March 2009 - Montana Credit Union Network

March 2009
MONTANA CREDIT UNIONS
Making a Difference in their Communities
CU COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
CONSUMER RESOURCE CENTERS
MONTANA CUs BRANCH OUT
pg 3
pg 5
pg 14
editorial & reports
From My Perspective
co v er story
CUs are Good
Corporate Citizens
page 3
MCUCD and VISTA
Redefining Community
Involvement
page 5
MCUN Launches
Revised Website
page 6
Legislator Reception
Well Attended
page 7
One of the most satisfying (not to mention fun) parts
of my job has always been organizing our community
service projects here at the credit union. Our employees, members, and the general public all benefit from
the work we do in the community—The “people
helping people” spirit is something that we try to live
and breathe.
I also feel fortunate to be a member of such a committed and involved Chapter. The seven credit unions
in the Giant Springs Chapter have collaborated on a
variety of projects over the years.
Something we recently worked on is a benefit called
Canstruction. This is a nation-wide competition in
which teams build incredible structures made entirely
from canned foods. The aim of the competition is to
help fight hunger in our communities by raising public awareness. All food and money raised is donated to
our local food bank.
Montana's Certified
"REAL Deal" CUs
page 13
Last year, over 20 Chapter volunteers spent 7 hours
building Lightning McQueen, from the Disney-
~ In Each Issue ~
Hot Fla hes
page
Cover Story. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Pixar movie “Cars,”
out of 3,000 cans.
Our entry, “Together
we CAN win the
race against hunger,”
garnered the coveted “Juror’s Choice”
award and was forwarded on to comLael Humble and other Giant Springs
pete at the national
Chapter members work together to
level. We had such a assemble "Lightning McQueen."
great time last year, we decided to participate again,
this time building a giant football helmet, titled
“Together we CAN tackle hunger.”
Community involvement is a critical component of the
credit union movement. It is truly a privilege to work
in an industry that embodies the cooperative spirit.
Lael Humble is the VP of Marketing & Training at Montana Federal Credit Union. She also serves as Historian for
the Giant Springs Chapter of Credit Unions.
Philosophy in Action. . . . . . . . . . 4
For Your Dues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 7
League Service Group. . . . . . . . 8, 9
TSCCU Update . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 11
CUsource Update. . . . . . . . . . 12, 13
Recognition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Network News
Publication Staff
Beth Satre
Editor and Design/Layout
Photographer
Editorial Board
Tracie Kenyon, Tabitha Garvin,
Tracy Houck, Steve Howke,
Donya Parrish, Bob Pyfer,
Jeanne Saarinen, Karen Smith,
Ranel Smith, Tracy Thornburg
2—network news
Leslie: This issue is about “community involvement.”
Tracie: Which we’ve defined as involvement in programs that makes a business a good corporate citizen.
Leslie: I bet that credit unions across Montana provide so many excellent examples of how they are involved in their communities that we can’t even highlight them all in this issue!
Tracie: You’re right about that! I’ve included many in
the cover story and we’re also updating our website to
include everyone.
Leslie: I seem to remember that the Network
staff has a unique opportunity for community
involvement…
Tracie: I’m glad you mentioned that…several years
ago the League and LSG boards approved a policy
that allows Network staff to take four hours of paid
time each month to volunteer.
Leslie: I recall when you brought that policy to us,
you indicated that the Network doesn’t have much
Tracie Kenyon
Leslie Hunter
available cash for contributions but that we could
make a big contribution to the community by allowing staff volunteer time … so where does your team
spend their hours?
Tracie: Well, we have one who greets at the middle school each week; another that teaches a weekly
spelling lesson in an elementary classroom; one staff
member is assisting with the Relay for Life; one that
does various graphic designs for several non-profits;
someone who takes pictures for the high school tennis
teams; and several who volunteer at their churches.
Leslie: Wow—the Network staff is really leaving
their mark in your community and, at the same time,
representing Montana’s credit unions well!
Cover Story
Community Engagement
CREDIT UNIONS are good corporate citizens
If we added up all of the hours that Montana’s credit
unions donate to their communities, we would be
astounded—the same with all the monetary contributions they make. Montana’s credit unions are
engaged corporate citizens in every sense. Here is a
sampling of some amazing programs.…
As 2009 is shaping up to be an economically trying time, Gateway Community FCU will be donating an additional $25,000 to a variety of local
charities and community projects. To begin the
year, they presented the Missoula Food Bank a
check for $5,500.
Sky Federal Credit Union offers an annual “Community Appreciation Day” and invites their entire
community for free hot dogs, chips, soda pop, and
document shredding.
Every time the local baseball team
(GF Voyagers)
has a strike-out
during a home
game, Russell
Country FCU
donates $2 to
the Great Falls
Mercy Home, a
shelter for battered women and
children.
Rocky Mountain Credit Union has a variety of staff
members volunteering their time as board members
for youth-related organizations. The credit union has
offered each staff member ten hours of paid volunteer time annually.
Participating in a large community food drive,
“Flakesgiving,” Avanta FCU and CUsource employees teamed to raise money to feed 75 families—additionally, the credit union donated enough to feed another 25 families and staff helped package the meals.
EDTECH FCU is a long-time sponsor of the
“Newspaper in Education” programs for Butte and
surrounding areas which provides newspapers to all
area schools. Teachers use this valuable resource to
teach students about local and national news events.
