CU Day at the Capitol rescheduled for March 9
Due to an unforeseen conflict with an important legislative conference on Feb. 10, the Minnesota Credit Union Network has rescheduled its annual Credit Union Day at the Capitol for Tuesday, March 9. This new date will enable more legislators to meet with credit union professionals and volunteers to discuss issues important to the movement.
Credit unions will now have until Monday, March 1, to register for this advocacy event. In addition, registrations submitted by Wednesday, Feb. 17, will receive the $30 early bird discount.
During CU Day, credit unions professionals and volunteers will remind elected officials of the role credit unions play in serving "Main Street" Minnesota. Attendees will receive legislative updates, visit senators and representatives at the State Capitol, and network with other credit union supporters at an afternoon reception.
For additional information about this event, please visit the Credit Union Day at the Capitol section of the Network web site. With questions about CU Day, contact MnCUN Political Advocacy Director Monica Weber.
MnCUN to host Garnishment & Levies Workshop
In February, MnCUN will be hosting Workshops on Responding to Garnishments & Levies. Held at three locations around the state, this workshop will provide credit unions information on how to properly respond to these legal requests while protecting the assets of the credit union.
Led by MnCUN Associate General Counsel John Wendland, these sessions will overview the validity requirements for garnishments and levies and will explain the steps for complying with these legal requests. Investigate set-off and priority issues; how to administer a garnishment or levy for various accounts; and tips for responding to the IRS, Minnesota Department of Revenue, and Child Support levies.
The Workshop on Responding to Garnishments & Levies will be held from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at three locations throughout Minnesota:
- Feb. 18 – Holiday Inn, Duluth
- Feb. 23 – Holiday Inn, Bloomington
- Feb. 25 – St. Cloud FCU, St. Cloud
Complete workshop information and online registration for the workshop is available in the Event Calendar section of the Network web site.
MnCUN awards recognize extraordinary individuals
Do you know somebody who is heavily involved in the progression of your credit union and the movement as a whole? If so, you are encouraged to nominate him or her for MnCUN’s most prestigious awards. Nominations are now being accepted for the following awards:
- Outstanding Professional of the Year; and
- Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.
Presented at the Network’s Annual Meeting in April, the Professional and Volunteer Awards showcase the dedicated service and professionalism of credit union staff and board members. Eligible nominees include those whose work has made a significant impact at their credit union and individuals who have been actively involved in the local, state, national and international credit union movement. Winners are recognized with a video tribute that is shown during the Awards Ceremony of the Network Annual Meeting.
Nominations for both awards must be received by the Network office by Friday, Feb. 26. Complete information and nomination forms can be found on the Professional and Volunteer Awards page of the Network web site. With questions about the awards, contact MnCUN Director of Communications Rachel Kuenzel at the Network office.
MnCU4Kids donates $190,000+ to children’s hospital
Despite the turbulent economy, credit unions and the Minnesota Credit Unions for Kids (MnCU4Kids) committee raised more than $190,000 for Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in 2009. During a visit to the hospital on Jan. 21, representatives from the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation presented a check totaling the funds raised by credit unions around the state.
As a sub-committee of the Foundation, MnCU4Kids works with credit unions throughout the state to raise money for Gillette, Minnesota’s Children’s Miracle Network-affiliated hospital. Throughout 2009, the volunteer committee coordinated a variety of large- and small-scale fundraisers that engaged credit unions and members in all corners of Minnesota. Fundraisers included a golf tournament, Bowl-O-Rama, Chain of Hearts, and an inflatable obstacle course challenge. Individual credit unions also coordinated their own fundraisers that consisted of cook-outs, candy bar and popcorn sales, and casual days.
"The generosity of credit unions and members throughout the state enabled the committee to surpass its fundraising goal by more than $40,000,” said Kristi Mukomela, Chair of the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation. "The success of the committee’s fundraising efforts demonstrates the amazing feats that can be accomplished through the cooperative efforts of the credit union movement.”
MnCU4Kids also received support from several local and national companies that work with credit unions, most notably CO-OP Financial Services. Its support of MnCU4Kids in 2009 was part of the organization’s broader efforts, donating $1 million dollars nationwide to Children’s Miracle Network hospitals through its Miracle Match program.
"This year the committee was overwhelmed by the support we received from vendors, credit unions and members,” said Katie Grindeland, co-chair of MnCU4Kids. "Even though the country was facing a recession, supporters realized the hospital’s need for donations and whole-heartedly joined us in our cause to raise money for the children at Gillette.”
For more information about MnCU4Kids and how your credit union can become involved in its fundraising efforts, visit the Minnesota Credit Unions for Kids web site.
MnCUN Compliance Reference Guide available online
Credit unions can access MnCUN’s December 2009 Compliance Reference Guide online. This resource provides information on the latest regulatory and compliance topics.
On the Network web site, credit unions can download the entire reference guide or view individual sections of the book. The following resources are contained within this compliance publication:
- A Guide to Responding to Garnishments & Levies;
- Credit Union Charter: State vs. Federal;
- Regulatory Summary 2009;
- Credit Union Report Deadlines 2010 (organized by category); and
- Credit Union Report Deadlines 2010 (organized by date).
These resources are available on the Regulatory Compliance Publications page of the Network web site. With questions about the content of this reference guide, contact MnCUN General Counsel Simone Suri.
26 organizations enroll in MnCUN’s Vendor Involvement Program
MnCUN welcomed six new and 20 repeat participants into its 2010 Vendor Involvement Program (V.I.P.) on Jan. 1. The V.I.P., created in 2005, provides committed service organizations with an opportunity to work with MnCUN and increase visibility among Minnesota credit unions.
Designed to optimize business relationships with Minnesota credit unions, this advertising program offers Annual Meeting packages, unique exposure, and exclusive opportunities to participate in new MnCUN initiatives.
Of the 26 total organizations, six are new participants to the program. New vendors include:
- The Advantage Network
- Apex Print Technologies
- Harland Financial Solutions
- Professional Recovery Services of Minnesota
- Repossessors, Inc.
- World Wide Audio Media
Repeat participants include:
Print to Page