The Boardcast

International Credit Union Day - October 16, 2008

UFirst FCU will celebrate International Credit Union Day with 11,000 other US Credit Unions on Thursday, October 16, 2008. Jody Carpenter, Director of Marketing, has organized the festivities which include donuts and cider. Students from Mrs. Karen Rock's Career and Financial Management Class at Plattsburgh High School will be visiting UFirst to learn about credit unions. These students have begun the NEFE (National Endowment for Financial Education) program which will include presentations by Jody Carpenter and an opportunity to open accounts at our credit union.

Here are some credit union statistics for International Credit Union Day

70 million Americans belong to credit unions.
There are 8224 Credit Unions throughout the United States.
536 of them are in New York State.
There are 10 credit unions in Clinton County.

UFirst Federal Credit Union Annual Meeting

The UFirst Federal Credit Union Annual Meeting was held at the Burgundy Room on Sunday, September 21, 2008. Approximately 160 members and their families attended the annual brunch. Each member received the annual financial report for 2007. These reports are available to members who were unable to attend the annual meeting. CEO Linda Bourgeois is available to answer questions members may have on this report. President Peter Zielinski spoke about the activities of the board of directors and the status of the credit union. Many customers of financial institutions are worried about the safety of their accounts during our current nationwide financial crisis. President Zielinski assured members that the UFirst management and board are vigilant in our oversight of the accounts that members entrust to us.

CEO Bourgeois and Director of Marketing Jody Carpenter organized and distributed prizes during the brunch. Senior Loan Officer Colleen West was the winner of the 50/50 raffle. The proceeds from this raffle are donated to the CVPH Pediatrics Unit to benefit the Care of Kids Program. Colleen returned half of her winnings to add to the money collected during the raffle ticket sale.

Board Vice President Ginny Brady and Director of Marketing Jody Carpenter took pictures during the event. These pictures are available on Flickr. Click on this link to see the photos from the day.

A Festive Gathering At UFirst FCU

UFirst Marketing Director Jody Carpenter and the members of the management team and staff have been planning the Chamber of Commerce After Hours since we moved into our Rugar St. Operations Center last June. This gala gathering took place on Thursday, August 21 and was attended by over 100 members of the local business community. The Plattsburgh North Country Chamber of Commerce After Hours has a reputation for giving professionals a wonderful opportunity to network with other key people in the community. The gathering that was held at UFirst met those expectations. It also gave UFirst management, board and staff a chance to showcase our wonderful credit union building and services. Many of those attending remember when UFirst was SUNY Plattsburgh FCU and was located in the Kehoe Administration Building and then in Hawkins Hall at the State University of NY at Plattsburgh. It was delightful to receive their compliments on our new offices.

Attendees who brought school supplies to be distributed to needy children were entered into a special prize drawing. In addition, prizes were donated by Buck's Supply and Distribution, Primelink, Media Central, Kneucraft Jewelers and UFirst FCU. 

One of the local leaders I had an opportunity to speak with was Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Bernie Bassett. We discussed the success of the town's Alternative Energy Fair which was held at the town offices the first weekend in August. Bernie complimented UFirst's staff and management who participated in this special event. He praised the 0% Home Fuel Loan which was launched at the fair and has been available to member during the entire month of August. Bernie has always been an advocate of the credit union movement whose underlying purpose is to be responsive to the needs of members. Bernie observed that this loan product, which has been offered at a time when many of our members are expecting to pay large increases in fuel costs, reflects the true spirit of credit unions.

(Here is a link to the UFirst After Hours Flickr Slideshow)

 

International Credit Union Day

More than 172 million credit union members around the world will celebrate International Credit Union Day on Oct. 18, 2007, to commemorate the credit union movement’s history and achievements. In honor of this special day, UFirst FCU invites members and visitors to our credit union to join us for donuts, apples and apple cider. In honor of the day, we will be holding a coloring contest for children. All children who color a poster will be entered into a drawing to win a Crayola backpack full of art supplies. Watch for photos of the event on The Boardcast.

Since 1948, International Credit Union Day has been celebrated annually on the third Thursday of October. Each year, it affords the opportunity to remember our proud history and promote understanding and support for the credit union difference. This year’s theme, “Together We’re Better,” reflects the value of credit union cooperation on all levels for members from all walks of life. Working together, credit unions build stronger institutions and more effectively serve their members.