Royal Credit Union encourages giving back with volunteer rewards program

by: Kait Vosswinkel

The credit union movement could not exist without community investment, and to make the link more tangible, $1.3 billion Royal Credit Union, Eau Claire, Wis., is celebrating the 21st year of its volunteer program, which encourages and rewards volunteerism and member loyalty.

When Royal CU members invest in the community by volunteering four hours each month, they have the opportunity to join the volunteer program, gaining access to a free interest-bearing Royal CU checking account as well as free personal check printing.

Lindsey Brantner, a marketing specialist at Royal CU and the program coordinator, explains that for the board and executives, a volunteer program seemed like a natural extension of the CU’s vision.

“CUs are built by members, and the board just wanted to be out there,” Brantner says. “We wanted to be active in our communities.”

While the volunteer members’ average age is 48, there are a wide array of volunteers in dozens of fields, some as young as 19. Volunteering can encompass any number of fields, and the program’s only criteria are that the work is done for a non-profit organization and that it is done for free.

“The program attracts a mix of team members and members,” Brantner says. “Our volunteers are working at hospitals, churches, with Meals On Wheels, and all over the communities.”

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