Valley FCU was a sponsor in the “Chicks In Science”
event. Approximately 1,000 girls from 4th through
8th grade participated in the “Dollars & Cents”
game where they could win cash prizes!
During Youth Week, Fergus FCU sponsors a carnival and petting zoo for local children, bringing
in horses, goats, chickens, and lambs from local
4-H members.
At Glendive BN
ABOVE: Every year, SKY FCU Staff "flocks" area homes and businesses
FCU, the credit
with pink flamingos in exchange for donations to Relay for Life.
union awards
(Photo courtesy of Anna DeYoung)
high grade-point
averages with money! They place the money directly
into the member’s account, send them a congratulatory letter, and put their name in the credit union
newsletter.
Great Falls Teachers FCU set a goal to have 100%
staff participation in United Way—once that, and
their monetary goal was met, the management team
cooked the staff breakfast!
Dave Ramsey’s “Financial Peace University” courses
are excellent; Lincoln County CU sponsors them
and attracts approximately 100 households.
Montana First CU provides local schools on-site deposit capabilities—credit union staff members visit
area schools to take student deposits, open accounts,
and offer financial education courses. Financial information is sent home for parents too!
In addition to providing some paid volunteer time,
Missoula FCU also matches up to $100 in cash donations each employee makes throughout the year…
increasing the impacts each of them have on the
charities they believe in.
Annually, EnerGComm FCU offers a skip-a-loan
payment (for a fee)—their board donates the proceeds to different organizations. This past year, they
donated to a local family that is struggling with
health problems.
Financial education is a big component of Richland
FCU’s community involvement—from checking
account education for area 6th graders to predatory
lending presentations to 12th graders—they cover all
of the financial bases.
network news—3
Philosophy in action
Helping You Educate Your Members by Jeanne saarinen
don't forget
to check out
MCUCD's New
Website
“Where do I get a free copy of my credit report?”
“What do I do if I’m a victim of identity theft?”
“How do I designate my son as Power of Attorney?”
These are just a few questions members pose to credit
union staff each day. Can you help when these questions arise?
MCUCD’s goal is to help each credit union offer easy
and ongoing access to pertinent national and Montana-specific resources on a variety of topics. These
resources are to be made available through a comprehensive one-stop web resource; a public Internet station; an educational display in the credit union lobby;
and extensive community outreach. Collectively
this is called a “Consumer Resource Center.”
Currently, in each issue of the President’s Report,
MCUCD shares a “Do Your Members Know?”
section, which we hope credit unions use as
newsletter articles. These timely educational pieces
tie in with more information on that topic at www.
montanacreditunions.coop. AmeriCorps*VISTA
member Dan Veale will be heading up this Consumer Resource Center project for MCUCD.
Funding for the project came from the USDA
Rural Community Development
Initiative.
welcome aboard
Credit unions helping members
to be smarter and safer financial
consumers has the potential for a
broad reach. Consider what Jeanne
M. Hogarth, Manager of Consumer
Education and Research for the Federal Reserve Board, said in her report
titled “Financial Education and Economic Development.”
In January, Dan Veale moved from
Michigan to Montana as the ninth
Americorps*VISTA member to join
the MCUCD team.
He brought with him a lot of positive
energy, dedication to making a difference, and excitement about credit
unions and the Community Resource Center project, which he will
be spearheading. In fact, he counts
himself lucky to be here.…
Dan Veale
As Dan explains: “The career path of a History major
with three Business minors is not likely going to be
very typical. Especially if that individual eventually
wants to live and work as a community developer in
East Africa. Amazingly, though, there is at least one
great fit—Montana Credit Unions for Community
Development. The values, mission, vision, and community at MCUCD are beyond excellent, as is the
commitment to serve the less fortunate.”
As Dan further notes, “to be able to serve my country
is great. But, to be able to serve alongside such a great
organization—wow! What a joy it is to be here!”
4—network news
Well, Dan, thanks so much for your willingness to
serve Montana’s credit unions and communities.
It's a joy to have you on the MCUCD team!
“Drop a rock into a lake or pond—
the ripples extend outward with wider and wider
effects. So it is also with financial education.
Well-informed, well-educated consumers can create economic ripples. They make better financial
decisions for themselves and their families, increasing their economic security and well being.
They are in a position to obtain better jobs and
create a desirable pool of labor for employers. Secure families are more involved in their communities as home owners and voters. They are more
involved as parents with their children’s schools
and teachers, enabling better educational and
economic outcomes for their children. They contribute to vital, thriving communities, further
fostering community economic development.
Thus, being financially literate is not only important to the individual household and family, it’s
also important to communities and societies.”
philosophy in action
MCUCD and Americorps*VISTA
Redefining Community Involvement by Michelle Hauer
The phrase “community involvement” often conjures
up images of local volunteers mentoring children,
assisting the elderly, donating time to the local food
bank, and things of this nature. Tax credits, individual development accounts, and student savings
accounts never entered my frame of reference as to
what I considered community involvement. Only in
working with MCUCD, did I come to understand
that both “community” and “involvement” reach far
beyond my original assumptions.
