Connecting with Members this Holiday Season
by: Sharon Simpson, Credit Union Marketing Solutions
This weekend as I stood in the Galleria Mall in Dallas, TX waiting with thousands of others to see an ice skating, back-flipping Santa Claus (aka “Missile Toes” due to the pyrotechnics that shoot out of his ice skates), I was reminded of the much less crowded holiday party I organized for years at my former credit union.
Sure, we did not have fireworks or Brian Boitano there but we had presents for all of our kids’ club members, a nice Santa for pictures, free refreshments and arts and crafts. It was away from the mall and all the crowds and I can’t tell you how many parents thanked me for that.
Despite the fact that I had to beg other employees to play Santa each year to stay within our budget, convince my team that trimming a tree at work was just as much fun as trimming their own at home, and wrap countless Barbie dolls and matchbox cars, I always enjoyed that party. Seeing little girls in their holiday dresses and boys excited about their new Nerf ball made it worthwhile for all of us.
And for our members, it was a chance to take a breather and remember how their credit union was different. We welcomed the kids in to make deposits at our branch – whether it was $1 or $100 and we wanted to be part of the community. We also participated in other charitable drives during the holidays and encouraged members to join us, but the practice of inviting the children into the credit union each year was what seemed to stick with people.
Credit unions serve their members in so many ways throughout the year, that it surprised me how this two-hour children’s holiday party was one of the activities that our community remembered most. Sometimes it is truly about the little things, not having a big budget or calculating an amazing ROI.
During this season of giving, I encourage you to take a breather yourself and reflect on how your credit union is connecting with members now and how many other simple ways you could be in the future.
