Keeping you connected to key credit union news, events, and trends: December 4, 2019
In This Issue
Headline News

With CUNA GAC Approaching, CUs Encouraged to Update Permission Agreements
The CUNA GAC, scheduled for February 23-27 in Washington, D.C. is considered the premier event for political impact in the credit union industry, drawing thousands of credit union advocates from across the country each year.  With the event fast-approaching, credit union advocates are encouraged to ensure their permission agreements for CULAC, the Credit Union Legislative Action Committee, are up-to-date.

The agreement authorizes the Louisiana Credit Union League and/or CUNA to solicit the credit union's executive or administrative personnel for contributions to CULAC. The credit union may only grant such prior approval to one federal credit union political action committee at a time.

The current form can be found of the League's website. For assistance with updating the permission agreements, contact the Angela Gervais, Vice President of Advocacy.
Your CU Could Win a Full Scholarship to CUNA's GAC
Credit unions with less than $120 million in assets now have the opportunity to win a scholarship to the Credit Union National Association's Governmental Affair's Conference in February.
CUNA Mutual Group is hosting its Small Credit Union GAC Scholarship Contest in order to give smaller credit unions access to the experience. Two winners will receive full GAC scholarships - including registration, airfare and accommodations.

In order to enter the contest, credit unions must first be signed up for at least one of the following emails: the Daily Digest, Real Time or Consolidated Daily Digest of the CUNA Small Credit Union Community. Then, credit unions must respond to at least one of the "GAC Contest Questions" posted each Monday from December 2 until January 24. Each answer counts as one entry into the contest. Credit unions may submit up to eight answers to eight different questions.

Tom Sakash, manager of CUNA Small Credit Union Initiatives, will host a live video drawing for the two winners on January 27. A link to to the video drawing will be posted on January 26, in the Discussion of the CUNA Small Credit Union Community. One winner will be picked from credit unions with $0 - $60 million in assets and one will be picked from credit unions with $60 - $120 in assets.

In addition to their scholarships, winners will be acknowledged during the Small Credit Union Roundtable on February 23.

Business Solutions

Looking For Ways to De-Stress this Holiday Season?
jmfa A compliant overdraft program can make the holidays merrier and create goodwill for the New Year.

Preparing for the holidays should be a time of joy and excitement. But it can be stressful when increased spending on gifts and all the trimmings leads to unpleasant financial surprises. Take a peek to learn how a fully disclosed overdraft strategy helps to lessen your account holders' financial stress during this special season and increases their financial stability in the New Year.

Professional Development

Leadership & Strategy Implementation Sessions Kick off Education 2020

On January 16th in Lafayette, LCUL will once again bring together five of our league leadership committees for meetings to plan for the year ahead at our Committee Conference. This year that event will include not one but two general sessions on leadership and strategic plan implantation that are open to everyone to come join in. 
 
The first session, will take place during breakfast with Jeff Rendel focusing on Leading at the Speed of Members and a second session will be presented during Lunch to discuss how Strategy is Everyone's Business. 
 
If you don't serve on a committee that is meeting between those two sessions, we encourage you to  bring your laptop and work remotely.  We'll provide internet access and a work space for you to return emails and voice mails, or you can network with peers, ask questions of league staffers and bounce ideas off Jeff Rendel himself! 
 
Committee members serving on the CULAC, Legislative, Foundation, Member Business Service Council & YPN Steering Committee need not register. Instead simply RSVP to the email you received from your league committee liaison.   
 
Young Professionals Network

Do You Want to Serve on the YPN Steering Committee?
We currently have the following openings on the YPN Committee:
  • Alexandria Area: 1 Seat Available
  • Baton Rouge Area: 1 Seat Available
The following is asked of all committee members:
  • Attend up to 6 committee meetings across the state of Louisiana (either in person or by phone)
  • Hold at least 1 'YPN Meet-Up' per quarter for YPN members in your area
  • Attend conference calls as needed
  • Be the go-to for questions from current and potential YPN members in your area
  • Participate in and lead special events in your area as needed (ie: YPN Workshop, ICU Day Financial Education Reading Initiative, and YPN Boot Camp)
If you are someone you know is interested in serving, please complete the  application and email that along with a letter of recommendation to [email protected] by December 20th.
Have you Heard?

Baton Rouge Area CUs Raise Over $59K For Children's Hospital During Single Event
Baton Rouge Telco Federal Credit Union, Campus Federal Credit Union, EFCU Financial, La Capitol Federal Credit Union, Neighbors Federal Credit Union, and Pelican State Credit Union joined together to host the 16th Annual Baton Rouge Area Credit Union Charity Golf Tournament and raised a record $59,605 for Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital.
 
This total was raised from a single golf tournament held on October 28, 2019, at Pelican Point Golf and Country Club in Gonzales, Louisiana, and it includes a $10,000 Miracle Match from CO-OP Financial Services. Miracle Match is a national philanthropic matching program that encourages credit unions to fund raise for local Children Miracle Network Hospitals such as Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital.
 