MCUCD is truly in the forefront of
groundbreaking initiatives that
have great impact throughout this
state. They serve as a model for
how a creative vision can generate
community investment beyond
expectations and help people see that
Montana credit unions do so much
more than handle money…
Using Vista members to Make a Difference
In working with MCUCD through our AmeriCorps*VISTA program, I have personally witnessed
the organization engage individuals from as far
away as North Carolina in statewide efforts to better the lives of Montanans. Their conscious effort to
maximize the VISTA resource to provide capacity
to VITA sites, IDA programs, and student savings
accounts has provided numerous opportunities to
increase the asset wealth of low income Montanans,
something we know provides a rung on the ladder
that can enable individuals to pull themselves one
step closer to escaping the cycle of poverty.
MCUCD, by recognizing their potential capacity
to develop these programs and by seeking out our
VISTA project to help support their efforts, has been
successful in providing services to areas throughout
Montana where none existed. Three years and nine
VISTAs later, MCUCD has not only created programs but made them sustainable by “involving” the
community in the efforts to expand vital programs.
helping involve others
Their far-reaching vision to become involved
in Montana communities has not only
generated new programs but engaged new
community partners who now support
program development and project expansion. MCUCD’s success in using the
VISTA program has motivated other community agencies to use this resource as well.
This form of resource sharing has facilitated community collaborations that have resulted in millions of dollars being returned to Montana families
through tax refunds and countless opportunities
within communities large and small for individuals
to build asset wealth.
Who knew asking the question of me, “How can
VISTA expand MCUCD’s capacity to provide additional resources to Montana communities?” would
change not only the Montana Credit Union Network, but engage individuals as far away as the East
Coast to work collaboratively with communities and
partner agencies to build up Montana communities.
changing lives
Because of their work over the past few years,
MCUCD has expanded the interpretation of the
terms "community" and "involvement." They have
helped many see that you can build and sustain
community programs with outside resources and
that community involvement can take shape in very
indirect forms that have just as large an impact.
The dedication demonstrated by MCUCD to engage
communities through creative endeavors is awe-inspiring. MCUCD is truly in the forefront of groundbreaking initiatives that have great impact throughout this state. They serve as a model for how a creative vision can generate community investment
beyond expectations and help people see that
Montana credit unions do so much more than
handle money; they truly provide unique support to
Montana communities, changing the lives of Montanans—including a frame of reference or two.
Michelle Hauer is the Human Resource Administrator and
AmeriCorps Program Director for Montana Legal Services
Association.
network news—5
for your dues
Your Network Staff
Tracie Kenyon
President/CEO
tracie@mcun.org
Robert Coble
Program Support Coord., MCUCD
robert@mcun.org
Clyde Dailey
Dir.–Government Relations
clyde@mcun.org
Tabitha Garvin
COO, Business Development
tabitha@mcun.org
Kelly Johnson
Office Coordinator
kelly@mcun.org
Renee Lyman
Education Assistant
renee@mcun.org
Marcy Martin
Dir.–Administrative Services
marcy@mcun.org
Donya Parrish
VP–Dues Supported Services
donya@mcun.org
Bob Pyfer
General Counsel
pyfer@mcun.org
Jeanne Saarinen
Executive Director, MCUCD
jeanne@mcun.org
Beth Satre
Dir.–Communications/PR
beth@mcun.org
Karen Smith
Dir.–Outreach Services, MCUCD
karen@mcun.org
Ranel Smith
Education Services Director
ranel@mcun.org
RIGHT: Dennis Wizeman
and William Mansfield from
Helena Community CU staff
an “Invest in America” booth
at a local GM Dealership.
6—network news
www.mcun.coop • www.MCUN.org • www.mcun.net
Check out our New Web Site
It's official. In mid-February, the Montana Credit
Union Network launched its redesigned and updated website.
The revised site features clean, professional looking pages with photos of Montana and lets
Network staff post and update information
from anywhere there's an Internet connection.
"This redesign has been on my wish list for
a couple of years," said Beth Satre, MCUN
Director of Communications. "The new look and
capabilities of this site will be great tools for collecting
and sharing information with credit union professionals, members, and the general public. We hope to create an online community—a place people enjoy and
find useful so that they visit regularly."
The website also allows the Network to implement
online registration for education events, conferences, and trainings, streamlining administrative tasks
and enhancing outreach capabilities.
If you have not yet had a chance to visit our newly
revised site, try it today. And, since we're adding content
every day, think about coming back tomorrow as well.
Invest in America
In early December, the
Michigan
Credit Union
League approached GM
and Chrysler
with an idea.
While most
financial institutions had stopped making auto loans, credit unions
were still able and actually willing to finance those
loans. If the automakers could provide an incentive
to credit union members, they might be able to better
tap that market. And the “Invest in America” project
was born.
Since January, credit unions throughout the United
States have partnered with GM and Chrysler to help
credit union members save money—sometimes thousands of dollars—on a new American-made car or
truck. While some have put more effort into spreading the word, Montana credit unions view this as a
bonus for their members and many have been directly
approached by their local dealers about the program.
"It's clearly a win win deal," said a Sales Representative at a local Helena GM Dealer.
The Invest in America website—www.lovemycreditunion.org— explains the idea behind the project.
