As a new year dawns, new hopes and expectations arise for our team at the League. In 2016, we placed a heavy focus on streamlining internal operations to simplify processes and better support our credit unions. As we continue to focus on your present AND your future, we look to this new year to create a more engaging experience, ensuring you are making full use of your membership.
Member Survey in December 2016
We recently asked our credit unions to participate in a survey to gauge what you think about our service, effectiveness, and other factors. A summary of the results will be available on our website soon, but the number one action item is that we must better communicate our offerings and value. Below are just a few of the communication challenges we face as a state-wide trade association (which probably sound familiar to you as you strive to reach your members within a single household):
- Differing size and complexity of member credit unions that we serve.
- Credit union organizational charts and how you filter information from us to your staff and volunteers.
- Differing preferences for how we communicate with you - digital, in-person, or a combination of both.
- Contact management - how do we keep up with the staff changes at your CU's so that our message is consistently delivered to the right places?
New Services in 2017
Our highest goal is to promote credit unions and be your trusted partner in the movement right here in Louisiana. We are excited to implement the following initiatives in early 2017:
- Callahan's CUAnalyzer. Our members will have access to Callahan's CUAnalyzer tool at no cost
- With CUAnalyzer, you can easily export data and packets of graphs for your next board, staff, or strategic planning meeting.
- Pre-built packets make it simple for you and others to pull important financials throughout the year.
- Automatically send reports via email and add goals to your graphs making CUAnalyzer an efficient tool to have at your credit union's disposal.
- Prize-Linked Savings (PLS) Accounts. In April 2016, LCUL worked with the LA legislature to usher in the passage of a bill that allowed us to join the other 21 states offering this type of account.
- Members receive entries into prize drawings just for saving small amounts of money. Statistically, these accounts have led to actual savings behavior changes in those who are financially vulnerable (ie, many of our citizens).
- Credit unions work with LCUL to create a state-wide brand and contribute a small amount to the prize pool based on asset size.
- LCUL administers the program while your credit union receives great public relations exposure, new memberships, broader product penetration with existing members, and fulfills the credit union mission.
- Details are being finalized through our focus groups with a goal of opening the first account on July 1st.
- Access to Lower Cost Health Benefits.
- Through a partnership with Collaborative Office Solutions (COS), LCUL offers member credit unions the chance to experience cost savings on medical, dental, vision, and more. COS combines credit union census and uses it to negotiate lower pricing.
- COS acts as your payroll and benefits administrator, giving you a chance to redeploy staff to other member-facing functions, all while saving money.
- Details are being finalized with a goal of rollout for March 2017.
- Voter Voice Grassroots Advocacy System
- LCUL will better harness the power of the credit union community as your political watchdog.
- With a streamlined interface, you are alerted on the issue, matched to the correct elected officials, and guided through the message- sending process in just a matter of seconds.
- Voter Voice will be activated when it comes time to reach out to congress on an issue.
- With a credit union-friendly congress, this new system will make it easier to reach out to politicians faster and with a more unified message.
- LCUL's Peer Group Program (PGP). You have told us that networking is one of the key services we offer, and the PGP is a platform for you to connect, share ideas and resources, and collaborate. Benefits of membership include
- Access to PGP-only web resource
- Listserv/email forum
- Discounts on select PGP education
- Free quarterly webinars
- Quarterly newsletter highlighting hot topics, member spotlights, and more
- League Orientation. From products and services to training and fundraising, we have what you need to succeed. Attend one of our in-person orientations designed for those who are new to the movement and for those who simply need a refresher
- A spring and fall date/location will be announced soon, I encourage you and your staff to come see what League affiliation is all about.
With a number of other projects in the works, I am proud to say that we are just getting started. I encourage you to take full advantage of the partnerships we negotiated on your behalf and explore how they can bring greater value to your credit union.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact a member of our team for assistance.
On behalf of LCUL's board of directors and staff, I welcome you to this New Year with new enthusiasm and an even stronger commitment to helping credit union in Louisiana.
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