Fourth Quarter 2008

Scott CU volunteers 650 hours, donates $100K. Scott Credit Union has made giving back to its communities a major priority. The local credit union will contribute about $100,000 and volunteer more than 650 hours to a variety of local civic efforts throughout the region through the end of 2008, including American Cancer Society Relay for Life, the Hospice of Southern Illinois, the Highland Area Community Foundation and local grade schools.. The credit union has increased its community involvement in the past two years while also increasing its efforts to educate consumers of the value of doing their financial business with a not-for-profit credit union. The credit union created a Community Volunteer Incentive (VIP) Program to show how important community involvement is to the organization and to encourage the staff to volunteer their time supporting local efforts.

Innovation grant received. North Side Community Federal Credit Union was recently awarded an Innovation Grant of $35,000 by the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) for its Used Auto Loan Initiative. During this grant cycle, NCUF received 41 applications requesting $2.2 million in funding – nearly four times the Innovation Grant dollars available through the Community Investment Fund. These included many exemplary initiatives that credit unions are taking in their community.

Scholarship & Grant Deadline. The first review for 2009 scholarships and grants (Community Service, Small Credit Union Development, Marketing and Business Development, and Financial Independence & Revitalization Effort (FIRE)) will take place following the March 31 application deadline. Printable application forms are available on the ICUL Web site. Grant application review deadlines are March 31, July 31, and October 31. Grant seekers are encouraged to complete and return the application form to the Foundation as early in the year as possible since grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will be reviewed as long as grant funds are available. March 31 is the main scholarship application deadline. Scholarship seekers are encouraged to complete and return the application form to the Foundation as early in the year as possible since most scholarships are awarded following the March 31 deadline. Applications for scholarships to attend the League's Annual Convention are awarded beginning February 15. During the remainder of the year, scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first served basis for as long as funds are available. If you have any questions about the grant programs, contact Vicki Ponzo or Melanie Murphy at 800-942-7124.

Celebration Weeks Announced. National Credit Union Youth Week is set for April 19-25, 2009, go to http://www.cuna.coop to access promotional materials. The 6th annual National Youth Week Savings Challenge, sponsored by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), is held in conjunction with National CU Youth Week. The theme for both is "The Magic of Saving." Money Smart Week will be held April 18-25, 2009. It is sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and will be held in Rockford, Peoria, Bloomington/Normal, Champaign/Urbana, Springfield, Quad Cities, and the Chicago metropolitan area. Go to http://www.moneysmartweek.org for more information. International Credit Union Week is set for October 11-17, 2009, with Thursday, October 15 designated as International CU Day. These celebratory times are always held during the third week and third Thursday of October, respectively. Go to http://www.woccu.org for more information or to purchase promotional materials.

Award Deadlines Announced. Nominations for the League's Spirit of Service awards are due February 28. Applications for the 2008 Desjardins Youth Financial Literacy, Dora Maxwell and Louise Herring awards is July 1. Applications for the League's Hall of Fame award is December 31. Information and application forms for all of the award programs can be accessed online via the League's Web site.

IYIC Donates $20,000. The Illinois Youth Involvement Council (IYIC) raised money during 2008, primarily through candy bar sales, and donated proceeds to CUPAC ($6,000), the ICU Foundation ($6,000), and the Washington CU Foundation ($1,500) for the Biz Kid$ Program. IYIC is also a sponsor of the League's Annual Convention ($2,000). In addition, IYIC will underwrite the cost of a pilot program to offer Biz Kid$ DVDs to schools in Illinois (see related story, Biz Kid$ Season 3 Airs Across Illinois).

Council Appointment. Congratulations to Mary Conrady, Vice President-Market Development/ Member Centers at CEFCU, who was recently named to Lt. Governor Patrick Quinn's Rural Affairs Council.

Milestone Anniversaries. Congratulations to the following credit unions who will celebrate milestone service anniversaries during 2009:

75 Years
Bensenville Community CU
Champaign County Schools ECU
Decatur Firemens CU
IH Mississippi Valley CU
Illinois Central Area CU
Olin Community CU

50 Years
Canals & Trails CU
Eaton ECU
Great River Community CU
LaSalle County School ECU
Madco Postal FCU
Maine Township Schools CU
Marion Memorial Hospital CU
Nail Workers CU
School Dist 162 163 EFCU
SIUE C
UPWA District 1 Area 5 CU
Western Illinois CU

25 Years
St. Helena Parish CU

New CEOs. Welcome to the following new CEOs of Illinois credit unions: Gunite ECU - Judy Scott; McMillen Master CU - Cheryl Thompson; and Shiloh Baptist FCU - Sarah Hills.

New Name. Vienna Correctional Center CU is now River to River CU.

Grand Openings. The following credit unions recently opened new facilities: Community Plus FCU in Champaign; Consumers CU in Mundelein (reopening); DHCU Community CU in East Moline; Dixon City EFCU in Dixon; GCS FCU in Collinsville; Land of Lincoln CU in Vandalia; Morris Community CU in Diamond; Premier CU in Northbrook; Scott CU in Troy; Southeastern Electric ECU in Harrisburg; and United Community CU in Quincy.

Retirement. Best wishes to the following Novella Luter, CEO of Gunite ECU, who recently retired.

Passings. The credit union movement mourns the loss of Mary "Sue" Sours, CEO of SJH EFCU in Springfield, and Roy Saettler, former board member of Peoria Hiway CU.


Education Calendar. Add to your knowledge or sharpen your skills by attending one or more of these outstanding educational events.

© 2008 Illinois Credit Union League. All rights reserved.