"When you buy an American-made vehicle, you’re
investing in America. When a credit union finances
your new vehicle, home or small business, they’re
investing in America, too. Credit unions have a heritage of supporting their members which, in turn,
supports our country. We’re looking to boost the
economy, not just one car at a time but one member
at a time as well."
for your dues
Montana credit unions celebrate and connect with law makers
2009 Legislator Appreciation Reception
Leslie Hunter
Chair
The 2009 Legislator Appreciation Reception
was held on Tuesday,
January 13, at the Montana Historical Society. It was a successful
event and a relaxing
evening with over fifty
legislators in attendance,
including leadership of
both the House and
Senate.
We were also joined
by several credit union
CEOs and executives from across the
state and community
partners that work
closely with credit
unions through Montana Credit Unions for
Community Development. Not only were
we celebrating the start
of the session, we were
also kicking off 2009 as
the 100th anniversary
of the chartering of the
first credit union in the
United States.
League Board
Kathy Shea
Vice Chair
Chris Sisco
Secretary
Jeremy Presta
Controller
Wally Berry
Director
Bob Bjelland
Director
Tom Boos
Director
Bernie Neibauer
Director
Greg Strizich
Director
LSG Board
Top: Credit union staff (including Brandi Melo
and Karleen Hanson from Rocky Mountain CU
and Teri Krakowa from SW Montana Community
FCU) and Legislators enjoy the reception. above
left: Rep. Edie McClaffferty (D–Butte) talks to
a fellow legislator in front of a display from the
American Credit Union Museum. ABOVE RIGHT:
Denise King from the Montana Historical Society
chats with Rep. Roy Brown (R–Billings).
RIGHT: Kathy Briggs from Family First FCU and
Rep. Jesse O'Hara (R-Great Falls) talk.
"The reception gives our
leaders and members an
opportunity for some
face-to-face time with
their legislators in a relatively relaxed setting," said
Clyde Dailey, Director of Government Relations
for the Network.
"What better way to give Montana lawmakers the
true, grassroots perspective on credit unions."
The Historical Society provided a perfect venue for
highlighting the history of the credit union movement. Displays from the American Credit Union
Museum were on hand as well as recent issues of
Network News and CU Times that focused on the
history of the movement. Our history is rich in legis-
Kathy Shea
Chair
Gerry Veis
Vice Chair
Ed Stofko
Secretary/Controller
Kathy Briggs
Director
Nancy Harris
Director
Leslie Hunter
Director
Teri Krakowka
Director
lative action and that involves developing and maintaining strong relationships with lawmakers. Legislators in attendance commented on the great atmosphere, as well as the ability to interact in a more
informal setting with their peers.
Since credit unions have no pressing issues this session, we used this forum to answer questions they
had about credit unions and to thank them for their
service to our state and communities.
After all, serving as a citizen legislator is the ultimate
in Community Service!
network news—7
LSG Business
Partners
CO-OP Financial
Services
Counterfeit Cop
CUAdvantage
Collaboration is LSG's Speciality!
If you have an apple and I have an apple and we
exchange these apples then you and I will still each
have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an
idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of
us will have two ideas.
CU Auditing
CU Recovery
CU Succeed
CUNA Mutual Group
CUNA Strategic
Services
Empire Office
Machines
Fidelity Information
Services (formerly
Certegy)
HRValue Group
ICUL Service
Corporation
Indirect Lending
Technologies
(DILLS)
John M. Floyd &
Associates
Mountain West
Benefits
PolicyWorks
Wolters Kluwer
Financial Services
Adding or
Reviewing
Services?
for quality
business
solutions
for your
credit union
call
Tabitha Garvin
800.745.5546 ext 132
tabitha@mcun.org
8—network news
Ideas created out of collaboration exemplify the spirit of cooperation—within communities and organizations. At your League Service Group (LSG), we
strive to work with you—establishing collaborations
that spur all our organizations to success. LSG provides a host of quality business solutions to help you
meet the adapting needs of your credit union.
Providing Marketing solutions
In 2008, LSG introduced CUAdvantage as a marketing solution. CUAdvantage has in-state sales representation, quick quote process, and is able to fulfill every
step of your marketing needs from the initial idea
through distribution. CUAdvantage offers marketing
idea assistance, layout and design, and also serves as a
full-service print and mail house. Please review their
article on the next page for some great marketing tips.
Their friendly and responsive staff will collaborate
with you to meet all your marketing needs.
Providing Health Insurance support
Another excellent collaborative idea is our Association Health Insurance Trust. Our team is comprised
of Mountain West Benefits, experts in association
health insurance; BlueCross BlueShield, state-wide
insurance provider; JCCS, billing administrator;
Galusha, Higgins & Galusha, auditors; Holland
& Hart, Montana employee benefit legal experts;
Trustees—Tracie Kenyon, MCUN; Steve Grooms,
1st Liberty FCU; Rhonda Deifenderfer, Avanta
FCU; Annamarie DeYoung, Sky FCU; Ed Stofko,
Rocky Mountain CU—provide oversight and gov-
ernance of the Trust; and LSG, administrative and
marketing support.
Any member credit union organization is eligible
to apply for a health insurance quote. The Trust offered its members a nominal 5% increase in rates for
2009, as well as added benefits
including free vision and
dental checks. For more
information on this
service, please contact
LSG or Mountain
West Benefits.
