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As a member-owned, not-for-profit trade association that exists solely to
meet the needs of and represent the interests of credit unions, the Utah League
of Credit Unions is committed to our member credit unions, to credit union
members, volunteers and staff, and to the Credit Union System.
We will uphold our fundamental responsibility to actively serve our member credit unions; we are committed to promoting their growth and well being. The League will put forth every effort to enable our members to succeed in their mission as credit unions.
Our purpose is to provide credit unions with a favorable operating environment and quality products and services that enable them to exist and prosper in the financial marketplace. We will support efforts of credit unions to improve the financial well being of consumers.
And just as credit unions continually, in all facets of operations, work to demonstrate the value of membership, so will the Utah League of Credit Unions continually, and in all facets of operations, strive to demonstrate the value of belonging to the League.
We will communicate the credit union difference in our state and national Capitols so credit union members and potential members, legislators, regulators and the community at large will understand and appreciate the unique role that member-owned financial cooperatives play in the lives of people everywhere, everyday. We will work to make the Credit Union System stronger and more effective in protecting credit union interests.
This Statement of Commitment is our declaration to the public that we believe in credit unions. We believe in the credit union operating principles, in our motto, "Not For Profit, Not For Charity, But For Service" and in our philosophy of "People Helping People."
Table of Contents
Section 1: Service to Members
The Utah League of Credit Unions is committed to ensuring the availability of a wide range of products and services to meet the varying needs of our member credit unions from all asset sizes. ULCU strives to return financial value to all credit unions that participate in our member-owned organization.
Following are programs and services designed to improve the economic and social well being of credit unions and return financial value to our members.
Audit services: The CU-SERVE audit department offers diverse auditing services to credit unions at an affordable cost.
Cooperative ad campaign: Each year credit unions contribute to the cooperative ad campaign, which champions the credit union movement, and helps establish correct ideas about credit unions.
Government affairs: ULCU's team provides offensive and defensive legislative strategies to help credit unions serve consumers.
Graphic design services: Through CU-SERVE, we offer layout and design of credit union materials, ranging from logo design to newsletter production.
Media relations: Through working with the media, the League has helped create a positive image for credit unions in the state. Additionally, The League helps any member credit union produce press releases to garner attention from the media.
Printing: CU-SERVE also provides many kinds of printing services. From one color to three colors, we can print just about anything for a credit union.
Publications: The League publishes a quarterly magazine to inform credit unions on the movement's current events.
Strategic partnerships: ULCU works with multiple organizations to assist credit unions in achieving their goals.
Training: Through conferences and seminars, the League provides education for all levels of credit union staff: from CEO to front line employee.
Web site: The League's web site (www.ulcu.com) provides valuable information for consumers and credit unions.
Web site development: Through CU-SERVE, the League can help credit unions create a web presence to serve members.
New Services Planned for the Coming Year:
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Appraisal
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Biometrics
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Indirect lending
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Section II: Member Education
The Utah League of Credit Unions is committed to educating both members and consumers about credit union uniqueness, philosophy, and values. Additionally, we strive to give credit unions the tools they need to succeed, offering a wide variety of educational opportunities at affordable prices for every position within credit unions, from tellers to board members.
Current Programs that Support Member Education:
Certification: STAR, VAP, MERIT, VLP: The League can help credit union staff become certified in various areas of the credit union field.
Chapter meetings: Utah's five chapters meet regularly with educational programs.
Conferences: Annual meeting, Presidents' Conference, Spring Institute, Fall Institute, Presidents'/Chairmen's Conference, Marketing Conference, Technology Conference
Credit union philosophy: This training provides staff with the cornerstone of credit union operations.
Education sessions: The League covers many credit union topics in educational sessions at conferences, seminars, and training sessions.
Financials: Understanding financials for the non-financial employee.
KSL Foundation scholarships: Funds are used to assist credit unions with educational endeavors such as Western CUNA Management School.
Marketing & Human Resource Councils: Through councils, the League helps credit unions spread good ideas across the community.
On-site training for credit unions: The League can send someone out to a credit union to train them on just about any pertinent topic.
Satellite broadcasts: To broaden educational opportunities, the League provides periodic satellite broadcasts.
New Programs Planned for the Coming Year:
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Online Services
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Monthly Teller Training
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Video or Satellite
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Section 3: Involvement/Governance
The Utah League of Credit Unions will endeavor to preserve credit union democratic principles, including demographic representation and volunteer participation in League activities.
Current Programs that Support Involvement/Governance:
Annual meeting: At the annual meeting, credit unions can directly address the board of directors on issues facing the League. Board election results are announced at the business meeting.
Board of directors: Meets monthly to discuss credit union issues and events and determine the direction of the League.
Board Election: Every affiliated credit union has an equal number of votes toward the board of directors. No one credit union can disproportionately influence the outcome of the board composition.
Chapters: Five chapters meet nearly every month.
Committees: Governmental Affairs, Public Affairs, Family Involvement Council, Education, and others give input to and assist League staff.
Institutes: The Fall and Spring Institutes provide excellent opportunities for credit union volunteers and staff to interact with one another and League staff.
Roundtable discussions: Promotes open dialogue between credit union peers and the League.
Strategic Planning: The board meets annually specifically for strategic planning, and staff meets at least once a month to ensure the strategic objectives are on track.
