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CU FORWARD® represents credit unions of all sizes commitment to give back to their communities in a cooperative effort through promoting:
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CU FORWARD Day 2020
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CU FORWARD Day, the annual celebration of credit unions spreading kindness, will be held on Monday, October 12, 2020.
Kick Off Webinar: Tuesday, August 11, 2020 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Join the Minnesota Credit Union Network and partners as we kick off CU Forward Day details for 2020. While this year's participation may look a little different, CU Forward Day will continue with credit unions collaborating to spread kindness. CU Forward Day coordinators, credit union leadership and staff are all welcome to join as we discuss what the day might look like this year. The webinar is free and will be recorded, however we do ask that you please register. Please provide us your questions in the registration form. Registered attendees will receive webinar and call-in instructions prior to the session. With questions, please contact Director of Engagement, Ben Hering, via email or by phone at (612) 239-0026. |
Credit Unions Give Back Through the CU FORWARD Kindness Initiative
CU FORWARD Day – held annually on the second Monday is October is a Minnesota state-wide initiative of credit unions employees, members and partners coming together to volunteer with local organizations, give back to our communities, commit random acts of kindness and generally just say “thank you” to the people who deserve it most.
In 2019, Minnesota’s Credit Unions held their third annual CU FORWARD day on Monday, Oct. 14. Across Minnesota, 4,000 volunteers from 58 Credit Unions and partners dedicated the day to community service projects and volunteer opportunities totaling over 20,000 hours.
A Growing Concept
Initially focused on Affinity Plus’ employees dedicating eight hours to volunteerism, the event has grown substantially. In 2016 Plus It Forward event included 25 participating credit unions resulting in more than 1,200 employees and members dedicating over 7,300 total volunteer hours to scatter kindness in their communities.
In a response to the growing cooperative nature of the event, the Minnesota Credit Union Network assumed the coordination of credit union participation, tracking and media efforts going forward under the umbrella name CU Forward Day starting in 2017.
In 2018, CU Forward Day included 49 credit unions and partners that came together to impact the lives of over 300,000 people.
Last year, participation included 58 credit unions and organizations!
The concept is now taking hold outside of Minnesota. Illinois launched CU Kind Day, a credit union driven kindness day, and Mississippi credit unions are also piloting a giveback day through their young professional’s group, LEAD.
Exemplifying the Cooperative Model
We talk about credit unions being cooperatives, people helping people organizations, and businesses that are engrained within our communities, but sometimes, it might be hard for our members to see that. What does that really look like? What does that really mean?
CU Forward Day truly exemplifies what it means to be a cooperative through tangibly showing our members what cooperation among cooperatives looks like and our genuine concern for community. Participation across credit unions varies – some credit unions close their branch locations with every employee going out into the community, others remain open and conduct fundraisers or in-branch activities – but the shared idea of giving back is the same.
When credit unions come together to collaborate, and people can see that, our organizations have an opportunity to speak to the credit union difference within the banking world. Then, with the shear numbers of credit unions and people coming together, working collectively, the impact exponentially increases, further driving home the “people helping people” message.
For CU FORWARD Day, the Network will inspire ideas, help plan credit union involvement, provide examples, best practices and resources, organize social media, and share stories throughout the state. Specifically:
Example Credit Union Kindness Action and Member Impact
In 2019, Minnesota’s Credit Unions held their third annual CU FORWARD day on Monday, Oct. 14. Across Minnesota, 4,000 volunteers from 58 Credit Unions and partners dedicated the day to community service projects and volunteer opportunities totaling over 20,000 hours.
A Growing Concept
Initially focused on Affinity Plus’ employees dedicating eight hours to volunteerism, the event has grown substantially. In 2016 Plus It Forward event included 25 participating credit unions resulting in more than 1,200 employees and members dedicating over 7,300 total volunteer hours to scatter kindness in their communities.
In a response to the growing cooperative nature of the event, the Minnesota Credit Union Network assumed the coordination of credit union participation, tracking and media efforts going forward under the umbrella name CU Forward Day starting in 2017.
In 2018, CU Forward Day included 49 credit unions and partners that came together to impact the lives of over 300,000 people.
Last year, participation included 58 credit unions and organizations!
The concept is now taking hold outside of Minnesota. Illinois launched CU Kind Day, a credit union driven kindness day, and Mississippi credit unions are also piloting a giveback day through their young professional’s group, LEAD.
Exemplifying the Cooperative Model
We talk about credit unions being cooperatives, people helping people organizations, and businesses that are engrained within our communities, but sometimes, it might be hard for our members to see that. What does that really look like? What does that really mean?
CU Forward Day truly exemplifies what it means to be a cooperative through tangibly showing our members what cooperation among cooperatives looks like and our genuine concern for community. Participation across credit unions varies – some credit unions close their branch locations with every employee going out into the community, others remain open and conduct fundraisers or in-branch activities – but the shared idea of giving back is the same.
When credit unions come together to collaborate, and people can see that, our organizations have an opportunity to speak to the credit union difference within the banking world. Then, with the shear numbers of credit unions and people coming together, working collectively, the impact exponentially increases, further driving home the “people helping people” message.
For CU FORWARD Day, the Network will inspire ideas, help plan credit union involvement, provide examples, best practices and resources, organize social media, and share stories throughout the state. Specifically:
- Communications – highlighting via the Pulse newsletter, sharing credit union stories via our social media channels, and creating short videos to inspire action.
- Impact Collection – creating a survey to compile credit union actions and activities throughout this time.
- Resource sharing – updating our CU FORWARD webpage with examples, ideas and resources. Facilitate and create connections for credit unions to collaborate on kindness activities together.
Example Credit Union Kindness Action and Member Impact
- Paying for strangers’ groceries, lunch, gas.
- Bringing treats to frontline workers, and performing random acts of kindness like buying people's coffee and leaving rolls of quarters at the laundry mats.
- Writing thank you notes to first responders, thanking local police and fire department.
- Supporting local organizations through food, clothing and fund drives.
- Volunteering at nonprofits across the state.
