Press

Voting Now Open for Best CU Member Story

Contact:
Christopher Morris
608-231-4374 | cmorris@ncuf.coop

Madison, Wis. – – For the second year in a row, the National Credit Union Foundation’s (NCUF) is asking individuals to vote for the best credit union testimonial out of five finalists posted on the REAL Solutions Impact Center (www.realsolutions.coop). Capturing testimonials on video from members who have been positively impacted by their credit union are valuable in illustrating how NCUF’s signature program REAL Solutions® is impacting the credit union movement.

“We had a great response to this contest last year and with good reason,” said Lois Kitsch, National REAL Solutions Program Manager. “Hearing and seeing a member passionately talking about how their credit union experience has made the real difference is what this contest is all about. While we can only have one contest winner, each story exemplifies what makes credit unions unique and special.”

How to Vote
Anyone and everyone is being called on by NCUF to choose the final winner by Friday, January 21. To cast a vote, individuals are asked to visit the Real Solutions Impact Center web site www.realsolutions.coop and click the “Vote” link on the homepage. Each voter can cast only one online ballot per computer. Click here to cast your vote.

The field was narrowed down by NCUF from 30 video entries to 10 that were the most compelling examples of credit unions in action. Then an external judging committee representing credit unions and credit union organizations narrowed the field down to 5. The finalists are:

Tamika Anderson, who relays how her spending habits, particularly relating to her car and home, got back on track thanks to financial consultations and budgeting help from ELGA Credit Union in Burton, Mich.
Andrew Gaines, who talks about how Lakeside Credit Union in Milwaukee, Wis. saved him from buying a home he couldn’t afford.
Robin Pharo, who shares how Summit Credit Union in Madison, Wis. put people before profit and when granting her small business a loan.
Saundra Marie Ramirez, who discusses how SchoolsFirst Credit Union in Santa Ana, Calif. has helped her repeatedly with honest financial advice and support.
Oscar Rivera, who shares his story of becoming a homeowner and small business owner with help from Guadalupe Credit Union in Santa Fe, N.M.

Winning Videos

The grand prize-winning entry will earn a free trip to Washington, D.C. for the featured member and one representative from the credit union and state league. As guests of NCUF, the winners will share the stage at a VIP event held prior to the Wegner Awards Dinner which is held during the Credit Union National Association’s Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), February 27 –March 3, 2011. In addition, the member will receive a savings account deposit of $500. The member(s) featured in the four remaining videos will receive a savings account deposit of $250.

Last year’s contest winners were Spectrum Credit Union’s Dorothy James and Community First Credit Union’s Gregory Family.

About REAL Solutions

REAL Solutions® is the signature program of the National Credit Union Foundation. REAL — ― “Relevant, Effective, Asset-building, Loyalty-producing” — Solutions works to help credit unions offer a wide range of products and services that have proven successful in serving working families with low wealth and modest means. Using product/business models created and tested by credit unions, REAL Solutions disseminates information to credit unions through special meetings, an online impact center at www.realsolutions.coop, and state and national conferences. As NCUF’s signature program over the past three years, REAL Solutions has been adopted in 40 states and is saving members tens of millions of dollars. It has now become a documented business strategy for credit unions to grow their memberships by serving the underserved. Real people with real needs are finding REAL Solutions at credit unions.

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About the National Credit Union Foundation (ncuf.coop):

The National Credit Union Foundation is the US credit union movement’s primary national philanthropic program provider, fundraiser and grant-maker. Through NCUF grants and programs, credit unions provide widespread financial education, create greater access to affordable financial services, and empower more consumers to save, build assets, and own homes.

NCUF is funded primarily by investments in the award-winning Community Investment Fund (CIF) and by generous Supporters led by the Credit Union National Association, CUNA Mutual Group, Harland Clarke, CO-OP Financial Services, STAR, California & Nevada Credit Union Leagues, Card Services for Credit Unions, and VISA. All NCUF donors provide support that empowers NCUF and state credit union foundations to make a real impact in the credit union community.

The National Credit Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization and continues to earn the Better Business Bureau seal of approval as an “Accredited Charity” for meeting all 20 BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards for national charities.