Providing Home equity Loan service
Beginning in 2009, LSG and CUNA Mutual
Group(CMG) are teaming up to offer Montana
credit unions the LOANLINER® lending system for
open- and closed-end home equity loans. The system
offers simplified open-end home equity documents
that closely match LOANLINER® documents, providing ease of use for credit union loan officers. For
more information, contact your CUNA Mutual sales
executive at 800-356-2644. Your sales executive will
engage your LOANLINER® specialist to help you
get started. After more than 20 years of LSG providing a home equity lending solution, we are pleased to
have CMG step in to offer you a high quality, flexible, and compliant home equity lending solution.
Providing easy, local access to office supplies
LSG is happy to announce a local office supply solution, Empire Office Machines. With independently-owned locations in Helena and Butte, Empire
Office is ready to provide electronic ordering of
office supplies, furniture, and business machines—
like national providers—but with the convenience
of in-state sales representatives and consultants.
LSG is excited to offer a solution that invests in
Montana’s economy.
These quality business solutions are all the result of
great collaborative idea exchanges. LSG welcomes
input from our credit unions on these services and
prospective business solutions. We welcome the opportunity to exchange ideas with you—or would
you prefer an apple?
Why Market? Increase the Impact of Your Investment
Successful marketing, in one way, portrays a masterpiece. Marketing specialists gather multiple
pieces and coordinate them to showcase what they
have to offer to all types of audiences. While it is
both rewarding and gratefully challenging, it can
also be expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes
a headache.
So, why market?
Because well-planned and executed marketing campaigns compel audiences to act and have tremendous
results. You can’t sell it if you don’t show it or tell
anyone about it.
Remember the “Crash Test Dummies?” Focused on
safety belt education, this ad has been called “the
single most effective protection against death and
serious injury in a car crash.” Since its introduction,
safety belt usage has increased from 14% to 79%, saving an estimated 85,000 lives and $3.2 billion in costs
to society. (Source: Ad Council)
Or how about “Smokey The Bear?” The forest fire
prevention campaign helped reduce the number of
acres lost annually from 22 million to 8.4 million in
2000. (Source: Ad Council)
Both ads displayed an impressive image to audiences. All of the ads’ pieces—everything from
coordinating to printing—worked well together.
The campaigns were successful, which resulted in
their intended goals of reduced societal costs.
You have pieces. Let CUAdvantage put the
marketing Puzzle together.
According to Callahan & Associates, Inc., marketing has to be looked at as a strategic operation of a credit union, especially during these
unsettled times.
An important question to consider: Do all of
your marketing pieces, including planning,
proofing, budget, and timeline, work well? CUAdvantage can create and coordinate pieces –
creative, technical, fun, whatever you need – to
help you put together your marketing campaigns.
In fact, one of the company’s pieces experienced
noteworthy success! In the September 24, 2008,
issue of The Credit
Union Times, our
“Wanted” poster significantly impacted
the outstanding success of an auto loan
campaign. “They
[CUAdvantage]
What You Have
did a fantastic job
• an idea
capturing the look
• an audience
and feel we ‘want• a budget
ed’ for this promo• a timeline
tion,” praised Dave
Rindone, Director
of Marketing, Tempe Schools Credit Union. What You Need
successful marketing pieces
that show your members why
they should come to you for
all of their financial needs.
Let us help you in your quest for success with your
next marketing campaign. To view samples or to request a quote, please give us a call at 877.799.0784 or
visit our website www.cuadvantage.com.
LSG services
Human Resource
Management Service
Strategic Planning
Network Compliance
Service
Strategic
Planning
We are working with you
NADA
1236 Helena Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
Adding or
Reviewing
Services?
Our plans
• Meet your needs
• Are approved by State and Federal Examiners
• Are affordable
Contact Tabitha Garvin
COO of Business Development
1-800-745-5546, ext. 132
Cell 406-459-2746 • Fax 406-442-9085
tabitha@mcun.org
for quality
business
solutions
for your
credit union
call
Tabitha Garvin
800.745.5546 ext 132
tabitha@mcun.org
network news—9
CEO Corner
Steve Howke, President/CEO
Your TSCCU Staff
Steve Howke
President/CEO
(128
steve@tsccu.org
Sylvia Jackson
Director of Compliance
and Risk Management
(129
sylvia@tsccu.org
Tracy Thornburg
Director of Administration
and Operations
(139
tracy@tsccu.org
Kara Connors
Business Development Analyst
(137
kara@tsccu.org
Frances Calhoun
Operations Assistant/MSR
(125
frances@tsccu.org
Diane Halferty
Member Services Representative
(130
diane@tsccu.org
www.tsccu.org
10—network news
These sure are strange times. It is
difficult to hide from the negative
news that is seemingly suspended
in front of us like the foggy haze
that rolls off a Montana river right
before dawn. No matter where you
turn, the media is reporting stories
of individual hardship with the same
eagerness children display when they
write their first letter to Santa Claus.
These stories are about real people
and are tragic.
We were told that in order to avert a total meltdown in the economy, certain very large financial
institutions must not be allowed to fail. If they
were to fail, the logic goes, financial transactions
would come to a standstill and economic disaster
would ensue. Responding to these dire prognostications, the government tossed together all kinds
of general plans aiming either to save these large
financial institutions or to try to restore confidence in the markets by throwing a bunch of
money their way.
To date, the government's efforts have had little
success. Why? It's simple—none of the
money has actually worked its way down
to those invididuals whose heartbreaking
stories pepper the news of the day.
So, where has all this money gone? The
financial institutions that have received
the funds are in survival mode. Because they are charged with preserving
their stockholders investments, they
are not willing to loan in this risky
environment.
