Volume 5, Issue 29.5

The Pulse Archive

MnCUN works proactively to create an environment for credit unions to grow market share. To help achieve this goal, MnCUN has established restricted funds to strengthen our advocacy efforts on behalf of Minnesota’s credit unions – the Awareness Fund and the Advocacy Fund.

Expenditures from the Credit Union Awareness Fund have been made to support public affairs initiatives, which include public and media relations activities. During the first half of 2016, MnCUN has:

• Garnered over 44 earned media mentions in local and trade press for WINcentive® Prize Linked Savings Accounts, including TV, Radio and Print coverage.
• Organized press opportunities during Financial Literacy Month.
• Earned additional media coverage through story pitches about credit union performance, advocacy efforts, student credit unions, and partnerships.
• Interacted with reporters to educate them about the credit union difference.
• Increased the frequency of the Connected to Community newsletter, which highlights credit union news stories and is sent to legislators, media, and public opinion leaders weekly.
• Updated the Credit Union News Channel to more efficiently share credit union news. Over 120 stories have been submitted this year.
  
• Sponsored editions of “Morning Take,” “Business Take,” “Ag Take,” and Law Take” daily online news previews, which reach 10,000 influencers in Minnesota.

The Advocacy Fund has been used to enhance MnCUN’s advocacy activities this year through a number of expenditures including:

• Support for Credit Union House – credit unions’ permanent “home away from home” for advocates visiting Washington D.C.
  
• Collateral and resources for lobbying efforts.
  
• Support for the National Advocacy Fund, coordinated by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), to support both election and issue advocacy efforts.
  
• Support for National Convention leave behinds to support projects at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in Philadelphia and Cleveland. 
  
• Participation in the National Conference of State Legislatures, an event which draws over 5,000 state lawmakers and staff.

Thank you for supporting the Awareness and Advocacy Funds!

In the first six months of the program, credit union members have opened over 3,200 accounts and saved over $1.55 million in the new WINcentive Savings program offered by 14 Minnesota credit unions and facilitated by the Minnesota Credit Union Network.

WINcentive prizes are offered on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis - up to $5,000.  Account holders can qualify for up to four chances per month for each $25 increase in their savings balance. The Statewide prize-pool has awarded 311 total prizes equaling $41,000 to date. Members from Affinity Plus, Wakota, and Financial One credit unions will be presented with this quarter’s $1,000 prizes.

Credit unions also benefit from the WINcentive program. A survey of new WINcentive account holders shows that:

• 81% said WINcentive makes them more excited about their credit union.
• 61% of participants said that building their savings would make them more likely to use other financial products at their credit union.
• 15% joined their credit union for the WINcentive account.

For more information about how your credit union can offer WINcentive Savings, visit the WINcentive page of the MnCUN website or contact Kris Jacobsen for more information.

*The data in this report is from a Doorways to Dreams (D2D) Fund survey administered to WINcentive account holders by their credit unions. Survey responses were collected from January through June 2016.

Follow the links on the stories below to read more about the outstanding programs, new initiatives and well-deserved recognition received by your peers recently. Got news of your own? Send stories, pitches, press releases and published articles to MnCUN Communications Specialist Laura Whittet. 

• TopLine Hosted 3rd Annual Bike Drive To Benefit Youth Apprenticeship Program » 
  
  
• SPIRE’s Reiling Appointed to Eagan YMCA Board of Directors » 
  
  
• St. Paul Federal named one of the healthiest credit unions in the country » 
  
  
• Fifteen CUES® Next Top Credit Union Exec applicants advance » 
  
  
• Minnco Credit Union Employees Raise the Roof for Habitat for Humanity » 

The Minnesota Credit Union Network's 2016 Fall Leadership Conference will be held Friday, September 9 through Sunday, September 11, 2016, at Madden's Resort in Brainerd. Filled with educational sessions, entertainment and recreation opportunities, this event provides a weekend of learning, relaxation and fun. Sessions throughout the weekend are designed for both credit union professionals and volunteers.

Session topics will include the following: 

• Tips for Terrific Talking
• The New Brand of Volunteer: Your Credit Union’s Vision in Service & Action
• Trumpeting Your To-Do List
• Think Big, Act Small – Succeeding as an Entrepreneurial Credit Union
• The Economy & Credit Union Performance
• Bringing an Irreverent and Bipartisan Look at Minnesota and National Politics

To take advantage of the early bird discount, registration and payment must be received by Tuesday, Aug. 9. The deadline for regular priced registrations is Tuesday, Aug. 23. Credit unions with less than $35 million in assets are eligible to attend Fall Leadership Conference at a discounted rate.

More information and registration is available on the Fall Leadership Conference page of the MnCUN website. With questions about the 2016 Fall Leadership Conference, please contact MnCUN Vice President & General Counsel John Wendland by email or at (651) 288-5519.

Credit union supporters are encouraged to nominate individuals and organizations for the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards to be presented by the National Credit Union Foundation (the Foundation). Winners will be honored at the Foundation's annual awards dinner on Feb. 27, 2017 in conjunction with the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) in Washington, D.C.

Nominations need to be made by Friday, July 29, 2016 for the following awards:

• The Outstanding Individual Achievement Award honors an individual who is dedicated to promoting the credit union philosophy, has created innovative concepts, and provided leadership that has had a significant and lasting impact on the local, regional, national and/or international credit union movement with measured results.

• The Outstanding Organization/Program Award honors an organization, program or business for their innovative concepts, products, and services that have had a significant impact on the local and/or national and/or international credit union movement with measured results.

Nominations can come from individuals and/or organizations. More information on submitting nominations can be found on the Foundation website.