| To our member credit unions, |
The League's Annual Convention at a Glance.
The Arizona Credit Union League held the 2008 year's Annual Convention at the Starr Pass Resort, a new location in Tucson. It was a successful event continuing to move the League into a new time with new  leadership and exceptional programming. Showcased at the convention was the League's new website, which will go live in September and will include the League's new logo.
The event kicked off with a golf tournament and transitioned that afternoon into the opening of the convention hall and ended the evening with the League's first ever casino night, which was well received by the attendees.
The second morning began with an engaging general session with a presentation by, Patrick Kuhse on The Psychology of Ethics: Why Smart People Can Do Dumb Things. The day quickly moved through some small group breakout sessions on topics such as: Due Diligence, Strategies for Growth, The Why's behind Gen Y and the Changing Political Landscape; which also included an afternoon General Session with a Presentation by John Vardallas, CEO, The AmericanBoomeR Group. The evening ended with an awards dinner to honor this year's 2008 VOCUP recipient, Steve Dunham, CEO of Canyon State Credit Union.
Following a laser light show by FirstCorp during their Annual meeting, The League held their Annual Meeting and presented several awards. Some of the awards that were given include the CUPA awards which were awarded to A.P.C. Employees Credit Union, Arizona Heritage Credit Union, Pinal County Federal Credit Union, and Tombstone Federal Credit Union. Additionally, it is customary to recognize those individuals and credit unions that support the League's advocacy efforts. This year eleven credit unions received awards for 100% Board Participation in the Capitol Club: AEA FCU, Arizona Central CU, Bashas' Associates FCU, Canyon State CU, Credit Union West, Desert Energy CU, Desert Schools FCU, First Corporate CU, Hughes FCU, Pyramid CU, and TruWest CU. This is also a milestone recognition year for TruWest CU, as it is the 15th straight year they have achieved 100% Board Participation!
The three day event then concluded with a brunch for Children's Miracle Network and Credit Unions for Kids. Renee Erlenmeyer announced that credit unions, chapters and affiliated organizations raised $510,250 for Arizona's two CMN Hospitals - Phoenix Children's Hospital and Tucson Medical Center. And after meeting JC Boyd and his mother, everyone in the room had a clear understanding of what makes credit unions different.
To wrap up everything, new leadership of the Arizona Credit Union League was announced. The new officers of the League Board are as follows: Colleen Curtis, Secretary; Susan Frank, Treasurer; Bob Ramierez, Vice Chairman; and Steve Dunham, Chairman.
To view photos from the event follow the links below.
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| Legislative & Governmental Affairs Update |
Earlier this year, a pair of bills attempting to regulate interchange fees was introduced in the United States House of Representatives and Senate. Both H.R. 5546 and S. 3086 would establish a three-member board appointed by the Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department to regulate interchange rates. The board would consider "the appropriate weight to be given to any evidence submitted by a party regarding the rates and terms for access to comparable electronic payment systems, including rates and terms set forth in voluntarily negotiated access license agreements."
Credit unions strive to meet their members' comprehensive financial needs. It is critically important for our members that credit unions are able to offer credit cards. Credit cards obtained through credit unions offer competitive rates and consumer-friendly terms. By managing a credit card account through a credit union, a member is able to effectively manage their bills and establish a strong credit history. From purchasing groceries to gasoline, credit cards and debit cards are essential financial tools credit union members use several times a day.
The Arizona Credit Union League and CUNA opposes statutory and rulemaking changes that would regulate interchange fees as such action would adversely affect consumer options, competition and technological innovation. Interchange fees allow business costs, including the risk of consumer nonpayment, to be shared by the payments participants. Discussions regarding what value should be placed on the use of electronic payments should be within the purview of the industry participants.
In addition, we believe interchange legislation would impose unnecessary regulation over the card transaction interchange fee process by establishing a costly governmental tribunal that would be authorized to impose its decisions on a system that is more appropriately governed by the market. Government interference in this working market stands to harm all participants, including consumers, merchants, and financial institutions. To express your opposition to both bills visit our Political Action Center at http://capwiz.com/cuna/az/home/.
