Credit unions are spreading awareness about thebenefits of membership on International Credit Union Day on Thursday by promoting thetheme of “Local Service. Global Good.”

The Young Professionals group at the $1.4 billion Royal CreditUnion in Claire, Wis., conducted cash mobs at many of theircommunity's local businesses to celebrate the 67th annual ICUDay.

“They will be spreading the good word about the credit unionmovement, handing out 'I love my CU' cups with $2 bills inside.They also created a nice, two-sided flyer with more informationabout ICU Day and Royal Credit Union,” Jennifer McHugh, communityrelations manager, said.

“Royal Credit Union participates in International Credit UnionDay to recognize our members, celebrate the cooperative spirit,share the [credit union] message and have some fun,” she added.

The flash mob idea derived from a brainstorming session held byRoyal's marketing department.

“Why others don't do it? I'm not really sure,” McHughsaid. “It does take some work and planning, but we enjoycelebrating this event every year. It's well worth the effortwe put into it.

Will Wille, public relations coordinator for the Illinois CreditUnion League, said the organization partnered with CU Lunch Local, which was established by the Michigan CreditUnion League two years ago.

The goal of the CU Lunch Local cash mob program is to putthousands of dollars back in the pockets of Main Street businessesacross 11 states, including Illinois, he explained.

“Some chapters went to local establishments and give out giftcards,” Wille said. “Multiple chapters picked up the tab forpatrons at a local restaurant, which presented an opportunity toengage with the public and discuss the importance of creditunions.”

CUNA and the state leagues helped mark the occasion by providingthematic materials for a fee to credit unions such as t-shirts,bags, USB car chargers and other merchandise.

“Product lines are a minor source of revenue; our focus isequipping credit unions with things they look to use in theircelebrations,” Vicki Christner, CUNA media relations manager,said.

In conjunction with the Children's Miracle Network and CreditUnions for Kids, CUNA also promoted a one-day fundraiser tocelebrate ICU Day at credit unions.

Through the program, each time members use their creditunion-issued debit and credit cards at participating credit unionson ICU Day, the credit union will donate $0.25 or other designatedamount to its local CMN Hospital, Pat Keefe, SVP ofcommunications at CUNA, said.

The extent to which credit unions celebrate the day is dependenton local resources, money, time and other factors, Keefe said.

“Credit unions and associations throughout the world celebratethe cooperative spirit of doing something good on this day withopen houses, contests, picnics, charity drives and parades,” CUNAPresident/CEO Jim Nussle said.

On Thursday, credit unions around the world will unite behindthe message of 'Local Service. Global Good' for InternationalCredit Union Day and share their stories with the hashtag #ICUDay,he added.

Rebecca Carpenter, marketing & communications specialist atthe World Council of Credit Unions, said the organization selectedthis year's theme of “Local Service. Global Good”to highlight thepositive impact credit unions make in their members' communitiesaround the world.

“To bring this theme to life, we've invited credit unions tocelebrate ICU Day by implementing a fundraising campaign in supportof a local or national charity,” Carpenter said. “We've provided avariety of free materials to help credit unions celebrate,including celebration and fundraising ideas, graphics, and apromotional materials kit.”

Carpenter was asked why the day is important for theindustry.

“Within our powerful network of 57,000 credit unions in 103countries, credit unions have decided to celebrate ICU Day in manydifferent ways,” she said. “What binds these celebrations togetheris an effort to show appreciation to the world's 208 millionmembers – even if that means a simple 'thank you.'”

Patty Briotta, director of public relations at NAFCU, said thevalue of credit unions' not-for-profit, member-owned business modelis worthy of celebrating every day of the year, not just onOct.16.

“Anytime we can champion the important role credit unions playin the financial landscape it is a good thing,” she said.

Next year, Briotta said NAFCU will take credit unions back totheir roots in Canada, home to the first credit union in NorthAmerica, when the trade group will hold its 48^th AnnualConference and Solutions Expo in Montréal, Quebéc.

“The theme of this year's International Credit Union Day is'Local Service, Global Good,' and credit unions certainly exemplifythe model of community institutions with a world-wide reach,” NCUAChairman Debbie Matz said. “But the theme is also a reminder aboutthe cybersecurity risks we all now face.

“Financial transactions now take place in milliseconds, fromlaptops and smart phones, across continents and oceans,” Matz said.“This convenience provides credit union members with greater accessto financial services, but it also means they are vulnerable tocriminals on the other side of the world, who can hack intoaccounts and steal money or information just as quickly. So, creditunions must be vigilant every minute, every hour, and every day ofthe year.”