May. 21, 2008 at 12:52pm

How one credit union is making a difference

Posted by Guest Blogger in Social Responsibility, The Power of Creativity
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When Mountain America Credit Union launched the Women’s Financial Services Network (WFSN) a few years ago, it was eager to make a difference. And it has. In fact, it’s making a difference in the lives of many women, specifically young women.

In a unique partnership with the Girl Scouts of Utah (GSU) and the Salt Lake Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), the WFSN is providing one-on-one mentors for Girl Scouts going for their Gold Award.

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Mar. 28, 2008 at 1:44pm

Why the CU Skeptic is right

Posted by Jamie Chase in Banks Are Not Hated, Social Responsibility, Strategic Communications
Comments (4)

Last week the CU Skeptic’s blog post was smart. It was poignant and a reminder that innovation and serving consumers should be far more important to credit unions than fighting banker attacks. Thank you, Skeptic for encouraging credit unions to look to their mission for operations and marketing guidance.

A step beyond that, I encourage the CU Skeptic to hold off on revealing his identity.

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Mar. 11, 2008 at 1:45pm

"What if" from the greates CU event in the world

Posted by Jamie Chase in Elections, Social Responsibility, Talking to Members, What We're Up To
Comments (5)

Kurt and I returned to JayRay yesterday from a thought-provoking week at CUNA’s Government Affairs Conference (GAC), the largest credit union event in the world. I’m relieved to share that the normal fluff and peachy rhetoric, gave way to the discussion of serious issues.

They gave us something to think about:

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Jan. 24, 2008 at 1:52pm

Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus to start U.S. credit union

Posted by Jamie Chase in Banks Are Not Hated, Social Responsibility
Comments (2)

Professor Muhammad Yunus, winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize shared big news for credit unions. He is looking at starting a credit union in the United States.

This was in response to my question to him during his recent visit to Seattle, “what lessons does he have to share with credit unions?”

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Dec. 28, 2007 at 1:55pm

Go back to your big ideal

Posted by Kurt Jacobson in Differentiation is Key, Social Responsibility
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It’s true, a company that stands for a “big ideal” will get more business than those that don’t.

According to Jonah Bloom, a columnist from Advertising Age, research by Cone Communications proves it. Eighty-seven percent of people say they will switch from one brand to a comparable one based on its association with a good cause.

What is your good cause and how will prospects know about it? Sixty-six percent consider a company’s position on social issues when deciding to buy its stock. Do your prospects know they become stockholders when they join your credit union? Do they know what cause you stand for?

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Dec. 14, 2007 at 1:57pm

A handup not a handout

Posted by Jamie Chase in Elections, Social Responsibility
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Britney and Madonna may glean all the tabloid headlines, but let me tell you Dora Maxwell and Louise Herring rock!

I’m sure being named the “Mother of Credit Unions” had something to do with Herring chartering hundreds of financial cooperatives. To put that into perspective, only one new credit union was chartered in Washington state during the last 12 years. Moment of honesty - I idolize these women and get the same mushy, heartfelt pang thinking about their legacy that hits me when missing my grandma Jeanne. Grandma still volunteers in Zoar, Ohio, the historic cooperative village where I grew up. My desire to work for cooperatives likely comes from wanting to grow up to be like her.

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