The Boardcast

Financial Literacy For Younger Savers

Teaching young savers about the importance of wise management of money is a priority at UFirst FCU. Jody Carpenter, Marketing Director, added another school to the list of those which have benefited from UFirst Financial Education programs when she went to Morrisonville Elementary School and spoke with 400 students and their teachers. Jody gave students Cash Kit and Caboodle Kits. These kits are designed to teach children the concepts of saving, spending and sharing.  They include a moneybox, family guide and passbook, poster, activity book, glossary and letter to parents. The kits are made available in cooperation with the New York State Credit Union Foundation.

Members who are interested in arranging to have Jody introduce Cash Kit and Caboodle in their school districts should contact Jody Carpenter at UFirst.

Giving Youth The Credit Union Choice - Part Two

DeAndré Uphaw's recent video interview of students at Baylor University in Waco, Texas drew attention to the fact that many young people are unaware of credit unions. One of the students interviewed by DeAndré even associated credit unions with "older people" like his parents. These students seemed to believe that credit union membership was not a credible option in selecting a financial institution. UFirst FCU is trying to change this view. Partnering with local schools and credit unions, UFirst is introducing students to credit union philosophy and services. The Financial Savings Program was launched in 2007 in cooperation with Plattsburgh Teachers Federal Credit Union Credit Union and Plattsburgh High School in order to support financial education and introduce students to the power of saving and the benefits of local credit union membership. UFirst FCU hosted the start of another program year with a visit from students who are in the Accounting & Internship and Business Law classes at PHS. Students were accompanied by their teachers, Mrs. Karen Rock and Mr. Everleth, who are spearheading this program at PHS. Twenty-one students opened new accounts at UFirst FCU. Jody Carpenter, UFirst Marketing Director, and CEO Linda Bourgeois described the credit union difference and introduced the students to the products and services offered to members. They also answered questions posed by students on current economic challenges that face all Americans today. Students had questions and observations about the safety of financial institutions and, in particular, credit unions. They discussed how the credit crisis might have an impact on getting student loans in the future and what they can do to improve their credit and their opportunities for fiscal security. Jody Carpenter will be visiting these students at PHS throughout the year to be a guest instructor as part of the NEFE program. 

Thanks to Matt Smith, the program's website moderator, for adding information about the visit to the PHS website. Those of us at UFirst hope that these new members will continue a long association with UFirst and become ambassadors for credit unions introducing their friends and families to the credit union choice.

A Clearinghouse for Alternative Heating and Energy Help

CEO Linda Bourgeois, Director of Marketing Jody Carpenter and Loan Officers Colleen West and Lois Nichols were on deck at the Town of Plattsburgh Alternative Energy and Heating Fair at the Town of Plattsburgh Offices/Garage on Saturday, August 2, 2008. Hundreds of area residents attended the day to speak with vendors and get tips on how to save on their heating and energy costs this winter. Over 25 vendors joined and a number of public agencies who provide grants and loans to offset heating costs were present. UFirst FCU answered questions about credit union membership and the unique 0% Home Fuel Loan we are offering to members during the month of August.

Congratulations to Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Bernie Bassett, his staff and the volunteers who organized and hosted this valuable event. Scenes from the Alternative Energy and Heating Fair can be viewed by clicking this link to Flickr.

(Thanks to Jody Carpenter, UFirst Director of Marketing for this guest post)

Signs of Growth

Head Teller, Eric Arlt and Board Member, Ginny Brady attended a round table discussion and breakfast sponsored by the Adirondack Young Professionals (ADKYP) and underwritten by Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna LLP on Wednesday, March 26. ADKYP invited Michael Tucker the President of the Center for Economic Growth which according to their website

...is a private, not-for-profit, membership based economic and business development organization committed to visionary, regional economic expansion throughout New York State’s Capital Region and Tech Valley, a region of more than 1.1 million residents.