And, since credit unions have long-term relationships with their members, credit unions' continuing soundness actually corresponds to looking after
their members' long term interests. It's an ongoing
relationship that translates into extending appropriate credit and providing financial education.
The bottom line is this… Would you rather throw
money at large financial institutions and see if
the money flows to the intended uses, or would
you rather that institutions (like credit unions)
that deal with individuals continue to operate
in an environment so they can better serve their
communities?
I’m betting on the latter.
A word from the
Supervisory Committee
Treasure State Corporate Credit
Union’s Supervisory Committee is comprised of four voting
representatives from members
of Treasure State. Each committee member is appointed by the
Board of Directors of Treasure
State to a term of three years. So
that there is continuity on the
board, committee member terms
are staggered, with at least one
term expiring every year.
Credit unions, on the other hand, are
Teri Krakowka
charged with serving their members,
In addition to me, current
TSCCU Supervisory Committee Chair
not a limited number of stockholders.
Southwest Montana Community FCU
members include; Laura
The money that they have is more likely
Scoville, EVP of Gateway
to be used for the needs in the comCommunity FCU; Dave Stenberg, EVP/COO
munities they serve—working its way down to
of Park Side FCU; and Greg Strizich, President/
the individuals who need it. We have evidence.
CEO of Helena Community CU.
Credit unions have picked up the slack and are
The Supervisory Committee is tasked with periextending credit where other financial instituodic reviews of several areas of risk in Treasure
tions have pulled back.
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• Network Securities Safekeeping
• Electronic Bill Pay
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• International Services
• Funds Transfer
•
Your TSCCU
Board of Directors
Kevin Mayer
Chair • Richland FCU
Steve Grooms
Vice Chair • 1st Liberty FCU
Kathy Briggs
Secy/Treasurer • Family First FCU
Gary Clark
Director • Missoula FCU
Annamarie DeYoung
Director • Sky FCU
Rhonda Diefenderfer
Director • Avanta FCU
Paula Ruddock
Director • Rimrock CU
“Loyalty gives you unequalled control over market share and the
inside track on everything your [member] is thinking...what can you
do to establish an unbreakable bond?” Chet Holmes
Asset/Liability
Committee
Brent Martin
Chair • Helena Community CU
Annamarie DeYoung
Sky FCU
State Corporate Credit Union as well as contracting with external firms to conduct reviews, audits,
and exams. It is the goal of the committee to meet,
in person, on a quarterly basis to perform reviews in
such areas as director and staff expense, loans outstanding, board minutes review, and external audit
and exam reports.
During the past year, we have had external reviews
by CUNA Mutual Group; Anderson ZurMuehlen;
Barb Lynn; and Galusha, Higgins & Galusha, in
addition to the annual review by Anderson ZurMuehlen and the exam by NCUA and the Montana
Division of Banking. We received some great feedback, and staff and management are in the process
of following suggestions that have arisen as a result
of these reviews.
The members of the Supervisory Committee are
committed to the success of your corporate credit
union. If you have any questions or comments, or
are willing to serve on our committee, please feel
Gary Clark
Missoula FCU
The members of the Supervisory
Committee are committed to the
success of your corporate credit
union. If you have any questions or
comments, or are willing to serve
on our committee, please feel free
to contact any of us.
—Teri Krakowka, Chair
tSCCU Supervisory Committee
Al Vukasin
Bear Paw CU
Steve Howke and
Sylvia Jackson
TSCCU
Supervisory
Committee
Teri Krakowka
Chair • Southwest Montana
Community FCU
Dave Stenberg
Park Side FCU
Laura Scoville
Gateway Community FCU
Greg Strizich
Helena Community CU
free to contact any of us. We would be happy to hear
from you. I would like to take this opportunity to
thank the staff and management of Treasure State
for their dedication and hard work. Thank you, also,
to our great members for your continued support.
network news—11
CUsource
Management Team
Shirley Bailey
President / CEO
shirleyb@cusource.com
Mary Lehman
Chief Financial Officer
maryl@cusource.com
Mark Mauler
Programer/Engineer
markm@cusource.com
Kevin Hollingworth
Technical Services Manager
kevinh@cusource.com
Brandi Holefelder
Software Services Manager
brandih@cusource.com
Kelly Calnan
Draft Services Manager
kellyc@cusource.com
Mickey Kunnary
Print/Mail Services Manager
mickeyk@cusource
Tom Dedman
Product Development
tomd@cusource.com
Tracy Houck
Marketing & Business Development
tracyh@cusource.com
CUsource Staff Concentrate on Community Service
Public service, community service, and customer
service: all three are acts carried out with the aim
of creating public good. Similarly, CUsource is
built on the foundation of service, working hard to
creat public good for its credit unions.
At work, CUsource focuses on backing all the
products the company offers with trained and dependable staff. Staff members strive to be available
at the times you need us, and
do their utmost to provide you with the best
and most efficient
tools. We want our
services to tangibly benefit the
work our credit
unions do to
better serve
their members.
Service Within
At home, we are
strongly committed to
helping others with both our
time and our resources. CUsource s t a f f members assist national and local nonprofits, schools,
faith-based organizations, and public agencies with
many great endeavors.
