Sun Center FCU received grant funds to help with the costs associated with opening two student-run credit unions in the Keystone Local School District. The credit unions serve elementary and middle school students, as well as teachers and other staff. A select group of fifth- and eighth-grade students operate the student-run credit unions with the assistance of Sun Center FCU employees and a teacher liaison appointed by the principals. “The joining of a business with the school system creates a relationship that makes the community stronger,” said Marketing Manager Diane Williams. “Bridging the gap between textbook and real-life experiences makes the learning process much more effective.”

Fiberglas FCU in Newark and Harvest FCU in Heath joined forces to bring Mad City Money to several school districts in Licking County, including homeschooled students. Thanks to an Ohio Credit Union Foundation grant, the credit unions were able to offer the financial learning activity to more school districts and students in 2011. Mad City Money is a reality experience that allows students to put their financial knowledge into action as they encounter real-life financial scenarios. Students are taught how to write checks and assigned occupations with incomes, children, and existing debt, and they travel around Mad City making decisions about housing, clothing, food, transportation, and more based on what they can afford. “Our reality day has proved to be very successful with each school district, and we are especially proud to have reached out to a new niche of students with the homeschoolers,” says Shani Smith-Reed, VP of Marketing for Fiberglas FCU. “Everyone, from volunteers to CEOs, makes this event possible, and it’s fantastic to see it all come together.”

CODE Credit Union in Dayton received grant funds to assist with the opening of a student-run credit union in Northmont High School. Nine students, under a faculty supervisor, operate the credit union during lunch, two days a week, on a rotating schedule. Student workers receive training from CODE CU, including in-depth financial education, which they later share with their peers. Business class students manage the marketing materials, business plan, accounting system, and transaction forms for the student-run credit union. CODE CU believes the student-run credit union will help students establish a healthy and positive outlook on personal finance. The credit union has also partnered with the school to provide financial education sessions on goal setting, budgeting, and money management.

The Ohio Credit Union Foundation awarded a grant to the Northwest Chapter in order to assist with the creation of a media version of its “Finances 101: Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk” program. The chapter is partnering with the Public Broadcasting Service station WTGE on the project. The online financial education tool will offer students an opportunity to make real-life financial decisions and experience unexpected surprises, such as car accidents. “This project has presented credit unions with an opportunity to provide educators throughout the state of Ohio with an online financial reality game that teaches the importance of budgeting, savings, and building a positive credit history” said Chapter President Beth Carpenter. The media version of “Finances 101: Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk” will be available in June of 2011.

Cathy Beaber of Credit Union of Ohio was awarded the Ohio Credit Union Foundation's 2010 Louise McCarren Herring Development Education Scholarship to attend NCUF's Development Educators Training. Beaber plans to use the positive experience to uphold the cooperative principals and credit union philosophy. According to Beaber, “I opened my mind while away, being totally immerged in all I could take in. learning more of the bigger picture of the credit union industry as a while.”

Barbara Robers of Bardes Employee FCU was awarded a professional development grant to attend OCUL’s Small Credit Union Workshop on March 24.  Robers received pertinent information about the latest compliance matters impacting small credit unions. According to Robers, “this opportunity provided an opportunity to not only learn what regulations are impacting small credit unions but to network with others who share similar experiences.”

Lynn Siler of Libbey FCU received a professional development grant to attend the OCUL Collection and Bankruptcy Update in Columbus, OH. The conference focused on gaining knowledge and skills to understand the most common causes of delinquency, learn effective negotiation strategies, identify the early warning signs of a potential bankruptcy, and discover strategies to strengthen credit unions. According to Siler, “I was 100% satisfied with the workshop, I was actually excited about going back to work and working on past due accounts.”

Ben Robie of ProMedica CU received a professional development grant to attend the Credit Union National Association’s Managment School. The training allowed Robie to learn about issues and concerns facing credit unions on a statewide and national level while networking with peers. According to Robie, “I learned more about credit union management dynamics in two weeks than I ever thought possible.
 

The Ohio Credit Union Foundation awarded a $15,000 disaster relief grant to the World Council of Credit Unions for a Disaster Relief Fund for the earthquake-ravaged Haiti. The grant helped provide immediate relief to Haiti credit union staff and their members.

OCUF awarded a $2,500 disaster relief grant to the World Council of Credit Unions for the earthquakes in Chile. The grant helped provide immediate relief to individuals and communities that were devastated by the torrential rains. The impoverished nation of 7 million was pelted by three days of rain attributed to "a disturbed weather area" off the Pacific coast of El Salvador, according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Center.

Credit unions interested in offering financial support for national disasters can donate anytime through the National Credit Union Foundation’s online giving center, CUAid.
http://www.cuaid.coop
 

2010 Memorial Scholarships

2010 Student Scholarships
The Ohio Credit Union Foundation (OCUF) awarded five $2,500 scholarships for post-secondary education. The five 2010 Ohio Credit Union Scholarship winners were: Courtney Wooten from the Central Ohio Chapter, Sarah Courey from the Mahoning Valley Chapter, Abigail Gross from the Miami Valley Chapter, Samantha Molnar from the Northwest Chapter, and Evan Rebillot from the Summit Chapter. The students were among more than 1,700 who participated in an annual statewide scholarship contest sponsored by the Chapters of the Ohio Credit Union League and funded by OCUF. Each chapter submits its top essay winner to the League, and a panel of independent judges then selects the five statewide winners.
 

“Having attended many educational sessions over the years, I can truly say the DE Program tops my list! It was rich in credit union history, explored the strengths of the cooperative business model, and illustrated how social responsibility can have a positive impact on the bottom line.”
-- Cathy Beaber, Member Development, Credit Union of Ohio

“During my first year of CUNA Management School, I was exposed to more relevant topics than I could have hoped for. The week long program has given me a stronger financial foundation.”
-- Jamie Garrabrant, COO, Fiberglas FCU

“Seeing the political process in action has given me a much better perspective and understanding of the legislative items facing credit unions today. It is important for lawmakers to know who credit unions are and what they do to help their members.”
-- Andrew Tarbox, VP of Lending & Sales, Western CU

“CUNA Regulatory Compliance School has given me the knowledge needed to implement policies and procedures that are in the best interest of the credit union and our members.”
-- Susan Dove, Director of Product Development and Compliance, Bay Area CU

“The knowledge that I obtained at CUNA’s Business Lending Institute will allow me to provide better service to our members and strengthen the credit unions business lending products.”
-- Kristen Kilfoyle, Lending Services Manager, Taleris CU

“Maintaining the Credit Union Compliance Expert (CUCE) designation plays an important role in my career development and my relevance as a leader in Ohio’s Credit Union Movement.”
-- Colleen Koppenhofer, VP of Operations, Midwest Community FCU

“On behalf of the all the people in the Northwest Chapter that make the Finances 101 Program happen, I would like to thank the Ohio Credit Union Foundation for its continued support. The Foundations help makes this program possible.”
-- Bill Hann, Compliance Officer, ProMedica FCU

“On behalf of Woodco FCU, I want to personally thank you for the generous disaster relief grant. I praise God that Woodco has made it through the storm. The damage could have been worse and even though our office doesn’t exist anymore, Woodco has found a new “home.”
-- Juanita Zunk, CEO, Woodco FCU