July 7, 2008

HEADLINE NEWS

MDDCCUA’s Cooperative Marketing Campaign Wins Two CUNA Awards

WASHINGTON - The 2007 Cooperative Marketing Campaign titled “What’s In It For Me” has won two CUNA Blockbuster Awards for excellence in marketing and advertising. These awards were announced at the 2008 American Association of Credit Union Leagues’ Communications and Marketing Conference held June 23-26 in Washington, D.C. 

Specifically, the campaign was recognized in the categories of Best Credit Union Campaign (which includes statewide campaigns created for credit unions) and Best Credit Union Radio Spot. These coveted awards are the highest communications awards bestowed on leagues. “The What’s In It For Me” campaign was implemented through:

·         A specially-created website   

·         A six-week radio campaign on top-ranked stations in Baltimore, Western Maryland and DC delivering to the target audience of young adults and women

·         Ads that directed consumers to the new  “What’s in it for me?” website

·         Internet search engine marketing on Google and Yahoo

Congratulations to the Cooperative Marketing Committee members:

·         Mike Dilworth, Freedom FCU -  CMC Chairman

·         Stuart Clode, APGFCU - CMC Vice-Chairman

·         Theresa Berezansky, Transportation FCU

·         Steven Levin, NIH FCU

·         Vicki Samuels, Educational Systems FCU

·         Dorothea Stierhoff, MECU

·         Peggy Young, SECU

MDDCCUA Provides Electronic Titling Services

COLUMBIA, Md. - The Maryland and DC Credit Union Association is working in conjunction with FDI Collateral Management to administer the electronic titling process for vehicles registered in jurisdictions where the service is offered. FDI is the leading provider of electronic titling in the nation.

It is important to note that the deadline for mandatory electronic titling in Pennsylvania is July 10, 2008 – although there is a grace period extending until July 30.

If your credit union plans to title vehicles outside Maryland, you can receive training and access through MDDCCUA and FDI.  MDDCCUA plans to host an informational webinar shortly for credit unions interested in the service so your institution is in compliance with the Pennsylvania deadline.

For more information, please contact Director of Business Services Dawn Johnson at 443-325-0768.

CUNA Regulatory & Compliance School Scheduled for August 25 - 28

COLUMBIA, Md. – This school is an absolute “must” for anyone who wants to stay current on what’s happening in the world of compliance. Participants will get updated on the hot issues in 2008 by industry experts will hear about the compliance challenges they see facing credit unions.  The session will include valuable discussion about ways your credit union can get through these challenges.    

This Risk Management & Advanced Compliance School is intended for compliance staff and other credit union professionals who have had compliance training in the past two years.   A study session and exam time will be provided to give you an opportunity to re-certify your Credit Union Compliance Expert (CUCE) certification during the school.  The school will be held in MDDCCUA’s Columbia office.

Foundation Offering Scholarships Regulatory Compliance School for Small CUs

COLUMBIA, Md. - The Credit Union Foundation of MD & DC is offering five $1,000 tuition reimbursement scholarships to credit unions with less than $25 million in assets to attend the CUNA Regulatory Compliance School - Update on August 25th to 28th, 2008 at the Maryland & District of Columbia Credit Union Association offices in Columbia, MD.  This scholarship program is designed to help emerging credit unions gain the benefits of staff development.

The Credit Union Foundation is committed to the success of a strong, viable credit union movement.  Staff development, education, and emerging credit union support are among the Foundation’s priorities.

This scholarship program, like all Foundation efforts, is made possible through the generosity of our donors.  To see a listing of our valued sponsors, please click here.

Details on the four-day session can be viewed by clicking here or by calling 410-290-6858 ext. 104.

Upon successful completion of this staff development session scholarship-awarded credit unions will receive reimbursement for up to $1,000 to help defer the cost of the session.

An application for the scholarship is available for download by visiting the Foundation’s website CU Staff and Volunteer Scholarship page at http://cufmddc.org/scholarship.htm

Register Today for July Training Events

COLUMBIA, Md. - Take advantage of these educational opportunities. Just click on the title for details.

