Winter 2010 - Servus Credit Union

straight talk
from Servus Credit Union
winter 2010 • volume 3 issue 16
feel good about your money.
Vision for a better world
Our Vision: Servus Credit Union builds
a better world — one member at a time.
Our Values:
Community
Fairness
Integrity
Investing in Our People
Life/Work Balance
Member Service
Teamwork
It’s been two years since the
historic merger that created
Servus, Canada’s first
provincewide credit
union. Since then
we’ve been
working hard to
get to know
our 400,000
members.
We’ve been
asking
important
questions,
conducting
surveys
and
working
closely
with our
employees
and
communities.
We’re listening
carefully as you tell
us about your lives,
jobs, families and dreams
for the future. Finding out
what really matters to you is
helping us shape a credit union that
you can be proud to own.
We’re also listening to our employees.
Late last year we asked them to help
identify the values that are most
important to them, both as members
themselves, and as the people we rely
on to deliver outstanding member
service. Values are what we stand for,
what we believe in.
What we’ve discovered is that our
members, including our employees,
have similar desires. Whether they’re
from Lethbridge or Fort McMurray,
Grande Cache or Lloydminster, or
anywhere in between — people want
peace of mind, health, happiness and
prosperity. We all want to live in a
better world.
With this knowledge and our values
in hand, a framework emerged to
develop a mission and a vision for
the future. These will act as guiding
principles and create a powerful,
unified Servus Credit Union. Our
vision and mission are our promises
to you.
Our Mission:
Servus Credit Union provides
sound, advice-based financial
products and services. We are
here for our members through
all stages of their lives. We
help them achieve personal
satisfaction, enjoy financial
stability and a good quality of life,
and we are committed to making
a difference in the communities
where they live and work.
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grow
Servus shares $43 million
It’s Profit Share time again! As a member of
Servus Credit Union you deserve to share in
our success; after all, you’re an owner too.
2010 was another profitable year for our
credit union. This year Servus is giving
back $43 million to our memberowners.
How your Profit Share is paid:
• You’ll receive part of your
share in cash, based on the
business you do with us.
The amount depends
on the money you
deposit and the
interest you pay on loans.
• Part of your share is also
paid to you in dividends.
These are based on your
Common Share account
balance, and are paid to you in
additional Common Shares.
• If you own investment shares,
dividends are paid as more investment
shares or in cash, depending on the
type you own.
Sharing profits is an essential principle of
credit unions. It’s one reason why more
than 400,000 people are loyal members
at Servus.
Watch for your Profit Share payout on
your December statement.
Holiday Greetings!
We’re wishing you all the timeless
treasures of the season…the warmth
of home, the love of family, and the
company of good friends.
Welcome to the new
Servus website!
At servus.ca you’ll find tools and advice to help you make
better financial decisions. The website is designed to help
with your unique financial needs at every stage of life.
Whether you’re going to school, buying your first home,
dreaming of a lake cottage, or looking for ideas to make your
money grow, you’ll find the information and advice you need.
Try out the financial calculators to help with your decisions.
Look up directions to any of our 100+ branches. Or just relax
while doing late night online banking. There’s even a guided
tour to introduce you to the new features!
The new site is a single online source of information for all
our members across the province. Please let us know what
you think of the new site. Your feedback is important and
helps us to serve you better.
Your vote counts
As a member-owner at Servus, you have a
say in your credit union and have the right to
vote for the Directors who serve on the Board.
Servus will conduct an election for four Director
positions from February 4 to 18, 2011.
To vote for your favorite candidates please
visit your Servus branch or vote online at
servus.ca. To learn more about the candidates
look for their bios in your January statement.
Candidates have also created videos about their
qualifications and desire to be members of the
Board. You can watch them on our website.
Election results will be announced at the Annual
General Meeting, being held on Thursday, March
17, 2011 in Edmonton at the Winspear Centre.
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care
Kindness ripples across the world
“…gave a loaf
of bread and
a baby blanket
to a single
mom”
“…gave to
Christmas Box
for children
in need”
“…helped
a family
struggling
to pay their
gas bill”
Do good.
Feel good.
Repeat.
“…gave to
Camp for Kids
With Cancer”
“…it only takes
a second to
put a smile on
someone’s face...
pass it on”
Be part of the Feel Good Ripple! The
kindness movement has been revived
and it’s sweeping through Alberta and
beyond. A Feel Good Ripple is set in
motion by simple gestures, such as
giving flowers to a stranger or handing
out mittens on a cold day…anything to
make someone smile.