If you have any questions regarding Interchange Fees please contact Austin De Bey at your League.
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Political Affairs & Grassroots Update |
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The Next Step in Advocacy
The Arizona Credit Union League has launched a new grassroots initiative called the ACUL Advocacy Network (AAN). The idea behind this new program is to strengthen our advocacy efforts through a program that is inclusive of all credit union leaders and emerging leaders. There are several levels of participation that an individual may choose ranging from participating in informed advocacy to taking on a leadership role as a Political Captain or Key Contact.
AAN will provide education, training and opportunities for members to become involved in the credit union movement. What better way for credit union employees to learn about state and federal issues that affect the credit unions that they work for and allow them the opportunity to help.
For more information, you may contact Joy Audet at your League.
Upcoming Events and Political Involvement Opportunities
Meet & Greet with Congressman Franks
The Arizona Credit Union League is co-hosting a Meet & Greet Candidate Appearance with Arizona Federal Credit Union for Arizona's Representative Trent Franks (CD-2).
Rep. Franks supports credit unions and would like to meet credit unions leaders, so the event was planned with little notice. We hope many of you will join us for it.
Date:
Tuesday July 1, 2008
Time:
8:00 to 9:00 AM
Location:
Arizona Federal Credit Union
Bell Road Branch
5505 West Bell Road - Glendale, AZ 85308
Candidate Appearance with Congressman Shadegg
The Arizona Credit Union League is partnering with Canyon State Credit Union to give all Arizona credit unions leaders the opportunity to meet Arizona District 3 incumbent candidate, Congressman John Shadegg.
Please join us on Monday, July 21st for this informative candidate appearance where you will have the opportunity to express the key issues from your credit union's point of view. This is also an opportunity to cross-network within the credit union community.
For more detailed information and to RSVP please contact Joy Audet. Monday July 21, 2008
5:00 to 6:30 PM
The Home of Steve Dunham
6321 W. Buckskin Trail
Phoenix, AZ 85083
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| Credit Unions In The Community |
Arizona's Credit Unions Raise Over $510,000 Through Credit Unions for Kids
Since 1995, Arizona's credit unions have raised over $3 million dollars for the Children's Miracle Network through Credit Unions for Kids. This year was no exception with a record $510,000 raised for Phoenix Children's Hospital and Tucson Medical Center. At the recent ACUS Annual Convention's Credit Unions for Kids Lunch, credit unions were recognized for their outstanding fundraising efforts during 2007. Special recognition was given to credit unions in several asset categories.
In the under 10 Million in assets:
Raising the Most Money - Maricopa Santa Fe FCU - $1,916
Raising the Most Money per Member - Maricopa Santa Fe FCU - $2.35
$10 - 20 million in assets:
Raising the Most Money - Cochise Credit Union - $1,792
Raising the Most Money per Member - Cochise Credit Union - $.49
$21 - 99.9 Million in assets:
Raising the Most Money - Bashas' Associates FCU - $8,589
Raising the Most Money per Member - Bashas' Associates FCU - $1.29
$100 -$499.9 Million in assets:
Raising the Most Money - Arizona Central CU - $50,000
Raising the Most Money per Member - Arizona Central CU - $.66
$500 million and over in assets:
Raising the Most Money -Desert Schools FCU - $340,000
Raising the Most Money per Member - Desert Schools FCU - $.94
The Credit Unions for Kids Traveling Trophy is presented each year to the credit union having the HIGHEST percentage increase in money raised over the previous year. This year's winner with a 141% increase is Bashas' Associates FCU.
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| Regulatory & Compliance Update |
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InfoSight Has Arrived!
