Keeping you connected to key credit union news, events, and trends: June 5, 2019
In This Issue
Headline News

Convention's Interactive Sessions Begin with YOU: Vote Today! 
How do you want to play the game?

Attendees have valued the time  dedicated to rountables to discuss the latest challenges amongst their peers. This year, our convention agenda includes 90 minutes for concurrent facilitated roundtables. We want to know how you want to spend that time and make the most out of the experience!
 
Asset size or subject matter? It's up to you.  Click here to vote in our one question survey.  Your roundtable topic suggestions can also be submitted in the survey. 
 
But wait, there's more! Did you see that one of our breakout sessions is a panel discussion titled 'Leveraging the Credit Union Difference'.  This discussion will focus on ways to honor and build upon the Credit Union Philosophy to better serve your members. 

If you are interested in being one of our panelists for this session, please email [email protected] and share with us a few of your experiences and insights that you could share as a panelist.  

Keep up with League updates for added events. Questions? Contact the  League's convention team today!

Important Dates to Remember

June 19: Marketing Awards, Recognition Awards Deadline
July 9: Discounted Room Rate Deadline
July 12: Early Bird Registration Deadline

The Foundation's 2019 grant cycle is open. They are seeking requests for proposals from credit unions that want to document and measure the impacts of their products and services on member and employee financial health. The deadline for proposal submission is June 30, 2019.

Click here to continue reading.
LCUL "Open Your Eyes" Webinar Archived
Special thanks to those who attended yesterday's webinar on CUNA's national awareness initiative. The webinar has been archived for those unable to participate. Contact a member of the League's Communication department to access the link.

For more information on the awareness initiative, please contact Lacey H. Weaver, Senior VP of Member Engagement. 
YPN to Award 9 Scholarships to CRASH LCUL's Convention!
The Young Professionals Network (YPN) and LCUL partner up to award nine scholarships for young professionals to CRASH theLCUL Annual Meeting & Convention  in New Orleans. Members of YPN are encouraged to apply, and we've made room for at least one crasher from each chapter!
 
This year, crash scholarships recipients will attend and experience LCUL's Annual Meeting & Convention the same as any other attendee would. Crashers will be asked to attend the entire event, work one YPN Silent Auction Shift, and attend a short meet and greet with the YPN Steering Committee and other Crashers. Crashers are NOT asked to share hotel rooms.
 
LCUL will cover the cost of the Crasher's workshop and networking event(s) registration, and YPN will provide a stipend of $100 per night for hotel expenses (up to 3 nights). Additional hotel, travel expenses, and meal expenses will be the responsibility of the Crasher's credit union.
 
Interested in applying? Please get your supervisors and CEO's approval and complete this application by Friday, June 14, and email it to [email protected]. All applicants will be contacted about acceptance by Wednesday, June 26.
Young Professionals

One Down, One to Go: Past and Upcoming Baton Rouge YPN Meet-Ups
On Wednesday, May 29, over twenty Baton Rouge Young Professionals Network members met up at Bin 77 in Baton Rouge for a Spring Mixer. Thank you to everyone who came out for quality networking after work!
 
The Baton Rouge YPN members will meet-up again on Tuesday, June 11 at Neighbors FCU on YMCA Plaza Drive for a breakfast seminar from 8:00 - 9:30 am. Founder of THRIVE Sarah Broome will speak on the topic "Leadership Lessons Learned in the Trenches."
 
The investment in the event is $15 and includes breakfast. Interested in attending? YPN members can email [email protected] by Thursday, June 6.


Have you Heard?

4 Louisiana CU Leaders Among the 47 Graduating from Foundation's DE Program
Forty-seven credit union leaders were designated as Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs) after completing the National Credit Union Foundation's (the Foundation) Credit Union Development Education (DE) Training. 

Four of Louisiana's very own were among the 47. Congratulations to the following:
  • Brian Burton, Access of Louisiana FCU
  • James Hunter, New Orleans Firemen's FCU
  • Tori Williams, Neighbors FCU
  • Clinton Wilson, Ouachita Valley FCU
The training was held May 15-20 at the Lowell Center in Madison, Wisconsin and was attended by employees/volunteers from credit unions and system partners across the United States and the globe.
 
