GETTING INVOLVED

If the idea of credit unions appeals to you, there are a number of ways that you can become involved.

Become a member

You are more than just a number when you join a credit union - you are a member and owner of the credit union.

You will be encouraged to become involved in the credit union socially and democratically. Although, of course you can choose to do nothing other than save and borrow with the credit union!

Joining a credit union brings benefits to you, with easy savings plans paying an annual dividend, low cost loans, free life insurance, free loan protection insurance, and more.

As a member you benefit yourself and others as well:

	Your savings provide money that can be lent to other members.
	The interest you pay on a loan is the main source of income for a credit union to cover its operating costs.
	By taking an active part in the Annual General Meeting and other meetings you ensure that the democratic structure of credit unions works in the best interest of all members.

Become a volunteer

Even a credit union that employs staff needs volunteers from its membership to ensure that it works properly.

Volunteers are needed to serve on the Board of Directors, Credit Committee and Supervisory Committee.

Volunteers can also be used to carry out other tasks within the credit union, such as data inputting, fund-raising, running collection points and promoting the credit union to potential new members.

People with all sorts of skills can contribute to the running of a credit union. These skills can include:-

	Administrative		Accountancy/Bookkeeping
	Counselling		Community Development
	Business skills		Marketing and publicity
	Committee work		And not forgetting - people skills!

Become a sponsor

You can also get involved with credit unions by encouraging an organisation or employer you are involved with to sponsor a local credit union. Sponsors can provide credibility by putting their good name behind the credit union, or more practical financial or "in kind" benefits (eg: premises, IT equipment, etc).

Please contact us if you would like to get involved with YOUR credit union.