Many residents of the Champlain Valley do not realize that Tech Valley, which consists of numerous high tech companies, extends from Westchester County north to the Canadian Border. Mr.Tucker pointed out that this regional view of Eastern NYS is shared by many of the companies that have located in the area. He noted that some parts of Tech Valley are thriving while others are struggling. Integration and cooperation among the various political subdivisions is an important factor providing opportunities for training as well as attracting trained workers from other locations.

Mr. Tucker praised the work of organizations like ADKYP which is encouraging the retention and relocation of young workers to areas of growth in NYS. In Albany, ADKYP has a counterpart in GenNext a group of Capitol Region residents who are interested in supporting this effort in the Albany/Troy/Saratoga Springs area. Prior to the governorship change, Silda Spitzer had been spearheading the Brain Drain initiative called I Live NY, designed to examine the issues and circumstances that cause young New Yorkers to move from our state. Mr. Tucker expressed a hope that this effort would continue in Governor Paterson's administration. ADKYP has been formed to take up this cause in the North Country. Watch the Boardcast for more updates on ADKYP and an announcement about the launch of their new website.

Ufirst in the News

Ufirst in the News

UFirst FCU Joins the Fun at Trick or Treat on Safety St.

UFirst Account Representative Meghan McGee-Pelkey, Director of Marketing Jody Carpenter and Jody's daughter, Ashley greeted thousands of area children on Friday evening at Trick or Treat on Safety Street. City of Plattsburgh Recreation Department Director Randy Lozier estimated that around 8000 children enjoyed visiting the booths decorated and staffed by area organizations and businesses.

Plattsburgh High School Students Join UFirst FCU

Karen Rock brought students from her Career and Financial Management Class to Ufirst today to learn about credit unions and become members by opening share accounts. Jody Carpenter, UFirst Director of Marketing in cooperation with Anna Sherman, Manager of the Plattsburgh City School District Credit Union have joined Mrs. Rock in her efforts to encourage the students in her class to develop sound fiscal habits that will become a part of their adult lives. Students in Mrs. Rock's class are using the NEFE youth literacy program as part of their classroom instruction.  Many of the students are also participating in internships with local institutions, agencies and businesses who are sponsoring their savings accounts through matching savings amounts up to $100.  Some of the participating groups include: Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital; Bright Beginnings; Clinton County Nursing Home; JCEO Headstart; TJ Maxx; North End Repair; Petsmart; and Tractor Supply.

The Ufirst Board of Directors authorized the credit union to provide the $5 deposit required to open share accounts for each participating student.  In the name of board and the membership, CEO Linda Bourgeois, Director of Marketing Jody Carpenter, Head Teller Eric Arlt and Board Member Ginny Brady welcomed the students as new members of the credit union and encouraged them to use the services of the credit union to begin a habit of saving which will be the foundation of their financial security.

A short slideshow of the event can be found on the sidebar to the right.

UFirst FCU Sponsors Training for Teachers

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

UFirst FCU in partnership with the New York Credit Union Foundation and Cornell Cooperative Extension sponsored a day long training for credit union personnel, board members and teachers at the Valcour Educational Center on Thursday, 8/23. Diane La Vigna-Wixted, of the New York Credit Union Foundation, presented curriculum for the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE's) High School Financial Planning Program (HSFPP). UFirst CEO Linda Bourgeois, Marketing Director Jody Carpenter and Board Member Virginia Brady attended along with representatives from GP FCU, Peru Teachers FCU and faculty from Peru Central School, Saranac Lake Central School and Ausable Valley Central School.  The HSFPP is designed to be used both in school and in the community to teach teens financial responsibility and management. It is a free program that provides tested materials which meet both federal and state instructional standards. HSFPP includes units in goal setting, budgeting, saving, spending, and the importance of protecting financial information. The HSFPP website features materials for parents, teachers and students. Local schools and credit unions will be initiating this program with students this year.

Members who are interested in having this program introduced to administrators and faculty in local schools should email The Boardcast or email Jody Carpenter at UFirst FCU.

CEO Bourgeois

We extend our congratulations to CEO Linda Bourgeois who was recently chosen President of the Council for the Adirondack Chapter of the New York State Credit Union League.