International CU Week kicks off today

MADISON, Wis. (10/13/08)--International Credit Union Week starts today, with International Credit Union Day (ICU Day) on Thursday--and credit unions nationwide are preparing to celebrate.

ICU Day has been celebrated each year on the third Thursday of October since 1948. The event honors those who have contributed to the credit union movement. This year's theme is "It Belongs to Me."

ICU Day activities include:

The Maryland and District of Columbia Credit Union Association will host a reception on Thursday at Credit Union House in Washington, D.C. Credit unions can sponsor the event to fund international projects;

Fremont (Ohio) FCU will host a Shred for Safety event on Thursday. It also will distribute information on identity theft (PortClinton NewsHerald Oct. 3);

Purdue Employees FCU, West Lafayette, Ind., will celebrate with a youth coloring contest and a "What a credit union means to me" essay contest for high school students;

United Educational CU, Battle Creek, Mich., will host a Financial Survival Fair this week. The fair will offer resources to help consumers trim grocery bills, reduce energy consumption, balance budgets, and preserve homeownership (BattleCreekEnquirer.com Oct. 6);

The Michigan Credit Union League's state political action committee will host an online auction this week and a Credit Union Week Casual Day program. Last year, credit unions raised more than $8,000 by hosting casual days (Michigan Monitor Oct. 6);

The Credit Union Association of Oregon has bought advertising in local newspapers this week, including the Lebanon Express, Lincoln City News, Seaside Herald, Portland Business Journal, Grants Pass Daily Courier, Albany Democrat/Corvallis Gazette, Bend Bulletin, East Oregonian, Register Guard, Klamath Falls Herald, Medford Mail, Roseburg News, Statesman Journal, and the Oregonian;

Hundreds of the California Credit Union League's credit unions received recognition from local elected officials at ceremonies throughout California and Nevada. Ceremonies will continue to take place throughout the month of October.

"Citizens and businesses are facing unprecedented financial challenges, and credit unions are vital to helping local communities in providing services to their members. We are honored that our credit unions have been recognized by local government for all the hard work and services they provide within their communities," said Bill Cheney, president/CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union League. Counties honored International Credit Union Day with resolutions and proclamation letters which highlight the credit union philosophy of "people helping people."

courtesy of cuna.org