Credit unions across the country this week will kick off the first-ever Credit Union Youth Week.
The goal is to raise awareness among young members and potential members about financial responsibility and the benefits of CU membership and a wide variety of local-level efforts will be on display to achieve that end.
This theme being used is "Your Future-Your Money-Your Choice," and is supposed to be "a wake-up call to youth and their families," according to CUNA.
The three-part goal of what is slated to become an annual event is to add responsible young members, retain parents as loyal-and grateful-members, and involve CU employees in a fun and meaningful program.
How to go about marking the week is being left up to individual credit unions. In Indiana, for instance, the $5- million W/M Employees Federal Credit Union is decorating its lobby and its SEGs to recognize the week, and young members will have a chance to win a personal CD player or a mini TV. Members Choice FCU is renting out a local skating rink for two hours on April 20 to host a "Skate Day" for kids' club members. The CU will serve pizza and soft drinks to kids and their parents.
Many credit unions will be using this week, appropriately timed with graduation right around the corner, to promote their kids' clubs and other youth-oriented products and services. In particular, a number of credit unions have adopted the New Mexico league's CU Success, a program geared for teens and youth. CU Success offers a variety of marketing materials specifically targeted to this group.