To be part of the Feel Good Ripple all
you have to do is pick up a Ripple card
at any Servus Credit Union branch.
Everyone who receives a ripple package
is asked to make a pledge to do a good
deed and make someone’s day. When
you brighten someone’s day, you give
that person the Ripple card and inspire
“…the smile we got
was worth more
than money can buy,
and the happiness
we got from his
happiness was
priceless”
“…carried a
lady’s heavy
groceries”
him or her to do the same for someone
else…who will pass it on…who will pass
it on…
We then ask for people to share their
stories at any Servus branch or online
at FeelGoodRipple.ca. Hundreds of
heartwarming ripples are pouring in.
If you’ve experienced the Feel Good
Ripple, tell the world your story! You’ll
be entered for a chance to win a $500
donation to a charity of your choice.
Servus will draw five $500 winners each
on February 21, June 21 and October
21, 2011.
The ripple was re-launched on October
21, International Credit Union Day.
Servus employees handed out a total of
$200,000 - one $10 bill at a time – to
fund the good deeds and kick start the
movement.
Building better communities, one ripple
at a time.
Long live
the
ripple.
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h e l l o
Meals in the fields
This harvest season we travelled out to the fields to visit some outstanding farm
operators. In our annual Meals in the Fields campaign, Albertans nominated hardworking
farmers for a chance to win a relaxing meal. We received hundreds of
nominations and drew 15 names. Winners received a bar-be-que meal for 15 of their
family, friends and farm helpers, prepared by Servus Ag Specialists and local radio
personalities.
Servus raises
$339,781 for
United Way &
Sign of Hope
Once again, Servus Credit Union
members and employees rose
to the challenge of our annual
United Way and Sign of Hope
fundraiser. This year’s campaign
raised $339,781.
Our employees worked hard
selling books, baked goods,
chili and chocolates; raffling
off X-boxes and gift baskets;
and even pledging part of their
paycheques to the charities.
Servus matched those employee
pledges at 50 cents on the dollar.
L to R: Robert, Max and Jacqueline Moffat; Ashley Scott, Cindy Johnston, Linda Rutley and Cliff
Torry - Servus agricultural team; Donald Moffat
Of course, our members
helped us too. You bought our
chocolates and raffle tickets,
played our games and gave up
a little extra cash to help others.
Thank you!
“Thank you for sending me to
Goldeye Camp. I have learned a lot
about life choices. I’ve learned too
what a huge impact a single person
can make in a life.” — Laura F.,
Summer 2010
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Ten happy
campers
This summer Servus sponsored
10 youth to attend a one-week cooperative
camp. They came home
with some great memories. The
Alberta Community and Co-operative
Association (ACCA) hosts this camp
at Goldeye Centre near Banff. Camp
kids learn about co-operatives, credit
unions and agriculture. They learn
to develop their leadership and
communication skills and realize their
full potential. Look for 2011 camp
sponsorship details at Servus branches
in the spring.
What makes Servus so passionate
about this fundraiser
The United Way is a ‘big picture’
charity. Rather than support
any one cause, they practice
strategic giving. The United Way
coordinates the resources of
many smaller charities to achieve
big results, helping people every
step of the way.
Sign of Hope is run by Catholic
Social Services, but it actually
helps people of all faiths and
cultures. It changes the lives
of such diverse groups as
people living with HIV or AIDS,
abused or neglected seniors,
and street youth.

smart
Get ready for
the longest
vacation of
your life
Many people spend more time
planning a two-week vacation than
their own retirement. In reality,
your retirement may turn out to be
more than thirty percent of your
life! Prepare now for your extended
holiday.
Take this short retirement quiz
Instructions: Ask yourself one
question: “How will I spend my days
when I retire” Then take some time
to visualize your golden years. Jot
down your thoughts.
Hint: What do you see yourself
doing Where are you living When
will your spouse retire Are you
travelling How often How much
is your income Where is it coming
from Who’s running your business
Do you have a part-time job or a
hobby Are you supporting children
or grandchildren Do you have home
or vehicle expenses
Your answers will give you a clear
picture so you can put the wheels in
motion to plan a strategy. A plan that
encompasses the what, where, when
and how of your retirement is just as
important as the “how much”.