Ocean City Hotels Lined Up For 2009!

COLUMBIA, Md. - For those of you who plan ahead, Ocean City hotels are now available for registration for MDDCCUA‘s 4^th Annual Meeting and Convention, scheduled for June 10-13, 2009.  Make your reservations now to ensure your accommodations for next year.

A list of hotels is available online for your review.  Please note that 2008 prices are listed and are subject to change.

For more information contact Diane Pinter at 443-325-0779.

CU HAPPENINGS

Atlantic Financial FCU Holds Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

BALTIMORE - Atlantic Financial Federal Credit Union held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new branch located at 1 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, Md. on June 26. In attendance were AFFCU’s Board of Directors and employees and representatives from downtown companies.

“Our new branch location has a three-fold purpose; provide convenience to our existing members, offer the opportunity for other Inner Harbor based businesses to become members of Atlantic Financial, and to serve other credit union members as a shared branch in our coast-to-coast network of over 3,400 branches," said Rick Webb, AFFCU President & CEO. 

Left to right: Bonnie Mascaro, VP of Member Services; Joe Droney, AFFCU Board Chair; Rick Webb, President & CEO; Barbara Neff, Inner Harbor Branch Manager.

While AFFCU has had a branch at this location for almost 20 years, the branch was remodeled and moved closer to the skywalk. This is AFFCU’s second branch and is a full service shared branch. 

MECU Book Drive Delivers the Goods

BALTIMORE - For seven years, the employees of MECU of Baltimore Inc. have collected children’s books which are distributed to its six partner schools -- one to each student to take home at the end of the school year.  For 2008, MECU team members collected 3,730 children’s books.

The MECU staff gets very creative in gathering books for the book drive.  While some of the books are ones their children have out grown, a group of employees regularly scour yard sales and flea markets for “lightly-used” children’s books.  Others have had good success finding books at their local Goodwill.

MECU President and CEO Bert J. Hash, Jr. discusses book choices with a student.

To help cover the cost of books from yard sales and flea markets, MECU employees had their own flea market.  People brought in their unused treasures to sell at the MECU headquarters and at the seven branches.  Over $800 dollars was raised to purchase books. 

MECU’s children’s book drive started with its partnership with Ft. Worthington Elementary School and expanded as the MECU branches adopted schools in their communities.  Books that are too young for elementary school age children are donated to Our Daily Bread’s Family Corner – an area set aside for clients with children to sit, eat and read as a family.

Andrews FCU Commemorates 60 Years with Member Appreciation Day

SUITLAND, Md. – On Saturday, June 21, Andrews Federal Credit Union commemorated its 60^th year in business with a Member Appreciation Day celebration.

The event had a moon bounce, face painting, carnival games for the kids and an autograph signing with former Washington Redskins player Brian Mitchell. Members also had the opportunity to win top prizes including up to $1,000 in the cash machine, Washington Nationals baseball tickets, a DVD player, Andrews Federal paraphernalia and a football dedicated by Brian Mitchell.

“This year’s celebration was absolutely wonderful. Our members are the true reason for our existence. We are constantly listening to their needs to develop the financial products and services they need for their lives,” said Damita Robinson, Senior Vice President.

Andrews Federal will continue the 60-year celebration throughout 2008 with “Give-Back Fridays” in each branch. Members are invited to visit the branches for refreshments, prizes and more.

Organized in 1948, Andrews Federal has over 83,000 members and approximately $801 million in assets.

MCT Awards Over $6,000 in Scholarships in Memory of Former Employee

ROCKVILLE, Md. - Four MCT Federal Credit Union members were recently awarded $1,500 each through the annual Bill Teel Memorial Scholarship program. Additionally, one family member of an MCT employee, Kristin Del Balzo, was awarded with a $1,500 scholarship.

