midwest Community FCU
Millstream Area CU
Ohio Credit Union Foundation
Ohio Educational CU
Parish FCU
Sharefax CU
Superior FCU
Toledo Area Community CU
Toledo Postal ECU
TopMark FCU
Vacationland FCU
Wright Patt CU


Thanks to the volunteer leaders of Ohio's outreach initiatives

Ohio Credit Union Foundation Board of Trustees

Chair
Kathy Kanipe
Parish FCU

Vice Chair
Bill Herring
Cincinnati Central CU

Secretary
Sonja Delaney
Midwest Community FCU

Treasurer
Willard Hopkins
First Miami Univ. Student & Alumni FCU

Lee Butke
Corporate One FCU
Steve Behler
Kemba CU
Rita Haynes
Faith Community United CU
Tom Furrey
Western CU
 

Ex officio
Paul Mercer
Ohio CU League

 
   

Credit Union Outreach Solutions Board of Managers

Chair
William Burke
Day Air CU
Vice Chair
Richard Maslyk
MidState Educators CU
Secretary/
Treasurer
Catherine Herring
Communicating Arts CU
Doug Fecher
Wright-Patt CU
Ex officio
Paul Mercer
Ohio CU League
Ex officio
Brett Thompson
Wisconsin CU League
   



Notable quotes from
OCUF grant recipients

“I do not think that we as credit union professionals can truly grasp the credit union movement as a whole until we experience training like [the National Credit Union Foundation’s Development Educator Program].”
-- Josh Kurtz, Millstream Area CU

“Students had to create a budget, balance a checkbook, find housing, purchase insurance, and buy a vehicle using their assigned salary. They said that they learned a lot about real world expenses.”
-- Tricia Hale, Ohio University CU

“This is our opportunity to uniquely practice the credit union philosophy of People Helping People.”
-- Kimberly Stillwagon, Associated School ECU


“I am fortunate to work for a credit union in Ohio, a state that recognizes the benefit of [the CUNA Management School] program and generously offers so many scholarships.”
 -- Cheryl Dorman, Mercy Health Partners FCU



Upcoming Educational Scholarship Opportunities
CUNA Certified Financial Counselor School
Oct. 1-4, Columbia, MD
Work toward your Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) designation. Audience: financial counseling, member servicing, collections, and loan department staff.

CUNA Community Credit Union Conference
Oct. 15–18, Uncasville, CT
Develop a deeper understanding of the challenges, solutions, and trends for community credit unions. Hear from inspiring speakers and learn how to provide innovative and affordable services to a wider array of members. Audience: CEOs, board members, and operations and marketing staff of credit unions with community charters or considering applying for one.

CU Forum on Public Affairs
Oct. 16-17, Columbus, OH
Discover the critical link between credit union outreach initiatives and government affairs. Join the League’s significant initiative to increase Ohioans’ financial literacy – see the research, hear the plan, be the solution.

Your Essential Strategies Summit 2007
Dec. 3–5, Austin, TX
Foster ideas and develop strategies through guided workgroups, interact with a wide range of young adults, learn about their financial experiences, and discover how innovative credit unions are successfully serving young adults. Audience: CEOs, and marketing, operations, and lending staff.

For more information about these professional development opportunities, contact League Education Services Manager Joshua Ream at (800) 486-2917 or jreams@ohiocul.org.

What the Ohio CU Foundation means to you
The Ohio Credit Union Foundation (OCUF) is the philanthropic arm of the Ohio Credit Union System and supports educational and outreach initiatives that promote financial independence through credit unions. OCUF provides grant funding for professional development opportunities for credit union staff and volunteers. Grant dollars are also awarded for outreach initiatives that provide individuals with the financial tools and services needed to promote wealth-building, such as programs for youth, adults, the unbanked, and the underserved; payday lending and check-cashing alternatives; tax preparation services; and international remittances. In addition, disaster relief grants are available to help credit unions, their members, and communities following a catastrophic event.



Common questions about OCUF
Who can apply for OCUF grants?
Every credit union in Ohio can apply for OCUF grant assistance, regardless of their asset size. Need is determined on a case-by-case basis, and is assessed by the project’s measurable impact, innovation, and potential for replication. Professional development scholarships are granted to strengthen individuals’ abilities and the future of their credit union. Outreach grants, including disaster relief grants, are awarded to credit unions that demonstrate community need and partnerships.

Must our credit union have a community charter to offer outreach?
No. Community outreach initiatives are the responsibility of all credit unions -- large and small, urban and rural, community and select employee group based. Outreach can focus on financial education, as well as other activities that showcase your credit union’s commitment to the community, such as financial education initiatives to various populations, partnerships with non-profits, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, international remittance program implementation, or numerous other outreach activities.

