Happy 80 th Birthday. Member Spotlight: Julia O Kane River Parkway Volunteer

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1 m SPRING 2014 ISSUE yno. 18 EECU MEMBER PROFILE Member Spotlight: Julia O Kane River Parkway Volunteer The passion that motivated Julia O Kane as an educator continues to inspire her as an advocate for the San Joaquin River. Julia spent more than three decades as a teacher and administrator for Madera Unified School District championing a wide range of learning venues for children. In retirement, she has made a seamless transition to do the same as a volunteer board member for the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust (riverparkway.org). (Cont. inside Julia O Kane) INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Happy 80 th Birthday On April 21, 2014, EECU will celebrate 80 years of service to our members. Much has happened in those eight decades. From our humble beginnings in 1934, we have become the largest credit union based in the central San Joaquin Valley. In 1981, we changed our name from the Fresno Teachers Credit Union to Educational Employees Credit Union to better reflect our membership. We now have more than 225,000 members and over $2.1 billion in assets. We have grown to 15 branches serving 10 counties. And we have you, our members, to thank. We re glad you re part of our EECU family and we look forward to serving your financial needs for many more years to come. National Credit Union Youth Week Member Conduct Policy Need Cash for College? Annual Meeting Coming Soon Manager Profile Change to Two-Party Check Acceptance Policy Teacher Honor Wall

2 SPRING 2014 Bulletin Board Holiday Hours In observance of the following holiday we will be closed: Memorial Day Monday, May 26 Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, May 27. EECU INFORMATION BULLETIN National Credit Union Youth Week National Credit Union Youth Week helps start children on the path of financial success by educating them about their money, setting up savings accounts and rewarding them with topical prizes. National Credit Union Youth Week will be celebrated April 20-26, This year s theme, Catch the $ave Wave, harnesses kids love of the beach, sand and surfing, and shows young members they can benefit from visiting and saving at their credit union. EECU can help them utilize their own strengths and credit union resources for a successful financial future. Jumpstart smart saving habits at a young age. Stop by your local EECU branch and we ll help kids get started with a new youth account and a special gift. Upcoming Dates April 8: Kings County Excellence in Education Awards April 20-26: National Credit Union Youth Week April 23: Selma Unified School District Art Show April 24: National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day June 13: Annual Meeting Annual Election of Volunteer Officials Each year Educational Employees Credit Union is required to elect volunteer officials and conduct an Annual Meeting. For 2014, there are open positions for the Board of Directors and the Supervisory Committee. From November 2013 through January 2014, we sought potential candidates through s, articles in our newsletters, and statement inserts to the membership. This year, there was no contest for the available Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee positions for the 2014 election. Therefore, as provided in the Credit Union Bylaws, the Board of Directors will declare at the Annual Meeting that those nominated and qualified to be elected are elected without the need for an election. The Annual Meeting is Friday, June 13, at Buchanan High School in Clovis. Read the article in this newsletter for more information about the Annual Meeting. Mortgage Loan Solicitations Have you received letters about your mortgage loan urging you to call a toll-free number? Did these letters have you wondering who sent them? The confusion is understandable. These letters are not from EECU but rather mortgage loan companies seeking to refinance your loan. Names, addresses and loan mortgage information in these letters are gathered from public records. Be assured that EECU does not provide your information to these solicitors. If you have any questions, please call our Member Service Center at

3 Member Conduct Policy EECU currently serves over 225,000 members. Most conduct themselves in a courteous and businesslike manner. However, on occasion whether at the credit union or another place of business some have witnessed or experienced inappropriate conduct. Unfortunately, we live in a society where threatening behavior and violent crime have become all too familiar. In our continuing efforts to foster a safer workplace for employees and members, the Board of Directors has approved a policy regarding appropriate member conduct. As stated in the policy, EECU believes that our employees should be able to work in an environment free of abusive conduct, and free of risks posed by workplace violence and harassment. Examples of such unacceptable conduct include, but are not limited to, the following: Use of profane, abusive, intimidating or threatening language toward employees or fellow members. Actual or threatened violence against any employee or fellow member. Unwelcome sexual overtures or advances. Using or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol on credit union premises. Based on this policy, if it is determined that a member s conduct has ascended to a level that triggers the provisions of this policy, the credit union, at its sole discretion, may take such actions necessary to protect staff and fellow members. Such discipline could include the denial of services involving personal contact with credit union employees. This would in effect limit a member to conduct credit union banking either by mail or electronically. In these times of elevated security, it truly takes a team approach to make our everyday lives safer. If you become aware of a potentially unsafe condition at the credit union, please contact branch management immediately or our Member Service Center at Need Cash for College? EECU s Educational Grant Program is open to members who are pursuing a post-high school education at a community college, university/college, vocational/technical school, or advanced professional training in the United States. Applications for the 2014 EECU Grant Program will be available October 1, In order to be eligible to apply for a grant you must be an EECU member in good standing and your account must be opened by June 12, Members who submit a complete application and who meet the grant eligibility requirements will have an opportunity to be considered for a $2,000 grant. If you or someone you know would benefit from a $2,000 educational grant, please share this information or visit myeecu.org for details.