Over the last nine years, the golf tournament has raised more than $320,000 for Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital. Due to these, and many other efforts made by the Baton Rouge credit unions, the second floor Pediatric Surgery Waiting Area in the new freestanding hospital is named in their honor.
Ascension CU & Members Helping Sheriff's Christmas Crusade
Ascension CU presented a $14,000 check to Sheriff Bobby Webre for the Sheriff's Annual Christmas Crusade benefiting disadvantaged area children for Christmas. SO FAR... the Credit Union members have donated $9,000 and the Credit Union matched up to $5,000 bringing the up-to-date total to $14,000! The Credit Union will continue to line the credit union with members' donations through Tuesday, December 10th.
 
"This event makes me feel warm inside," Sheriff Bobby Webre said. "We get to see the community come together, helping one another. Thousands of parents are going to be filled with joy, because they can give their children presents for Christmas, whereas without this program they may not be able to. And I'm excited about Ascension CU's participation this year - It's generated enormous awareness and enthusiasm. We're very thankful!"
 
Even "McGruff -The Crime Dog" and Ascension CU's "Starsky" were in attendance for the check presentation; along with ACU's CEO Lloyd Cockerham, COO Susan Curtis and Sheriff Bobby Webre and staff.
Southwest Gives Back! 
The staff and members of Southwest Louisiana Credit Union participated in a three part service project to provide assistance to a local homeless outreach program in Lake Charles. 

Beginning in September our staff began promoting the sale of clear stadium bags at all of our branches with a $5 donation benefiting Water's Edge Homeless Outreach.  Sales were promoted through October 31.  Through the efforts of our staff and the support of our generous community, we raised $1500 to donate to the program for the purchase of cold weather resources to aid our homeless community.  Additionally, our branches held a peanut butter and cereal drive to assist with stocking the pantry with sustainable food items. 

On Thursday, November 14th, Southwest employees caravanned  to Waters Edge to provide a day of service! Our staff help organize shelter storage rooms, and prepare for pantry day. Nearly 1,000 people lined up on the cold wet Thursday morning to receive their biweekly bag of groceries to feed their families. The team of volunteers at Water's Edge were extremely thankful for every way we shared a helping hand. It was a truly satisfying and heartwarming endeavor to be a part of. 

This endeavor gave us an opportunity to demonstrate the "Credit Union Difference" by working toward our vision at Southwest Louisiana Credit Union of eliminating poverty in our community! We saw many of our own members in line to receive a bag of food. Many of those people were happy to see us serving and meeting the needs of the people...right where they were.
Mary Tillmon Retires from BRECO FCU
Mary Tillmon Retires From BRECO FCU after eighteen years of amazing dedication and service. She is known for her wit and deep love for the members, has been a rock and sure foundation for all she has served. During her tenure with the Credit Union, Mary has served in various capacities, most recently serving as Head Teller for the past six years. She has been a guiding light for us all, a positive individual with a deep gratitude for life. She will be sorely missed! Mary's final day with the Credit Union was November 26, 2019.
La Cap Declares Winner of "Live-a-Little" Sweepstakes
LaShon Scott of Gretna, Louisiana, won the $3,000 prize in La Capitol Federal Credit Union's "Live-a-Little" online sweepstakes. Scott was awarded the prize at La Cap's West Bank branch in Harvey.
 
"I am blessed, just in time for Christmas!" said Scott.
 
Contestants were asked to publicly state on La Cap's Facebook page what they would do if they won the $3,000. Answers ranged from paying off loans or credit card debt, to a dream vacation, to hosting a stress-free family Christmas.
 
"Congratulations to Ms. Scott," said La Capitol FCU President and CEO Michael Hooper. "La Capitol Federal Credit Union is proud to be a part of the greater Louisiana community, but it is always nice to see when an individual benefits like this from the way La Cap does business. Enjoy the prize, Ms. Scott!"
 
Contestants were allowed up to eight entries. Contestants earned chances to win by performing actions like signing up for La Cap's newsletter, visiting www.lacapfcu.org , learning how to become a member of La Cap, or sharing the contest with friends.
Quote of the Week:
"Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection "
- Winston Churchill

Educational Calendar
Upcoming Conferences & Seminars from your League:


January 16: Committee Conference and Brunch/Lunch & Learn

Upcoming Teleconferences & Webinars from your League:
   
  December 5:  IRS Reporting Requirements: 1098s, 1099s, TINs & Backup Withholding
  December 11:  Business Accounts: Who is Authorized to Open, Close, Transact?
  December 12:  Dealing with Joint Signers in Consumer & Real Estate Lending
  December 18:  Securing Collateral: How to Complete & File UCC-1 Financing Statements
January 7:  BSA High-Risk Members: Identifying, Enhanced Due Diligence & Monitoring
January  8:  Lending to Hemp Businesses
January 9:  Top 10 Issues for the 2019 HMDA Report: Due March 1, 2020
January 14:  Accounting Nightmares: TDRs, Foreclosed Assets, Investments & More
                                        
For a complete listing of educational opportunities available from LCUL, visit the League website.
Copyright © 2019 Louisiana Credit Union League 
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(800) 452-7221   www.lcul.com