After months of preparation, ACUL Infosight is finally here. Infosight is a free online compliance resource for all of Arizona's member credit unions. It is available 24 hours, 7 days a week to provide timely information and analysis about an array of state and federal topics. Infosight contains concise and easily understood information, checklists and summaries, model policies, and a weekly e-newsletter that spotlights the hottest issues in compliance that affect credit union operations. Visit Infosight today! Simply visit http://www.azcreditunions.coop and click on the Infosight link. You will then be directed to the Infosight page. Once there, you can proceed in one of two ways: (1) enter the following username (league) in the e-mail address blank and the following password (compliance) in the password blank; or (2) request an account using your own unique username and password. For more information please contact Nicole Holt at your League . | |
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Upcoming Events & Important Dates to Remember |
June26th, 2008
Real Solutions Partners Meeting
Pre-Paid Debit Cards
11:30 to 3:30
Black Canyon Conference Center
July 1, 2008
Meet & Greet Candidate Appearance
Congressman Trent Franks
8:00 to 9:00 AM
Arizona Federal CU-Bell Road Branch
July 11th, 2008
Arizona Saves-Train the Trainer
10:00 to 4:30
Horizon Human Services July 15th-25th, 2008
July 17th, 2008
AYIN Luncheon
Generations in the Workplace
11:30 to 1:30
Desert Schools FCU
July 21st, 2008
Candidate Appearance with D-3 Congressman John Shadegg
5:00 to 6:30
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Homes for our Troops Update |
As the National Conventions draw nearer, credit unions from across the country continue to raise money for Homes For Our Troops.
During the election cycle credit unions are working to raise money to build specially adapted homes for returning disabled veterans and their families in the host cities of both the National Conventions, Denver, CO and St. Paul, MN.
The most recent update on our fundraising efforts towards this cause is:
$124,546 raised in total
$2,100 raised from Arizona
Arizona credit unions have been given a goal of raising $2,900 collectively; although, the overall goal from the host states and leagues combined is $300,000. Please take this opportunity to show your support. You can donate online by clicking the link below.
Or checks made out to Homes for Our Troops may be sent to Richard Gose's attention at CUNA. Please contact Richard Gose at 800-356-9655 x 6714 with any questions.
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 REAL Solutions |
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Programs to help credit unions provide real services to real people. Now offered through your Arizona Credit Union League. Click the icon to inquire about the most up to date information regarding this exciting new product. |
| System Advocate Spotlight
Shining Credit Union Individuals |
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Steve Dunham
CEO, Canyon State Credit Union
With the Legislative session coming to a close this month we are going to take a break from spotlighting strictly lawmakers. This month's System advocate has shown how much the credit union movement means to him through countless hours of volunteer work as the Chairman of ACUL's Legal and Legislative Committee and his personal involvement in the credit union movement's grassroots and advocacy activities. He has invested his personal and professional time and energy into the credit union movement and the political activities and efforts that help advance it.
Steve is the CEO of Canyon State Credit Union, the Chairman of the L&L Committee, and was recently named the new Chairman of the League Board. He certainly is a man with little spare time and yet recognizes the importance of advocacy and therefore finds time to lead by example. Maybe that is just one of the reasons he was also recently recognized as ACUL's 2008 VOCUP recipient.
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| CURIA Update |
149 Co-Sponsors
The Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act of 2007 (H.R. 1537) consists of three titles that (1) modernize credit union capital and net worth standards, (2) advance credit union efforts to promote economic growth, and (3) make needed modifications to credit union activities, governance, and oversight. Please write your Member of Congress and ask them to support this vital piece of legislation.
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| Press Releases & Press Clippings |
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Press Releases
AEA Donates Cool Cash
Arizona State Earns National Honors
Tempe Schools Names New CEO
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| Best Practices |
NCUA Best Practices
Follow the link above for more information on Best Practices and NCUA's "The Resource Connection."
Follow the link above to reach ACUL's calendar of webinars, seminars and other events you wont want to miss.
Follow the link above to CU360, CUNA's online information and research portal. |
| Election Center 2008 |
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Your Opinion Matters! Find out the Facts...
"Every vote counts. If credit unions don't vote, credit unions don't count!"
Go to: Elections 2008
For more information on:
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Voting, early voting & absentee voting
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Election Schedule
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Presidential Nominating Conventions
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CUNA's Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Materials
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Credit Union Election Activities
- Other Political Resource Links
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