Drawing on their skills, personal interest, experience, and concern for others, our employees have
provided a wide range of services to their communities. Whether it's walking dogs, organizing
fundraisers, serving as board members, or teaching
youth, CUsource staff are active and involved.
CUsource, LLC
Corporate Office
501 Park Drive S, Ste 400
PO Box 3329
Great Falls, MT 59403
Great Falls: 800.823.2876
Helena: 800.430.0215
Billings: 800.528.6668
www.cusource.com
12—network news
Goodwill and other charities. In fact, the list is too
long to list them all.
At work, we also donate time and services to the
Helena chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters and
to the Susan G. Komen Foundation Race for the
Cure. Additionally, our Helena office is the proud
sponsor and organizer of the golf scramble that
raises funds to support Montana Credit Unions for
Community Development.
Service to Credit Unions
In an attempt to provide the best possible
service, CUsource management has developed a training program for every credit
union that uses our services. Each year,
data processing credit unions benefit
from 16 hours of free on-site training,
and our real estate credit unions receive
an additional eight hours.
On-site visits and training time can be tailored to meet an individual credit union's
needs; whether it be used to review existing
procedures, review efficiencies, train new staff, or
explore more system opportunities with senior staff.
The service is designed to make credit unions more
comfortable with their processing environment and
to help credit union staff feel good about the products and services they use.
One of our Senior Real Estate Loan Processing
Specialists, Chandra Thronson, is a great example.
She volunteered over 250 hours last year at the Billings chapter of “Moms of Multiples.” Chandra has
five-year-old twins and an eight-year-old, and she
still finds time to serve as club president.
In 2008, CUsource also reinstated its regional
trainings, offering tips and tricks on various modules across the state. Once again, this training was
provided free of charge to participants. In 2009,
regional training will be offered by our Software
Services staff for FSP-Asset Register and Accounts
Payable, FSP-Admin/Job Scheduler, FSP-Accounting, and OCS (Online Card Services). The training sessions will be held in Great Falls, Missoula,
and Billings in April-May and September-October.
Check out our website www.cusource.com for locations and dates.
Employees give with their money just as they
give their time. CUsource staff financially supported many organizations including United Way
and Montana Shares. They also donated items to
CUsource appreciates the opportunity to serve the
back-office needs of Montana credit unions, helping our clients better serve their members and,
thus, their communities.
Mark Mauler
Real Estate Office
20 Years of service at CUsource
CUsource is proud to announce Mark Mauler’s
20th anniversary at CUsource.
Mark is CUsource’s Programmer/ Engineer. He
began working for CUsource, LLC in January
1989 as our first employee. Since 1981, he has also
worked for the U.S. Air Force and the Montana
Air National Guard where his jobs have included Database Administrator, Telecommunications Operations Specialist, and Communications-Computer Systems Operations Craftsman,
among others.
Mark is often referred to as the backbone of
CUsource. In his current role, Mark provides IT
support for CUsource customers and staff, serves
as BCP/DRP (Business Continuity Plan/ Disaster Recovery Plan) Administrator, and provides
programming
support for CUsource customers
and staff. These
duties clearly
complement his
special interest
in the fields of
computers and
information technology.
Dan Eggen
Sr. Processing Specialist
dane@cusource.com
Chandra Thronson
Sr. Processing Specialist
chandrat@cusource.com
Audrey Arnold
Sr. Processing Specialist
audreya@cusource.com
Stacy Anderson
Mark Mauler
Mark and his wife Gayle live in Great Falls with
two daughters, two cats, and one dog. When he's
not working, Mark likes to play around on the
computer, play chess, go for walks with his dog,
ride his bicycle, and watch movies. Mark Mauler
can be reached at markm@cusource.com.
Foreign Currency Exchange Module
Do your tellers still cringe when your members need
to exchange foreign currency?
Our global community and economy is growing
ever smaller and more interconnected and Montana
credit unions are starting to experience an increased
demand for easier access to foreign currency. CUsource's Foreign Currency Exchange (FSP) module enables your credit union to buy, sell, or exchange foreign currency into U.S. funds at the teller line with
an automated exchange rate adjustment.
This module is incredibly flexible, allowing credit
unions to set up predefined currency types, denomi-
Processing Clerk
stacya@cusource.com
Your CUsource
Investors and
Board of Directors
Rhonda Diefenderfer
Chair • Avanta FCU
Tom Boos
Vice Chair • Billings FCU
Wally Berry
Secy/Treasurer • Montana FCU
Anna DeYoung
Director • Sky FCU
nation values, and exchange rates for buying and
selling cash as well as accepting both foreign checks
written on foreign funds and foreign checks written
on U.S. funds. It does not, however, support the use
of a cash machine for dispensing foreign currency.
Deb Evans
Director • Great Falls Teachers FCU
Credit unions can use the Foreign Currency
Exchange to process the following transactions:
• Selling foreign currency to a member
• Buying foreign currency from a member
• Exchanging foreign currency for deposit
in U.S. funds
• Depositing checks in foreign currency
• Depositing checks in US currency drawn
on foreign banks
• Cashing checks in foreign currency
• Cashing checks in U.S. currency drawn
on foreign banks
For more information about how this module works
and tracks various denominations and transactions,
please give CUsource Software Services at call at
1-800-823-2876.