4 MEMBER PROFILE Julia O Kane (Cont. from Cover) My goal remains to have opportunities for as many outdoor experiences for children as possible, says the former Madera schools superintendent. Preserving the river is not only a calling for Julia and fellow parkway trust volunteers but also an obligation to ensure that the precious natural treasure is protected, she says. We have to be good stewards of the resources that we have during our lifetime so they are there for generations to follow, and being involved in the parkway is a way we can do that, she says. All you have to do is take a canoe ride down the river and you see the river is worth saving. Julia became involved with the parkway trust during its inception in the 1980s. She helped develop field trips for students from Madera Unified, Clovis Unified and the Fresno County Office of Education. She wanted children to experience outdoor education without traveling out of the area, and the nearby San Joaquin River seemed to be the perfect setting. After I retired, parkway volunteers said now it was time for me to be on the trust board, she says of an invitation she gladly accepted. The parkway trust s primary focus is preserving and restoring a 22-mile swath of the river from Friant Dam to Highway 99, and creating public access on the Madera County and Fresno County sides. The trust also strives to connect people to the river through field trips, camps and other outdoor activities. About 50 Parties for the Parkway many along the river are held annually to raise money for the trust. Those who attend the events learn about parkway access points and trails, new projects, and children s programs. They also learn about Respite by the River, which is a chance to enjoy the Coke Hallowell Center for River Studies while listening to readings and performances related to Valley life. Julia s first teaching job brought her to Madera in She became an administrator in 1979 and was Madera Unified superintendent for the last eight years of her career before retiring in She initially intended to stay in Madera only a brief time. You tend to make friends and you settle in, and Madera Unified was good to me so there was no reason to leave. Beyond her interest in preservation and education, Julia also has a nostalgic reason for supporting the San Joaquin River. She was raised in Oakland but spent her summers along the river between Tracy and Manteca at a cabin, which her father bought for the family s outdoor enjoyment. Her parkway volunteer work reminds her of her youth. Because it was such a big part of my childhood, she says, I want kids to have the same experiences. Annual Meeting Is Just Around the Corner Save the date for the 2014 EECU Annual Meeting. Festivities will be on Friday, June 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Business Meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. The event will take place at Buchanan High School in Clovis. There will be light food and refreshments, fun and plenty of valuable information. You ll have the opportunity to learn about what s going on at the credit union. A report on the election process for the Board of Directors and the Supervisory Committee will be reviewed, and we ll provide a brief overview of the state of the credit union and our accomplishments over the past year. Watch for more details as we get closer to the date. Sorry, no pets will be allowed.

5 MANAGER SPOTLIGHT Christine Kestly Van Ness Assistant Branch Manager Christine Kestly s outgoing, upbeat personality has served her and EECU well. I m a people person so I like the interaction with members, getting to know them, assisting them, she says. For me, it s a good feeling when someone comes in and wants to see you. Christine, Van Ness assistant branch manager, takes great pride in building relationships with members, which is essential because they are entrusting her and other EECU staff with their personal finances, she says. EECU has grown to 15 branches but still provides a personal touch to members. That s what I like most about my position, she says. It s nice to be able to sit down and get to know the members. Letting members vent when issues arise is important, she says. She recalls a time when a member came to her upset. Christine listened and then resolved the problem. The member left the branch laughing, pleased with the service she received. Christine had no credit union or banking experience before joining EECU about 15 years ago as a parttime, seasonal teller. She quickly thrived in various positions and has enjoyed each of her EECU roles. She says she has been fortunate to be surrounded by great managers and co-workers, and has benefited from their experiences. You learn something new from everybody you work with, says Christine, who has been the Van Ness assistant branch manager for six years. She likes seeing others excel in their careers and gets great satisfaction when she helps co-workers learn something new and they have that ah hah moment. Christine loves to bake and shares the treats from her hobby with her colleagues. She also bakes mostly cupcakes for birthday parties and baby and wedding showers. It makes me happy to see other people enjoy my cupcakes, she says. She and her husband, Jeff, have four children. He is a retired Selma fire chief who works as a senior public safety specialist for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, teaching classes on gas emergency preparedness. A tradition for Christine s family is an annual summer camping gathering at Dinkey Creek, where she and Jeff were married five years ago. The couple are faithful fans of the San Francisco Giants and attend Fresno Grizzlies games during the summer. Christine says she is fortunate to be with EECU. Working at EECU feels more like being part of a family than a job, she says. I look forward to being here for many more years to come.

6 Change to Two-Party Check Acceptance Policy The following change to our two-party check acceptance policy will be effective May 1, Two-party checks sent via postal mail or deposited through ACH (electronic deposit) may be declined and returned to you. The change applies to personal two-party checks as well as two-party checks issued from a government agency (i.e., tax refund checks/deposits). The reason for the change is due to regulations that require us to verify the identity of members and individuals with whom we conduct business as required by the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC), and to comply with the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act. When a two-party check is deposited by mail or through ACH, we are unable to perform the required verifications, which is why we are changing our policy effective May 1. If you receive a two-party check, our branches may be able to assist you with negotiating the item. The original payee and the member negotiating the check will be required to sign the check in person and provide identification. The financial representative will discuss any additional requirements with you and will advise you if additional information is necessary in order to negotiate the check. ACH deposits presented to your account must be originated for the sole benefit of the account holder(s). Without accurate account information, this automated program cannot be utilized as designed. If you have any questions about the upcoming change to our two-party check acceptance policy, please call our Member Service Center at Published quarterly by: EDUCATIONAL EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION P.O. Box 5242 Fresno, CA Member Service Center Website myeecu.org EQUAL HOUSING LENDER Federally Insured by NCUA