ACUC to celebrate movement's 100th anniversary

MADISON, Wis. (5/26/09)--The credit union movement's 100th anniversary will be celebrated at America's Credit Union Conference and Expo (ACUC), scheduled for June 21-24 in Boston.

Several sessions will focus on credit unions' history, according to the Credit Union National Association (CUNA).

The conference kicks off with a keynote session, "Honoring the Credit Union Revolutionaries," June 21 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. EDT. A presentation honors the first 100 years of credit unions and tells stories about credit union pioneers past and present.

During the conference, attendees will experience the 100th anniversary timeline. "Meet the Revolutionaries: Bringing the History Alive" is an interactive timeline, in which attendees will take a self-guided tour to view historic artifacts and the evolution of the credit union movement.

Other events scheduled are:

A special viewing of "King's X." Originally produced on film in 1953, "King's X" stars Hugh Beaumont of the TV show "Leave it to Beaver." The film follows the story of a family experiencing a sudden financial struggle. While searching for a solution, the main character discovers the benefits of becoming a member of his local credit union. The film covers the credit union philosophy, benefits of membership, and a brief history of credit unions.

The closing event is the 100th Anniversary Revolutionary Celebration--House of Blues, June 23, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The House of Blues is dedicated to educating and celebrating the history of U.S. southern culture and African-American artistic contributions to music and art.

A pre-conference optional event--America's CU Museum Tours, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday before ACUC, and for Wednesday after the conference concludes. The tour shows how, in 1908, the American credit union movement took a root in a house. Nearly 100 years later, in October 2002, the site became the home of America's Credit Union Museum. Attendees can experience credit union history through exhibits, personal accounts and storytelling.

All attendees will be provided a free copy of CUNA's new book "For the People, for 100 Years," a history of the credit union movement, which features many photographs of key events through history.