3 minutes
Sponsored by CU Solutions Group
It’s at the heart of the credit union social mission—people helping people. As not-for-profit cooperatives that provide low-cost, high-quality financial services to their members, credit unions occupy a unique place in an increasingly crowded financial services marketplace. While our competitors are driven to generate profits for shareholder return, our focus is on providing the highest quality member experience at the most reasonable cost.
It’s More Than Just our Members
More than this, many credit unions are compelled to reach beyond the confines of their membership to positively impact society at large. Credit unions don’t do this because the law requires it; they do it because it’s the right thing to do. Credit union social mission activities come in all shapes and sizes. From school-based credit unions, to financial literary events, to specialized programs designed to get members out from under the thumb of payday lenders—credit unions continue to innovate, and members continue to benefit from these good works.
To grow in this fiercely competitive environment, it is critical that we continue to cooperatively pool our resources and differentiate ourselves from banks and other competitors.
There’s a new program starting up that will not only promote the credit union difference, but also donate up to $105,000 to several credit unions’ favorite charities. Meet Share the Love. Born out of the credit union spirit of charity and goodwill, Share the Love is a joint campaign among CU Solutions Group; its member rewards program, Love My Credit Union Rewards; and the Credit Union National Association. This industry-wide initiative invites U.S. (50 states, plus D.C.) credit unions to create a video that showcases the good work they do in their communities for a chance to win thousands of dollars for the charities of their choosing*.
A New Approach
Share the Love aims to take a unique approach to fulfilling the credit union social mission. Rather than depicting charity with an infographic in a magazine or on a billboard, by asking credit unions to band together through digital video, the campaign personifies generosity with real people, real situations, real change and real effects. Members and consumers alike see the impact that local credit unions make in their communities all across the country. They see the smiles, see the laughs and see the tears.
Utilizing Internet video as a platform also lends itself to connecting with younger viewers. According to Cisco’s VNI Forecast, Web video grew 29 percent between 2012 and 2013, and online video users are expected to double to 1.5 billion in 2016. Online video is proving one of the most effective and efficient means of connecting with users of any age, especially Generation Y and Millennials.
Get Involved!
It’s time for all credit unions to come together and spread the word! Credit unions are by the people and for the people. They are the embodiment of cooperation and community involvement, and have been for many years. This is our chance to come together and reach beyond our individual communities; to stretch out across the country and help each other help our members. So this is an invitation for all credit unions to get involved and share the love! It’s easy to join the movement — complete submission guidelines, Share the Love campaign details, and tips on the easiest ways to create videos can be found at LoveMyCreditUnion.org/CUSharetheLove.
*Chosen charity must be a 501(c)(3) organization.
