SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Each credit union is an integral part of the community it serves, whether that community is made up of cities and towns, a workplace or a community formed by people who share an interest of some kind. Unlike for-profit financial institutions, credit unions are cooperatives that exist solely for the purpose of providing for the financial needs of their members. Therefore, it is quite easy to understand how naturally Social Responsibility comes to credit unions.
The Association actively supports and encourages credit unions in their community outreach efforts. In support of those efforts, the Association maintains a committee on Social Responsibility. The purpose of that committee is to develop a unified plan of social responsibility for the Association through recommendations to the Association's Board of Directors. That plan features programs and events that focus statewide efforts on designated charitable and community activities that enhance the positive image of credit unions as well as the public's overall awareness of them.
Special Olympics Rhode Island 
The Association has established a very strong relationship with the Special Olympics Rhode Island for more than ten years. Through a variety of events and activities, the Social Responsibility Committee through the Association provides a vehicle through which the credit unions of Rhode Island can combine resources to address the needs of more than 2,500 athletes who participate in Special Olympics. To gain a better understanding of the fine work that this organization does, please click on this link to visit their web site www.specialolympicsri.org
Fundraising Goal
In September 2006, the Social Responsibility Committee established a fundraising goal of $50,000 for the Special Olympics Rhode Island and presented a check for $50,000 to the Special Olympics Rhode Island at the Credit Unions of Rhode Island Charity Golf Tournament on Monday, July 16, 2007 at Crestwood Country Club in Rehoboth, MA. Since 1998, the credit unions of Rhode Island have donated $305,100 to the Special Olympics Rhode Island and have helped inspire greatness for these special athletes.
Credit Union Recognition Program
The Social Responsibility Committee established a special recognition program that recognizes all credit unions that reach a fundraising goal for the year. The fundraising goals are as follow: Bronze Level - $100-$499; Silver Level - $500-$2,499; Gold Level - $2,500-$4,999; Platinum Level - $5,000-$9,999; and Titanium Level - $10,000+. In addition, one credit union is recognized as the top fundraising credit union of the year and receives a special plaque to be displayed at the credit union for the year. The top fundraising credit union is determined by the most dollars raised on a per member basis (December membership information is used). All contributions are included in the recognition program. Columbus Credit Union claimed victory as this year’s top fundraising credit union!
Past Top Fundraising Credit Unions
2007 – Columbus Credit Union
2006 – Anchor Federal Credit Union
2005 – Columbus Credit Union
2004 – Warwick Municipal Federal Credit Union
2003 – Warwick Municipal Federal Credit Union
2002 - Bostitch Federal Credit Union
2006/2007 Fundraising Levels
Titanium Level
Platinum Level
Gold Level
Anchor Federal Credit Union
Columbus Credit Union
Navigant Credit Union
Pawtucket Credit Union
People’s Credit Union
Wave Federal Credit Union
Westerly Community Credit Union
Silver Level
Blackstone River Federal Credit Union
Community & Teachers Federal Credit Union
Cranston Municipal Employees Credit Union
Providence Postal Federal Credit Union
Rhode Island Credit Union
Bronze Level
Alliance Blackstone Valley Federal Credit Union
Dexter Credit Union
Greenwood Credit Union
Newport Columbian Federal Credit Union
Events
Month of October – Special Olympics Paper Medal Sale
November/December (ongoing) – Designs by Lucinda Pins
February 1, 2008 – Special Olympics Rhode Island Sports Celebrity Winter Carnival
February 14, 2008 – Credit Union Casual Day for Special Olympics Rhode Island
March 26, 2008 – Strike For Gold Bowling Tournament
Month of May – Hebert Candy Bar Sale
May 30, 2008 – Special Olympics Rhode Island Summer Games
June–September – Six Flags New England Discount Ticket Sale
July 21, 2008 – Credit Unions of Rhode Island Charity Golf Tournament
Special Olympics Paper Medal Sale
This special promotion calls attention to how the Association’s member credit unions support the community and specifically to help our fiends at the Special Olympics “Build a Better Tomorrow.” This event is an outgrowth of the Association’s current relationship with Special Olympics Rhode Island and the Paper Medals program that credit unions promote during the month of October. Credit union members, employees, etc. purchase a Special Olympics Paper Medal for $1.00 and put their names on the Medal, which is then displayed at the credit union during the month.
Designs by Lucinda Pins
Since 1998 Designs by Lucinda has been creating distinctive, hand-made pins for the purpose of bringing much needed financial help and awareness to non-profit organizations and their causes. To date more than 3.5 million pins sold have helped raise more than $20 million for 8,000 organizations.