DE Training is a unique experiential training program that provides lessons in credit union structure, purpose and the "why" that differentiates credit unions from other financial institutions. During the Foundation's signature program, participants are involved in group exercises, field visits and interactive speaker sessions that provide insights into how credit unions can leverage their unique business model to help their members and communities overcome the financial and developmental issues they face.
Sidney Parfait Retires from POECU
On June 30, Sidney Parfait will be retiring from his position as President/CEO of POECU. Sidney began his career with POECU by being elected the Treasurer of the Board of Directors in 1983. When he was elected, the credit union was still a small institution that only provided consumer loans and savings accounts. During his time on the board, the credit union grew, and POECU began providing Christmas Club accounts and second mortgages.

On October 1st of 1996, Sidney became the President/CEO of POECU. POECU immediately added share draft accounts, Visa credit cards, debit cards, and first mortgage loans. In 1998, the main office was built on West Napoleon, and new branches were added across the Greater New Orleans Area in order to better serve the members.

During his time as President, Sidney has helped provide steady growth for the credit union and increase our size from a small credit union to a mid-sized credit union that now serves over 5,000 members.

"'People helping people' has always been the credit union motto. I have always used that to guide me," says Sidney, "I want to thank every member of the Post Office Employees' CU for allowing me to work for them."
Neighbors FCU Awards $30,000 in Scholarships to Baton Rouge Area Students

The Neighbors Capital Area Foundation awarded $30,000 in scholarships at its 2nd annual Neighbors Way Tuition Assistance Award ceremony. 
 
"On behalf of our members, management, the board of directors and entire credit union, we would like to congratulate our 2019 Neighbors Way Tuition Assistance Award scholarship recipients," Neighbors President and CEO Steve Webb said.  "We wish them the best as they move forward with their continued education."

 Schools participating in the Neighbors Mascot Checking Program were invited to nominate one graduating senior to receive the award. The Mascot Checking Program created customized checking accounts that provide money for the respective school for each debit card swipe. In 2018, this program raised $40,985 for participating schools.

Funds for the program are raised through two major avenues. The first is Neighbors' employee payroll donation program, which generated $13,812. The second avenue is from the foundation's annual fundraiser, Clays for a Cause, which generated a total of $14,464 in net proceeds last year. The remainder of the funds were generated from miscellaneous fundraisers and direct contributions from NFCU.

 Neighbors hosted the 2019 Clays For A Cause the day after the scholarship ceremony, which grossed $31,580 toward next year's scholarship fund.
Louisiana FCU Opens Branch in Gonzales
Louisiana FCU opened the doors to its newly renovated Gonzales Branch on Wednesday, May 15 with a grand opening celebration treating guests to free lunch, music and prizes.
 
Located at 38307 E Highway 30 in Gonzales, the branch provides Ascension Parish residents with a simple and easy place to save and borrow at reasonable rates. Mia Perez, Chief Administrative Officer for Louisiana FCU, said, "We advocate to have a space for our consumers to learn about their finances in an unintimidating way. We've intentionally adopted the vibrant look and feel of our building spaces so it's more approachable."
 
Louisiana FCU capped off the event with a $750 donation to Special Olympics Louisiana.


GNO FCU Announces 2019 Enola M. Fee Scholarship Winner
GNO FCU selected Charles Wellington recipient of the 9th Annual $1,000 Enola M. Fee Scholarship Award. Their scholarship program was designed to foster volunteerism in high school seniors.
 
The Enola M. Fee Scholarship was established in honor of a distinguished board member who devoted many years of volunteer service to the New Orleans community as well as to GNO FCU. The scholarship is given annually to a qualified graduating high school student to assist in the expenses for college.

