Michael Fryzel, Chairman of the NCUA (left), recently paid a visit to South Side Community Federal Credit Union (SSCFCU), including CEO Gregg Brown. Chairman Fryzel, a native Chicagoan, learned about the many innovative services and products. Fryzel congratulated SSCFCU, a $3.5 million community development CU on Chicago's near south side, on its work as a start-up credit union and offered words of encouragement. He was particularly impressed with the credit union's financial education curriculum.

"It was quite an honor for our credit union to be recognized by the esteemed NCUA Chairman." said Brown.

St. Jude CU celebrated its 50th Anniversary on International Credit Union Day (October 16, 2008). ICUL Regional Director, Joyce Jackson, presented a plaque commemorating the event to Bruce Shudy, CU Board Chairman. Also pictured (from left) are: Richard Klemundt, Finance Director, St. Jude League; and Rev. Mark Brummel, C.M.F. and Treasurer of the St. Jude League.

Donna Gambrell (seated in center holding check), Director of the Community Development Financial Institution Fund (CDFI), is joined by Jim Masini, Board Chair (seated at left), Ed Jacob, CEO of North Side Community Federal Credit Union (seated at right), and many credit union members, staff, supporters, and friends during her recent visit to the credit union to provide it with a CDFI Fund grant of more than $230,000. The CDFI Fund was created to promote economic revitalization and community development through investment in and assistance to community development financial institutions (CDFIs). The CDFI Fund is a part of the United States Department of the Treasury.

A $10,000 check was presented to the American Red Cross from the proceeds of Olin Community Credit Union’s 1st Annual Charity Golf Outing. Pictured (from left to right) are: Greg Worthen, Board Member for the American Red Cross; Robin Summers, Executive Director for the American Red Cross; Amber Scott, Olin Community Credit Union Marketing Manager; and Don Reedy, CEO of Olin Community Credit Union. The Southwestern Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross received the check on October 8th, after the golf outing was held at Woodlands Golf Club in Alton.

Senior management of the Illinois league recently met with Sarah Vega, NCUA senior policy advisor. Pictured (from left) are: Keith Sias, ICUL Director of State Legislative Affairs; Vega; Patrick Smith, ICUL Director of Strategic Services; and Steve Olson, ICUL Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and COO. The group used the meeting as an opportunity to discuss operational, regulatory and compliance issues critical to Illinois CUs in light of the current economic conditions.

The Illinois Youth Involvement Council (IYIC) and University of Illinois Extension sponsored an indepth "Train-the-Trainer" workshop for the National Endowment for Financial Education's (NEFE) High School Financial Planning Program. The workshop, for teachers and agency staff who work with young adults (ages 14 - 19), was held December 5, 2008 at ICUL's offices in Naperville. At left presenting to the group was Kathy Reuter, U of I Extension Consumer and Family Economics Educator.