Does a credit union have to belong to the Ohio Credit Union League to apply for OCUF grant funds?
No. The Ohio Credit Union Foundation is a not-for-profit entity that serves all of the state’s credit unions. Contributions to the OCUF are accepted from both affiliated and non-affiliated credit unions.

How do I apply for an educational, outreach, or disaster relief grant?
The application process is simple and straightforward. Visit the Foundation Web site at the link below for grant applications and a brief synopsis of the grant process.
http://www.ohiocreditunions.org/Foundation/Foundation.htm.

Who do I call with questions about OCUF?
Contact Ohio Credit Union League Outreach Manager Laura Busque at lbusque@ohiocul.org or VP of Public Affairs and OCUF Executive Director Becky Hart at rhart@ohiocul.org, or by phone at (800) 486-2917 with questions regarding the Foundation, grants, and outreach initiatives, or for assistance with a grant application.



Grants available for your professional development
The Ohio Credit Union Foundation (OCUF) supports the professional development and continued education of credit union staff and volunteers. Professional development grants are awarded for Ohio, national, and international workshops, seminars, and conferences, Webinars, eSchools, and self-study programs. Grants are awarded on the basis of need, the potential impact on the credit union, and the applicant’s past involvement within the Credit Union Movement. Available professional development grants:
 
   General Professional Development
Available for conferences, workshops, and online and self-study opportunities relevant to the credit union movement by strengthening an employee’s or volunteer’s abilities, as well as the future of their credit union
 
  Richard Blake Scholarship
Honors former Ohio Credit Union League chairman and director emeritus Richard Blake and provides funds for one credit union leader to attend the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Governmental Affairs Conference held each February in Washington, D.C.
 
  Jacquie Fisher Memorial Scholarship
Honors Jacquie Fisher, a long-time employee of the League and CUNA, and provides one credit union leader tuition for one year of CUNA Management School. Credit union employees may apply for the scholarship each year that tuition assistance is needed
 
  Louise McCarren Herring Development Education Scholarship
Scholarships are available to attend the National Credit Union Foundation’s Development Education (DE) program held each April and August
. The DE program is an intensive training that explores the cooperative business model and how the Credit Union Movement can survive.




Cutting-edge outreach initiatives
StretchPay:
The credit union salary advance alternative to expensive for-profit, payday lenders designed to help members who need small-dollar affordable loans until they receive their regularly-scheduled paycheck. Credit unions offer StretchPay loans for a small annual fee and an interest rate of around 18% APR. The annual fees paid by the member are pooled into a “guarantee fund” that is used to offset participating credit union losses. StretchPay borrowers must repay their entire loan balance every 30 days before subsequent advances are permitted, and have the option of receiving financial education. Convenient to borrowers, StretchPay uses minimal underwriting criteria.

Currently, 32 credit unions in Ohio, Michigan, and Maryland offer StretchPay. To learn more about StretchPay, including the program’s pre-made marketing templates and implementation process, contact Ohio Credit Union League Outreach Manager Laura Busque or VP of Public Affairs Becky Hart at (800) 486-2917, or lbusque@ohiocul.org and rhart@ohiocul.org. Additional information can be found at the StretchPay Web site at the link below.
http://www.ohiocreditunions.org/StretchPay.htm

International Remittance Network (IRnet): A reliable, competitively-priced international money transfer service operated by the World Council of Credit Unions. Remittances can be sent to more than 40 countries worldwide with more than 33,000 points of payment. Credit unions can engage the unbanked in their community by adding money transfer services to their product lineup. To learn more about IRnet, contact League Outreach Manager Laura Busque at (800) 486-2917 or lbusque@ohiocul.org.

BizKid$: A half-hour Public Broadcasting System television series on entrepreneurship and financial literacy that teaches youth how to make and manage money. The show is entirely underwritten by America’s Credit Unions. A classroom curriculum written by Junior Achievement accompanies the 13-episode series. For more information, visit www.jabizkids.com or call League Outreach Manager Laura Busque at (800) 486-2917.

High School Financial Planning Program: The National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) has unveiled an updated version of its High School Financial Planning Program (HSFPP). Consisting of an instructor’s manual, student guide, and Web site, the HSFPP teaches creating a financial plan, budgeting, good and bad debt, insurance, and more to high school juniors and seniors. Available at no cost, the NEFE HSFPP creates many opportunities for credit unions to work with local high schools. For more information, visit http://hsfpp.nefe.org or contact League Education Services Manager Joshua Reams at (800) 486-2917 or jreams@ohiocul.org.

Thrive by Five: Designed by the Credit Union National Association, teaches preschoolers about spending and saving through a variety of parent-child activities. Available at no cost, the eight activities teach children how money works and what it can do, how a family uses money, and good money management skills. Activities are available for download in English and Spanish at www.creditunion.coop.