The program features three types of pins, “Little People Pins,” “Angel Pins,” and “Inspirational Window Pins.” These pins are symbolically connected to Special Olympics Rhode Island. The uniquely designed, one-of-a-kind, handcrafted pins make great gifts for any occasion especially during the holidays. However, credit unions can order any type of the hundreds of pins to sell to their members for Special Olympics Rhode Island.
Here’s how the program works:
- A minimum order of 60 pins is required at a cost of $7.50 per pin. (Suggestion: an order of 60 pins could be divided among several credit unions).
- Payment for pins required in advance prior to shipping pins.
- Orders are packed and shipped directly to each credit union.
(If order is divided among several credit unions, shipment will be sent to one credit union only).
- Sell pins for $15.00 each making $7.50 per pin for Special Olympics Rhode Island.
- Make proceeds check for Special Olympics Rhode Island payable to Credit Union Association of Rhode Island and send to Donna Bevilacqua, Credit Union Association of Rhode Island, 845 Donald Lynch Boulevard, Marlborough, MA 01752.
If you have any questions, please contact Donna Bevilacqua at 800-842-1242 or e-mail dbevilacqua@cucenter.org. Credit unions may visit the Designs by Lucinda web site at www.lucinda.com.
Special Olympics Rhode Island Sports Celebrity Winter Carnival
A fun time was had by all at this year’s Special Olympics Rhode Island 30th Sports Celebrity Carnival held at the Rhode Island Convention Center on Friday, February 1, 2008. The Sports Celebrity Carnival is a fun-filled family affair which affords the general public the opportunity to meet some of the world’s popular sports celebrities in a carnival-styled midway atmosphere.
At a special luncheon for major sponsors and dignitaries, Managing Partner, Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the Boston Celtics Wycliffe “Wyc” Grousbeck was the featured speaker.
The sports celebrities greeted the public, signed autographs, and had photos taken. Among the numerous celebrities present were Boston Celtics players Rajon Rondo and Glen Davis; Former New England Patriot players Roland James, Ronnie Lippett, Jon Williams, and Joe Andruzzi; Former Major League Player Bill Almon; and Providence Bruins players Adam McQuaid and Steve MacIntyre. Boston Celtics player Glen Davis was the featured athlete at the Association’s booth where he had some fun with local participants.
The Association’s Social Responsibility Committee was proud to have participated in this event. They extend a special thank you to all of the volunteers who dedicated their time to make the Association’s booth a great success. Joe Cicione, Alliance Blackstone Valley Federal Credit Union; David Dupere, Anchor Federal Credit Union; Cidalia Rocha, Columbus Credit Union; Donna Bevilacqua, Credit Union Association of Rhode Island; Kathy Antonelli and Donna Woods, Navigant Credit Union; Kristin Rojas, Ana Borges, Melissa Aldrich, Kim Denny Gilchrest, and Michele Fox, Pawtucket Credit Union; Ellen Ford and Chris Eden, People’s Credit Union; Nancy Zeppa and Gina DePalo, Rhode Island Credit Union; Paul Archambault, Adele Moreau, and Pat Swanson, Wave Federal Credit Union; and Mary Ellen Buckley and Peter Desillier, Westerly Community Credit Union.
The Special Olympics Rhode Island Sports Celebrity Winter Carnival will be held in February 2009 at the Rhode Island Convention Center from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. General admission is $5.00.
Hebert Candy Bar Sale
The Association will continue its sale of Hebert Candy Bars during the month of May. This has been a popular fundraiser for many years and has made many chocolate lovers who visit their credit union on a weekly basis very happy. The candy bars are great for sale or as giveaways to both members and staff at annual meetings, special occasions, appreciations, product promotions, etc.
Credit unions may order candy bars in cases of 40 assorted, 52 assorted, 80 of any one of the many varieties, or the new Hebert Chocolate Candy Mansion. For more information about this fundraiser, please contact Donna Bevilacqua at the Association office at (800) 842-1242 or dbevilacqua@cucenter.org.
Special Olympics Rhode Island Summer Games
More than 60 volunteers participated in the Summer Games, Friday, June 1, 2007, at the University of Rhode Island’s (URI) Kingston campus, which is one of the most innovative and dynamic in the world.
The Rhode Island credit union volunteers, dressed in their yellow team shirts, are assigned “clerking” duties, which entail making sure that the athletes are properly registered for their events, escorting them to the assigned track or field area and cheering them on as they compete. At the Games, many athletes achieve their personal best in their events, a credit to their skills and hard work, and their coaches’ commitment to training in the months leading up to the games. Athletes from across the state compete in aquatics, athletics, bowling, cycling, gymnastics, power lifting and unified soccer.