New Programs Planned for the Coming Year:
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Section 4 Advocacy/Legislative Action
The Utah League of Credit Unions will continue to work as an activist in the financial service arena to ensure that Utah's consumers have access to credit unions. As a unified voice for credit unions, the League will communicate with legislators at the state and national levels to retain and enhance credit union political strength and protect their common interests.
Current Activities that Support Advocacy/Legislative Action:
Candidate training: Training is provided regularly to credit union candidates, in addition to training to assist credit union representatives in the election and legislative process.
CULAC fundraising & UCUPAC fundraising: Our PAC funds are utilized to support credit union friendly legislators.
Fundraising functions: Multiple fundraising efforts are made throughout the year to raise money for CULAC and UCUPAC. Additionally, ULCU is supportive, when appropriate, of numerous fundraisers for individual candidates and political parties.
Governmental Affairs Conference: ULCU hosts an annual GAC as well as supporting CUNA's GAC in DC.
Hike the Hill: ULCU organizes "Hike the Hill" visits at our state and nation's capitol.
Lobbying: ULCU's lobbying team works toward positive credit union legislation-maintaining existing as well as new legislation.
Outside lobbyist: Our staff team directs lobbyist in meeting credit union legislative objectives.
New Programs Planned for the Coming Year:
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Section 5: Diversity
The Utah League of Credit Unions recognizes the value of diversity in the programs that we offer, products and services that we provide, our Board of Directors representation, and staff members that we employ. We will demonstrate our commitment to our member credit unions by continually focusing on meeting the diverse needs of our member credit unions.
Current Programs that Promote Diversity:
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Board Composition: The board is composed of representatives
from different asset sizes as well as member who run "at
large" to represent the whole.
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Board elections: directors elected from asset categories.
To ensure that all credit unions have a voice in League
governance, credit unions from all asset sizes are represented
on the Board of Directors, and are elected by credit unions
of that asset size.
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Chapters: The geographic distribution of chapters offers
regional diversity
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Credit Union Development Fund: Many small credit unions
lack sufficient funding for technological and other needs;
this fund can help them fill those needs.
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CU-SERVE services: CU-SERVE offers low-cost solutions
to credit unions in graphic design, printing, auditing,
and other areas.
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Equal opportunity employer: The League does not discriminate
against any person on any basis.
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Section 6: Commitment to the Credit
Union Movement
and other Cooperative Activities
The Utah League of Credit Unions has a tremendous commitment to the credit union movement and to other cooperative activities. We will work to build and strengthen our unique credit union movement by providing resources to others within the credit union community, and by actively advocating the credit union difference at all levels of government and in other appropriate public forums.
Current Activities that Support the Credit Union Movement:
Advocating CU difference with elected officials: One key to credit union survival is that elected officials understand the ramifications of credit unions, and we seek to help them understand what makes us different-or the same, in some instances.
Chapter network: Through the Chapter system spread throughout the state, credit unions are kept in contact with each other and the League, and can address issues they find important.
Cooperative ad campaign: Each year, with the help of funding from credit unions, the League produces advertisements to educate consumers about credit unions.
CUNA: As a member of CUNA, we assist in their mission.
International Credit Union Day activities: Each year the League celebrates International Credit Union Day with activities designed to gain media attention and to serve the community.
KSL Foundation: The Karl S. Little Foundation provides scholarships to help credit union staff become more knowledgeable.
League support of CUNA, National CU Foundation, Credit Union House, Filene Institute, WOCCU: These organizations help to establish the credit union movement in all parts of the world and in many different ways; by supporting them financially, we are able to help their mission.
Project Differentiation promotion: By helping credit unions establish who they are and what they do, the League strengthens the credit union movement.
Public relations efforts: Through contact with the media, and by informing them of credit union and League activities, as well as through various social activities, the League helps consumers and legislators create positive associations with credit unions.
Recognition (awards programs): Credit unions perform many important acts of social responsibility, and through these awards programs they can gain the recognition they deserve.
Small credit union help: The League promotes and facilitates credit unions helping credit unions through monetary, furniture, and equipment donations.
Service Centers: Through Service Centers, the League has helped many small credit unions utilize six more branch locations.
New Programs Planned for the Coming Year:
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Brand campaign
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Project Differentiation
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Section 7: Public Service / Corporate
Citizenship
The Utah League of Credit Unions strives to be an active partner in our community. We recognize that practicing good corporate citizenship supports the credit union philosophy of "People Helping People." Furthermore, we will help raise the overall level of social and economic well being of those in our community, help to strengthen ties within the community, and better position Utah credit unions to reach out and serve.
Community Groups Currently Receiving Support and Current Public Service Activities:
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Classroom Presentations: Training and supplies are available through the
League and the Utah Credit Union Family Involvement Committee.
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Credit Unions for Kids: In 2005, the Utah League of Credit Unions raised
and donated over $41,000 for Primary Children's Medical Center, and encouraged
credit unions to also raise money for the hospital. Also in 2005, Utah's
credit unions donated a total of $289,972.99 to the hospital.
Jump$tart coalition: The League acted as a spearhead for this organization in Utah, bringing together many people and organizations to help educate children about finances.
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Multiple donations: Fire fighters, Special Olympics, National Children's
Cancer Society, American Cancer - Relay for Life, Safe Haven, and etc.
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Warm the Soles: 4505 needy children had warmer feet this year because credit
unions teamed with many organizations to provide them with shoes.
New Public Service Activities Planned for the Coming Year:
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