Project Differentiation

KALSEE CREDIT UNION

As a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative, KALSEE Credit Union is committed to our members. We will uphold our fundamental responsibility to actively serve people within our field of membership, and as appropriate, the communities they live in. We will treat all members with respect and dignity and we will offer financial services and benefits of an honest and thrifty nature to all members at all times. We will seek out and deliver a wide range of low cost and no cost products and services to the diverse economic and social make-up of our members and potential members. We will look for better ways to reach out to the unserved and underserved in our field of membership and will continually demonstrate the value of membership in KALSEE Credit Union.

We will monitor and communicate our benefits and services to members in a meaningful way so that members, potential members, legislators, regulators, and the community at large will understand and appreciate the unique role that member-owned financial cooperatives play in their lives.

Throughout KALSEE Credit Union's strategic plan, we will put forth every effort to enable our members to achieve Personal Financial Success. We will place high importance on consumer education and the teaching of financial thrift.

This Statement of Commitment to Members is consistent with our credit union Mission Statement, our credit union principles of "Not For Profit, Not For Charity, But For Service", our philosophy of "Our Family Serving Yours" and ensures the financial strength of our credit union on behalf of our members.

Section I: Service to Members

KALSEE Credit Union strives to offer services designed to improve the economic and social well being of all members from all socio-economic backgrounds, including our low and moderate income members, and return financial value to all those who participate in our member-owned financial cooperative.

Current Services that Help Improve the Economic and Social Well Being of Members:

  1. A wide assortment of savings plans from basic savings to Roth IRAs and Market Index Certificates. All savings plans are designed to give KALSEE members better yields on their savings than available at other financial institutions.


  2. An outstanding selection of insurance plans including group, Life, Auto, Home, Disability and Accidental Death and Dismemberment.


  3. A no cost checking program with no monthly checking fees, per check charges or minimum balance requirements


  4. Direct Deposit and payroll deduction


  5. A variety of low cost loans including overdraft protection, mortgages, student loans, auto loans and the convenience of "Indirect Financing" at just about any auto dealer in our service area.


  6. A complete financial management program (Members Financial Services) and Mortgage Service (Member Mortgage Services, LTD.). Both are tailored to accommodate the needs of our members.


  7. TEL-TRANS 24 Hour Telephone Service, which assists our member's need to be in touch with their KALSEE Credit Union accounts beyond our regular business hours.


  8. Members Prime Club, a program that offers substantial savings on products and services that are frequently used by our senior members.


  9. Fun for less with discounted theme park tickets and coupons at Cedar Point, Six Flags, Sea World, Busch Gardens, Greenfield Village and the Barn Theatre in Augusta, Michigan. All are good for any day of the season.


  10. Access to SAM's Wholesale Club membership and CU Shopper (an internet home discount shopping service)


  11. Access to most Federal & State tax forms.

New Services Planned for the Coming Year:

  1. On-line banking service including the availability of on-line bill paying.


  2. The ability to order checks by phone or on the internet.

Section II: Member Education

KALSEE Credit Union is committed to member and consumer financial education. In addition, we are committed to educating members and consumers, alike, about credit union uniqueness, philosophy, and values.

Current Programs that Support Member Education and Advocacy:

  1. Financial expertise and guidance by KALSEE Credit Union professionals


  2. Vehicle Blue Book current appraisal information


  3. Credit union newsletter


  4. Phone "On-Hold" system


  5. A variety of informative KALSEE Credit Union brochures


  6. Website and assorted important links

New Programs Planned for the Coming Year:

  1. Member Survey


  2. Employer Group Visitation

Section III: Involvement/Governance

KALSEE Credit Union will endeavor to preserve credit union democratic principles, including demographic representation and volunteer participation in credit union activities.

Current Programs that support Involvement/Governance:

  1. KALSEE Credit Union Annual Meeting, which is promoted by our newsletter and credit union lobby posters


  2. Board of Directors elections, which are held during the Annual Meeting


  3. Board Nominations, which are also promoted by our newsletter and credit union lobby posters

Section IV: Diversity

KALSEE Credit Union recognizes the value of demographic diversity in members, staff and volunteers, and will strive to bring people of diverse backgrounds and experiences into the membership, leadership and other roles at the credit union.

Section V:

Commitment to the Credit Union Movement and other Cooperative Activities

KALSEE Credit Union will work to build and strengthen our unique credit union movement by providing financial and in-kind resources to others within the credit union community, and by actively advocating the credit union difference at all levels of government and in other appropriate public forums. In addition, KALSEE Credit Union will participate in local, state and national cooperative activities as appropriate, and will strive to build and strengthen relationships with other sectors of the national cooperative movement.

Current and Past Activities that Support the Credit Union Movement:

  1. Participant in the Kalamazoo Chapter of Credit Unions


  2. Regular supporter of Kalamazoo Joint Advertising Board


  3. Contributor to the State Joint Advertising Board


  4. Local Credit Union Chapter Chairperson


  5. Local Credit Union Chapter Treasurer


  6. Michigan Credit Union League Director


  7. MCUE Pension Trustee


  8. CUNA Mutual State Liaison


  9. State Joint Advertising Board (JAB) Vice Chairperson

Section VI: Public Service/Corporate Citizenship

Through direct financial support or other in-kind contributions to worthwhile local organizations, and by participating in public service activities, KALSEE Credit Union and it's employees strive to be active partners in our community. We recognize that practicing good Corporate Citizenship supports the Credit Union Philosophy of People Helping People; furthermore, it will help raise the overall level of social and economic well being of those in our community, help to strengthen ties within the community, and better position us to reach out and serve - as only credit unions can - those people in greatest need of affordable financial services.

Community Groups Currently Receiving Financial or Other In-Kind Support and Current Public Service Activities:

  1. Girls Little League Softball World Series

  2. Kalamazoo Public Library Board of Directors

  3. Kalamazoo County Parks Board of Directors

  4. Kalamazoo Ribfest (benefiting local charitable organizations)

  5. 4 - H Club Animal Auctions and other functions

  6. The "Listen" Drug & Alcohol Awareness Program

  7. Employee donations of monthly "Dress Down Day" dues are directed to worthy causes in the local community

  8. 10% of our local JAB funds are donated to Community Service Involvement

  9. Education for Employment Board Member

  10. Northside Business Association Member

  11. Chamber of Commerce Member

  12. Better Business Bureau Member

New Public Service Activities Planned for the Coming Year:

  1. Donating House to "Habitat For Humanity"
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