Association support of the Summer Games is part of the ongoing commitment to this worthy cause. As the relationship matured the Association Board felt that this charity was one that exemplified the credit union spirit and they sought to broaden the relationship. Throughout the year, Special Olympian athletes are the true winners but the credit unions are also winners by offering our support for this remarkable charity and participating in the Summer Games truly shows it all.
Volunteers from the following credit unions were on hand to work the Summer Games: Anchor Federal Credit Union, Columbus Credit Union, Credit Union Association of Rhode Island, Dexter Credit Union, Kent County Memorial Hospital Employees Federal Credit Union, Navigant Credit Union, Pawtucket Credit Union, People’s Credit Union, Providence Postal Federal Credit Union, Rhode Island Credit Union, Wave Federal Credit Union, and Westerly Community Credit Union.
Credit union volunteers are invited to represent the Association as volunteers at the 40th Special Olympics Summer Games to be held on Friday, May 30, 2008, at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston.
Six Flags New England Discount Ticket Sale
Are your members and employees looking for the ultimate experience in family fun this summer? If so, why not help them by getting involved with the Credit Union Association of Rhode Island Social Responsibility Committee’s Six Flags New England Consignment Ticket Sales.
Six Flags New England will consign discount admission tickets and season passes valid any operating day throughout the 2007 season. Consignment ticket benefits include:
- Lowest individual admission price offered for any operating day, all day long for both Island Kingdom and Six Flags New England Theme Park.
- No cost to the credit union. Pay only for the tickets you sell and simply return the unsold tickets at the end of the season.
- Get to the fun faster. Admission tickets are purchased ahead of time, so no waiting in ticket lines at the front gate.
- Great for employee or member incentives, member appreciation and departmental giveaways.
The tickets are sold on consignment for $27.00 (Cost $25.00 and $2.00 donation for Special Olympics Rhode Island. The main gate price is $49.99).
For more information please contact Lori Coogan at (800) 370-7488, ext. 3535.
Credit Unions of Rhode Island Charity Golf Tournament
The Credit Unions of Rhode Island Charity Golf Tournament held July 16, 2007 at the picturesque Crestwood Country Club is the culmination of the Social Responsibility Committee’s year-long fundraising efforts. This year, 132 golfers and more than 40 sponsors combined to make this tournament a tremendous success. A check for $50,000 was presented to the Special Olympics Rhode Island at the end of the day. Special Olympian Michael Lucca conducted a contest on the practice putting green on the first hole for each team. Friendly competition was the rule of the day as a tie breaker between Navigant Credit Union and Pawtucket Credit Union was used to determine the winning Low Gross team. The winning trophy was awarded to the foursome from Pawtucket Credit Union of Karl Kozak, Paul Cappello, Robert McCorry and Frank Doheny.
The credit unions of Rhode Island can be proud of the efforts that have been made in helping Special Olympics Rhode Island continue to provide quality sports training and athletic competitions to more than 2,500 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the State of Rhode Island.
If you have any questions regarding the tournament, please contact Donna Bevilacqua at the Association office at (800) 842-1242 or dbevilacqua@cucenter.org.
The upcoming Credit Unions of Rhode Island Charity Golf Tournament is scheduled for Monday, July 21, 2008, at Crestwood Country Club in Rehoboth, MA.
National Credit Union Recognition Programs
The Association and CUNA & Affiliates sponsor two programs annually for credit unions that are specifically designed to recognize exceptional examples of the good work that credit unions do in their communities. They are: the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Recognition Program and the Louise Herring Award for Philosophy in Action.
The Dora Maxwell Award program honors the work of credit unions in the community, and the Louise Herring Award program recognizes the practical application of credit union philosophy in daily internal operations.
Since 1987, the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award has honored credit unions for their charitable works in their communities. Some credit unions have ongoing programs and establish a special relationship with local social service agencies or school programs. Other programs address many different needs in the community. No matter the size or scope of the project, each participating credit union builds its reputation as a good corporate citizen along the way.
Beginning in 1990, the Louise Herring Award for Philosophy in Action has commended credit unions that make exceptional efforts to include credit union philosophy in their daily operations and member service. Programs that provide financial education to particular member groups within the credit union or special assistance to low-income members struggling to pay heating bills, for example, are clear examples of the philosophy that sets credit unions apart from other financial institutions.
For additional information, please e-mail Donna Bevilacqua at dbevilacqua@cucenter.org or contact her at the Association office at (800) 842-1242.
Individual Credit Union Charities
Credit unions throughout the state are making a major effort to support those less fortunate. Many imaginative and effective programs have been undertaken to support their communities. Credit unions have traditionally embraced the concept of "people helping people."
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