Your Servus financial advisors are
here to help. Tell us what your
retirement looks like. We’ll work
together with you to find sensible
Get a break on your taxes
One of the best ways to reduce your 2010 income tax bill is to contribute to a
Registered Retirement Savings Plan. If you don’t have the cash, consider taking
a short-term personal loan. The tax savings you’ll incur, added to the long-term
benefit of your nest egg, can far outweigh the minimal interest on the loan.
Reminder: The RRSP contribution deadline for the 2010 tax year is Tuesday,
March 1, 2011. Visit us today to explore your options. Contribute to your RRSP
early and beat the February rush.
solutions that fit your unique
situation. Your plan should allow you
to live happily today while keeping
you on the path to reach your goals.
If you need in-depth products or
services, we’ll arrange for you to meet
one of our licensed professionals.
Servus has experts in several areas
of specialization, such as estate,
trust, insurance, business or farm
succession, taxes and wills.
At Servus we’re with you all the way,
through every stage of your life. We’ll
adjust your plan as your life changes
so you always stay on track.
Call or visit your Servus branch today
and make an appointment to discuss
your retirement dream. Then relax
and enjoy peace of mind knowing
that you will get to where you
want to go.
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A helping hand for community projects
When a community builds a facility
designed to fill a compelling need,
Servus is there to support. We are
passionate about making a real
difference in communities. Here are
some important projects that Servus
supported this year:
Servus has also contributed to
water spray parks in Mundare
and Three Hills.These will provide
fun recreation for young families.
As we continue to support Alberta
communities, we are considering other
capital project requests.
The Thorpe Recovery Centre is an
addictions treatment facility. It will
provide hope for a brighter future to
many people from western Canada.
The recovery centre will have 72
beds, providing treatment for adults
and youth. Located in Lloydminster,
Alberta, it will open in winter 2012.
Lac La Biche Bold Centre is a
multipurpose facility that will open in
December 2010. The centre will be a
great asset, changing the way people
live and enhancing quality of life. It
has a swimming pool, running track,
fitness room, and two ice arenas.
Apply Online for your
sponsorship request
Servus supports programs, events and
facilities that make our communities
great places to live and work. Each year,
hundreds of charitable organizations
request support from Servus. To help us
respond to these quickly and efficiently,
we’ve created a new online request system.
If you are a charitable organization looking
for donation or sponsorship support,
please visit servus.ca to submit your
request.
Visionary students win scholarships
In our new Young & Free Scholarship program, we encouraged students to dare
to dream. Students were asked to create a video or an essay about their vision for
a better world. We received 248 amazing and inspiring stories. A team of Servus
employees selected 30 scholarship recipients who each received $1,000. To add
to the excitement we held a Big Bucks Bonus Contest. The public voted for their
favourite students at YoungFreeAlberta.com. The three with the most votes won
iPads and first place an additional $1,000 GIC!
straight talk
Corporate Centre:
#151 Karl Clark Road NW
Edmonton, AB T6N 1H5
Regional Offices:
Box 1410, 5012 – 49 Street
Lloydminster, AB/SK S9V 1K4
601, 4901 – 48 Street
Red Deer, AB T4N 6M4
straighttalk@servuscu.ca
servus.ca
Toll Free
187SERVUSCU
(1.877.378.8728)
To recognize their accomplishments, Servus invited scholarship and contest
winners to attend a celebration at the Art Gallery of Alberta on October 28.
Congratulations to
these scholarship
recipients
Rebecca Anderson
Joseph Andrews
Jordan Betteridge
Kaitlan Braden
Marija Cadjan
Matthew Caindec
Kelsey Cherepuschak
Helen Chung
Peter Chung
Anna Hankins
Jacob Hills
Brandi Johnson
Amanda Klinger
Stefan Kruhlak
Mitchal Lacoursiere
Trista Lorenz
Cecilia Mah
Alexandra
Mansbridge
Robert McClure
Kenny Moreau
Kelsie Oberg
Amy Pham
Jessica Polivchuk
Matthew Schafer
Ketelyn Siggelkow
Erika Soley
Christopher Tonita
Jaimie Van Ham
Erika Walker
Shari Woytowich
Bonus Winners
Bretton Hari (1st Place)
David Martin
Stephanie Simpson
FSC logo goes here
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