This year's winner, Charles Wellington, is graduating from Holy Cross with a 5.2 GPA. Charles has worked with several organizations in the community over the years and receives joy from helping those most in need. Charles will stay in New Orleans and attend Tulane University in the fall and plans to continue his community outreach well into the future.

Selection criteria included academic performance and essay presentation on the topic, "How Do You Hope to Deliver the Philosophy - "Not for Profit, not for Charity, but for Service - Throughout your Life's Journey and What this Philosophy Means to You".


Pelican State CU Hosts Budgeting for Baby Workshop
Pelican State CU hosted a free Budgeting for Baby Workshop at the Baton Rouge Main Library on May 21. The workshop began with a shower game called "What's in Your Purse?" where guests earned points for different items they had with them. Winners received gift packs that included a "Pelican State of Mind" bib. In addition to game prizes, "Parent Survival Kits" and a Pack 'N Play were given out as door prizes! Dinner was also provided for all attendees.
 
Two Nationally Certified Credit Counselors gave the presentation together, keeping things interesting and offering different perspectives. Guests learned about various expenses that come with a growing family, gifts for kids that are priceless, utilizing their networks, how potty training children early can save lots of money, and more! 
 
Community partners were invited to set up booths at the workshop as a resource for guests, and three vendors came out with informational materials and fun giveaways:  Partners for Family Health,  Open Health Care Clinic, and  Family Road Healthy Start. 
Campus Federal Sponsors LSUS Alumni Pilots Golf Classic
Campus Federal sponsored the putting contest at the 20th Annual LSUS Alumni Pilots Golf Classic, a golf tournament to support raising funds for the students' scholarship needs and one of many events planned this year in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of LSUS.

Since its founding in 1999, the tournament has raised $284,000 in profits for scholarships, projects, programs and services that benefit LSUS. Of that amount, over $190,000 has gone directly to scholarships.
 
There were two flights, or groupings of golfers who competed against one another based on having similar skill levels, in the tournament. Eric Weatherly, owner of Independent Therapy Solutions, and teammate Travis Mitchell took home first place in the second flight for the Campus Federal team.
Centric FCU Launches "Simplified" Website
Centric FCU launched a new website featuring a clean, upbeat design and a simplified content management system. The website was designed and built by On The Mark Strategies , a recognized leader in speaking, branding, planning and marketing services for credit unions.
 
"When our executive team made the strategic decision to change website providers, we needed to move quickly to get a new site designed, approved and implemented," said Kelli Green, Vice President of Marketing for Centric FCU. "In three short months, we were able to do exactly that. The new website incorporates many elements from our previous site but creates an overall cleaner look and better user experience. Not to mention how much simpler the backend is for our marketing team! We now have full ownership of our site and couldn't be happier."

To view Centric FCU's new website, visit www.mycentric.org . 
Quote of the Week:
"Listening is a master skill for personal and professional greatness."
- Robin S. Sharm

Educational Calendar
Upcoming Conferences & Seminars from your League:

June 16-18:   LA/MS Volunteer Conference
June 18: Essentials of Share Accounts
June 25-26: ULend Academy
July 16: Effective Collection Practices
July 31-August 3: LCUL Annual Meeting & Convetnion 

Upcoming Teleconferences & Webinars from your League:

June 6: Handling Dormant Accounts, Unclaimed Property & Escheatment
June 10: Financial Literacy Fundamentals for New Directors: Financial Statements, Key Ratios & How to Monitor Your Credit Union
June 11: Essential HR Recordkeeping 
June 12: Handling IRA Required Minimum Distributions & Roth Distributions
June 13: Call Report Series: Financial Accounting & Reporting
June 18: Reg E Fundamentals
June 19: Electronic Returned Items: Combating Fraud
June 20: Effective Debt Collection Techniques & Strategies
June 25: Job-Specific BSA Training for the Board
June 26: Card Data Security: PCI-DSS Risk, Readiness & Compliance
June 27: Living, Grantor & Family Trust Accounts: Common Problems in Account Opening & Lending

For a complete listing of educational opportunities available from LCUL, visit the League website.
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(800) 452-7221   www.lcul.com