Credit Union Youth Week Focuses on Importance of Saving

Credit unions across America ask, are kids on the right track to financial independence? For many of today’s young adults, the weakest link lies in learning the basics. Only 35% of teens know how to balance a checkbook or manage credit cards. During the past five years, a decline in overall financial knowledge is especially pronounced among 18-year-olds, and 13% fewer teens have bank accounts.* Achieving economic prosperity is difficult. It’s especially hard for young people who’ve never learned how to manage money. Your credit union is ideally positioned to respond because they believe in the power of education and have many youth financial literacy resources to offer. A few pointers to consider include:

• Join. As a start, open a savings account for each child in your family at the credit union. As soon as your children can write, have them fill out deposit and withdrawal slips. Guide teenagers through using a debit card and balancing a checkbook.
• Share. Include your children in your household finance discussions. Show them how you budget income and expenses. As their skills improve, give them challenges—such as finding a better cellphone plan, calculating the total monthly cost of owning a car, or sticking to a budget with back-to-school or holiday spending.
• Coach. Remind your children to ask for help when they need it. And turn to your local credit union when you want help. Our tradition of service and philosophy of self-help make credit unions a natural partner in pursuing financial security.

During the week of April 23^rd, WESTconsin Credit Union will be highlighting the importance of helping youth become excellent money savers in recognition of National Credit Union Youth Week. By teaching kids from an early age on how to save for their goals, they’ll have one of the most difficult aspects of saving under their belt by the time they’re adults—being a consistent saver.

 This year’s Youth Week theme is “Become a WESTconsin Super Student $aver!” WESTconsin Credit Union offices will celebrate by hosting on-site and off-site events and sponsoring a variety of financial literacy activities within each community. Families are encouraged to stop by their local WESTconsin office for games, learning activities and treats. Children who make a deposit into their Membership Savings account during Youth Week will be rewarded with a fun money pouch filled with goodies. Valuable online resources for children, parents and educators are available at westconsincu.org, and a full schedule of Youth Week activities at each office can be found here. 

*2011 Teens and Money Survey, Charles Schwab

WESTCONSIN OFFICES HOST FUNDRAISER FOR CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK

WESTconsin Credit Union’s annual Chain of Hearts fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) is again taking place throughout the month of February. The credit union is asking local businesses and individuals for their support of CMN by purchasing a heart or link at any WESTconsin office. Chain of Hearts links are available for $1 and chains are $3. Special recognition is given to those who donate $25 or more. The purchase of a heart or link will help kids receiving medical care at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, Minnesota, our region’s local CMN hospital.

As part of the nationwide Credit Unions for Kids effort, WESTconsin raises an average of $20,000 annually for CMN with last year’s funds totaling more than $30,000. Each year, more than 900 western Wisconsin children receive treatment from Gillette’s services. The credit union has raised nearly $160,000 for Gillette through a variety of means: bake sales, card sales, employee silent auctions and luncheons, and cookbook sales. The February Chain of Hearts campaign raises $10,000 by itself. WESTconsin employees also make an extra effort to involve themselves in the spirit of the CMN organization. Credit union staff has toured the regional facility, to see firsthand how their efforts positively affect Gillette patients and their families. Employees have also donated more than 140 DVDs to patients of Gillette, for viewing while they receive treatment at the hospital and then to take home.

Up, Up, and Away!

Check out an awesome winter community event this weekend – Hudson Hot Air Affair. WESTconsin Credit Union is proud to be the event’s Corporate Sponsor for the first time. There are a variety of activities including balloon mass launches, a moon glow, kids activities, torchlight parade, kite demonstrations, geocaching, live music and more. Check out the details at http://www.hudsonhotairaffair.com, on Facebook, or Twitter.

Be sure to check there to confirm that the 7:30a Saturday and Sunday morning, and 3p Saturday afternoon launches (if Saturday morning doesn’t happen) will take place.

My wife and I had the opportunity to take our first balloon ride Wednesday afternoon during a media preview of the event. It was an awesome experience! Thanks to the Jacobs family of Lakeland, Stillwater Balloons, and the Hot Air Affair organizing committee for the great experience!

During that ride, we learned of the efforts of the Jacobs family and others who are raising money to rebuild an orphanage in Haiti. www.flyanddineforhaiti.com KSTP 5 Eyewitness had a feature story on the efforts http://kstp.com/news/stories/S1400117.shtml?cat=206

Jay in Marketing

A Nearly Packer Perfect Day

I shared great a Sunday, November 22 trip to Green Bay with 51 other members of WESTconsin Credit Union as the Travel Club made its annual pilgrimage to the Hallowed Ground of Lambeau Field.  It was a un-November-like day weather-wise.  Greg from One-on-One Tours did a great job of getting us there and back comfortably and safely and he grills a tasty bratwurst too.  It was fun to reconnect with members who I knew and to meet some new friends too.  It was great to have members from throughout western Wisconsin share in a great Wisconsin sports tradition and fun.  Look for details in July 2010 for next year’s outing.  We’d love to have you join us!  Enjoy the pictures of tailgating (we were right behind the bus) and some members enjoying the Badger Fifth Quarter.

The Travel Club also has an offer for baseball fans.  Look for details in the first quarter of a trip to Miller Park in Milwaukee for a Brewers game.  

These are just a couple of the great outings and vacations offered by our Travel Club, another benefit of WESTconsin membership.  Sharrie Buss, our coordinator, does a great job putting together a variety of trips – day trips, cultural events, Minnesota State Fair, and domestic and international tours.  Check them out on our website westconsincu.org, your statement inserts, or in our member newsletter 90 Day Notes. 

I’m really looking forward to the Travel Club’s trip to Prague, Bavaria and the Passion Play this summer.  The Passion Play has been a tradition of the German village of Oberammergau for centuries.  When my father visited Europe as a young man, the Play was a major experience of his trip.  I look forward to continuing a family tradition. 

I’m thankful for many things – my family, friends, experiences, my work, and the people who make that work possible – WESTconsin Credit Union members.  I’ve had the honor and privilege to meet many of our members.  They may share different life stages, experiences, occupations, and financial situations.  But they are sincere, genuine, hard-working, nice people who I see are trying to make their lives and the lives of others as good as they can be.   The staff, management and directors of WESTconsin Credit Union are appreciative and thankful that our members have allowed us to help them in their financial journey. 

Nearly Packer perfect… well the 49ers did come back.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas season and a happy, peaceful and prosperous 2010!

Jay in Marketing

Hudson Hot Air Affair

WESTconsin Credit Union is the new corporate sponsor of the Hudson Hot Air Affair. Upon joining the Hudson community in 2004, WESTconsin has reached out with many community efforts, including a corporate Bronze Level Sponsorship and local fundraising for Relay for Life; events to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network; and toy and school supply drives. The credit union is a not-for-profit cooperative, and concern for the community is a main principle practiced by all cooperatives.

 James Wookey, Manager of the WESTconsin Hudson Office, is eager to extend the credit union’s efforts to support the Hot Air Affair in a major role, after sponsoring specific events at the winter festival for the past 5 years.

 “The Hot Air Affair is not only a great event for families to share, it also boosts traffic to local businesses,” Wookey said. “The festival allows visitors to enjoy the uniqueness of the Hudson community.”

Announcement photo of WESTconsin's corporate sponsorship of the Hot Air Affair.