The following four MCT members were awarded with Bill Teel Memorial Scholarships:

·         Shawn McNally, Hood College

·         Marcela S. Santos, Grinnell College

·         Uchenna Emeche, Case Western Reserve University

·         Benjamin Schanker, Boston University 

Over 125 members applied for the Bill Teel Memorial Scholarship and were judged on their extracurricular activities, community involvement, and an essay describing their academic ambitions and plans. One recipient, Uchenna Emeche, says that the scholarship money she receives will help finance her medical degree, which will in turn help her achieve a long-term goal of expanding access to quality health care to citizens of Southeast Nigeria.

Another scholarship recipient, Benjamin Schanker, who plans on double-majoring in Biology and Human Physiology, is thankful to MCT for its financial support.  “I appreciate that MCT places such a strong emphasis on education,” Schanker said. “They’ve helped relieve some my financial burden, especially since I plan on attending graduate school to study public health after I complete my undergraduate degree and possibly volunteer in the Peace Corps.”

The Bill Teel Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of a former MCT employee who was employed between the 1970s and 1980s and helped bring innovative technology to the organization. He is remembered as a model employee with a strong work ethic who always went above and beyond his duties to help the organization. At one point, he acted as an interim CEO, but was best remembered for his ability to increase morale and enthusiasm among his fellow employees and his willingness to go the extra mile.

REGULATORY AFFAIRS

Free NCUA Workshop Scheduled for July 22 in Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Credit Union Administration is holding several free credit union workshops nationwide, primarily geared toward credit unions with assets under $50 million, including one on July 22 in Alexandria, Va.  Topics include the following:

·         Changes to the 5300 Call Report

·         Common BSA violations

·         Third-party relationships - due diligence

·         Modifications to CAMEL rating

·         Attracting & recruiting volunteers

·         Expanding CU services through partnerships

Here's the link to all of NCUA’s upcoming workshops/roundtable events, including the one in Alexandria in July:

http://www.ncua.gov/CreditUnionDevelopment/Events/Index.htm

NCUA Board Meeting Schedule for 2008

Click here to get a copy of the NCUA Board meeting schedule for 2008. 

Resource Information for Area Roundtables

Our area has several active Roundtable Groups that provide essential services and promote professional growth and development.  Please direct your email or phone calls to the contacts shown in the respective Roundtable listings located on the MDDCCUA Roundtable web page.   

A WORD FROM OUR PARTNERS

Children's National Day at Nationals Ballpark Set for July 13
WASHINGTON - Discounted tickets are available for the Sunday, July 13 Washington Nationals vs. Houston Astros game at 1:35 pm. Help the Washington Nationals and Children's National Medical Center fight diabetes! 

$15 of every ticket sold will help build a new diabetes care complex at Children's. 

$25.00 Right Field / Left Field Mezzanine (original gate price $33.00)
$40.00 Right Field / Left Field Baseline Reserved (original gate price $54.00)

To purchase tickets, visit www.nationals.com/childrensday, or email Julie.Lovins@nationals.com with the number of tickets you want (there is no service fee for email orders).

Submit Press Releases and Photos to FOCUS

If your credit union has an upcoming event, news, or a milestone such as an anniversary, please e-mail releases and photos (in .jpg format) to sturner@mddccua.org.  The deadline for submission of articles is close of business on Wednesdays.

 Maryland and District of Columbia Credit Union Association 

8975 Guilford Road, Suite 190
Columbia, MD  21046

1701 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 450

Washington, DC  20006-5805
 

(800) 492-4206 (Toll free)

(410) 290-6858 (Local)
fax: (410) 290-7832 MD

Fax: (202) 331-7851 DC 

The mission of the Maryland and District of Columbia Credit Union Association is to promote, develop and support the credit union movement through advocacy and education. 

FOCUS Newsletter Submissions: Press releases, stories or other submissions for FOCUS should be sent to sturner@mddccua.org by close of business each Wednesday and will be published in the following edition, space permitting.  

The format should be in Word and the font should be Arial 10. We will make every effort to make your information available, either directly in the FOCUS or on the MDDCCUA website with a link in the newsletter. If you would like to subscribe to FOCUS, please email Sarah Turner.

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