Chris Sisco
Director • Montana First CU
Tom Kiely
Director • EDTECH FCU
Bernie Neibauer
Director • Russell Country FCU
Greg Strizich
Director • Helena Community CU
CUsource, LLC
Corporate Office
501 Park Drive S, Ste 400
PO Box 3329
Great Falls, MT 59403
Great Falls: 800.823.2876
Helena: 800.430.0215
Billings: 800.528.6668
www.cusource.com
network news—13
Montana Credit Unions are Branching Out
Lincoln County CU's
new building (below)
was designed to represent the surrounding
area and offer a community room as well
as a small consumer
resource area with two
computers and Internet
access.
In the past couple of years, a number of Montana's
credit unions have outgrown their current space and
have either built or are planning to build branches.
True to form, these credit unions are seizing this as
an opportunity not just to expand their services but
to invest in their communities as well.
This investment can take a number of forms. For example, Missoula FCU and Richland FCU decided
to build "green." McCone County FCU and Lincoln
County CU are including space for a community
meeting room. And Sky FCU's new building in Belgrade vastly improved the neighborhood.
In addition, credit unions are very conscientious
about supporting local businesses and firms during
all phases of planning and construction in order to
provide the greatest benefit to their local economy.
Lincoln County CU Board Chair Bill Bischoff
explains it best: “Our members and the community have been a great support to us, and we
wanted to reinvest in our community, so we’ve
put a lot of thought into making our new
building a great resource for everyone.”
This page shows a small sampling of the
planned and recently built credit union branches in
Montana. For more stories check out our website at
www.mcun.coop.
SKY FCU's new Belgrade
Branch (above) was built
on property that had fallen
into disuse (right).
Missoula FCU recently opened the "greenest building
in Missoula." The building (above) has recycled glass
in the concrete, reclaimed timbers and wood in the interior (right), countertops of pressed paper and glass,
and cabinets made from pressed sunflower seeds.
Designed by architect Brad Sperry of CTA Architects in Billings, Richland FCU's new building
(above) will need less energy, create a better work environment for employees, use recycled
materials, and have a longer life cycle span than typical buildings built over the last few
decades. Work on McCone County FCU's new facility (right) began
in November 2008, and from the start it has been a community effort, employing
several local construction companies and electrical contractors plus involving other local businesses. It was designed by Shannon
Peterson, who grew up in Circle, Montana, and now works for CTA Architects of Billings.
14—network news
Recognition
Montana's Certified "REAL Deal" Credit Unions
The “REAL Deal” brand was created as a way to start
identifying and quantifying the level of credit unions’
outreach into their communities. It is supported by
the Credit Union National Assocation, the National
Credit Union Foundation, and all Credit Union System partners. In order to become a certified a “REAL
Deal” credit union, a credit union must be engaged at
a high level in at least two of the following.
• Providing REAL Programs: Products and services that promote a "good deal" for members
geared toward helping them achieve individual
financial success.
1st Liberty FCU
Avanta FCU
Badlands FCU
Bear Paw CU
Big Sky FCU
Billings FCU
Carter County FCU
Community 1st FCU
Daniels-Sheridan FCU
EDTECH FCU
Elkhorn FCU
EnerGComm FCU
Family First FCU
Fergus FCU
Fort Peck Community FCU
Froid FCU
Gateway Community FCU
Glendive BN FCU
Glendive PE FCU
Great Falls Teachers FCU
Helena Community CU
Heritage FCU
High Peaks FCU
Homestead FCU
Kootenai Valley FCU
• Providing REAL Sources: Consumer
information to members (and non-members) about financial education, and
smart choices for daily finances.
• Providing REAL Community Help:
Community involvement and charitable
initiatives and contributions of resources.
Congratulations to the following Montana
credit unions who were recently certified. If you
have questions about the REAL Deal program or
would like to apply for certification, e-mail Tracie
Kenyon, MCUN President/CEO at tracie@mcun.org.
Lincoln County CU
McCone County FCU
MDU Employees FCU
Mile High FCU
Miles City FCU
Missoula FCU
Montana FCU
Montana Educators' CU
Montana First CU
Montana Health FCU
Mountain West FCU
Park Side FCU
Ravalli County FCU
Richland FCU
Rimrock CU
Rocky Mountain CU
Russell Country FCU
SEG FCU
Sky FCU
SW Montana Comm. FCU
Trico community FCU
Valley FCU
Whitefish CU
Wolf Point FCU
Has your credit union Cooked up an Award- Winning
Project? Share YOUR Recipe…Submit an Entry
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Desjardin
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recognizes siders all activities su ng (18 and
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Montana’s 2009 Deadline – July 31
information or an application packet.
network news—15
Presort Standard
US Postage
PAID
Helena, MT 59601
Permit No. 221
1236 Helena Ave • Helena, MT 59601
coming to missoula, montana
the YEAR’s
event !
may 13-15, 2009
it’s the…
mcuN
& EXpo !
• a star-studded cast of speakers , including
CUNA Chief Economist Bill Hampel • NCUA Vice-Chairman Rodney Hood
NCUA Board Member Gigi Hyland • Keynote Speaker Rory Rowland
• a red carpet awards dinner
• a little glamour and glitz and a lot of FUN!
Complete Details and Registration at www.mcun.coop
Montana
Credit Union
Network
1236 Helena Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
Phone
406.442.9081
800.745.5546
Fax:
406.442.9085
Web Site
www.mcun.coop
network news—16