A Bonus for Building Communities

The credit union movement could not exist without community investment, and to make the link more tangible, $1.3 billion Royal Credit Union, Eau Claire, Wis., is celebrating the 21st year of its volunteer program, which encourages and rewards volunteerism and member loyalty.

When Royal CU members invest in the community by volunteering four hours each month, they have the opportunity to join the volunteer program, gaining access to a free interest-bearing Royal CU checking account as well as free personal check printing.

Lindsey Brantner, a marketing specialist at Royal CU and the program coordinator, explains that for the board and executives, a volunteer program seemed like a natural extension of the CU's vision.

"CUs are built by members, and the board just wanted to be out there," Brantner says. "We wanted to be active in our communities."

While the volunteer members' average age is 48, there are a wide array of volunteers in dozens of fields, some as young as 19. Volunteering can encompass any number of fields, and the program's only criteria are that the work is done for a non-profit organization and that it is done for free.

"The program attracts a mix of team members and members," Brantner says. "Our volunteers are working at hospitals, churches, with Meals On Wheels, and all over the communities."

Program members came together this year in January to celebrate the program’s continued growth. Today, Royal CU's volunteer program encompasses multiple Royal CU locations, with over 650 members and 312 "lifetime volunteers," or those who have been active in the program for five years with at least 240 hours of volunteering experience.

Brantner says the volunteer program is a low-cost way to show members a commitment to community values, with a handful of members becoming new volunteers each month.

“We have it on our site, but we don't advertise at all. It's all word of mouth," Brantner says. "It's a great image that you project as a credit union. Being part of the community is huge; it gives members a sense of being part of something greater."

As Royal CU's volunteer program continues to expand and grow, Brantner says one of the main goals is reaching out to younger generations.

"We would love to see younger members join our volunteer program. That's part of our goal," Brantner says.

Any Royal CU member can join simply by stopping in a branch and inquiring. Members can also join via email, and the program is spreading to different locations, with coordinators in Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls and St. Croix Falls.

"It's not just here. We have members involved in every community," Brantner says. "We create a positive impact, and I'm very proud to say that we care not only about our members but about helping others outside of our membership."

Kait Vosswinkel is a CUES editorial intern.

Photocredit: Royal Credit Union