Chapter Bulletin is a monthly publication of The Wisconsin Credit Union League (Communications Department) published September through April. League directors and chapter leaders receive Chapter Bulletin to assist with announcements at monthly chapter meetings. The last three items are intended as talking points for Young Professional Liaisons, but can be used by others if the YP Liaison is not present or if the chapter does not have a YP Liaison.

Please contact jphillips@theleague.coop if your email address changes.

For more information, contact:
Christine Henzig, Director of Communications
(262) 408-6019

Register NOW for the State Government Affairs Conference, Jan. 22-23
Advance your members' and credit unions' interests by attending the State Government Affairs Conference, Jan. 22-23 in Madison. We'll visit with all 131 legislative offices, just before lawmakers prepare the state budget.  UW Professor and founder of Pollster.com Charles Franklin will offer our group post-election analysis and Jeff Mayers, President of WisPolitics.com, will facilitate a panel discussion on politics and policies. Top state economist John Koskinen will share an economic update. You'll also hear from Racine Mayor and former League Director of Government Affairs John Dickert and state lawmakers who – through their committee and leadership roles—can greatly influence financial institutions. Take advantage of $99 registration for young professionals (includes a pre-conference workshop Jan. 21), first-timers and Conduit Account holders. Also get a free registration by being a payroll deduction CU and additional registrations for every five new employees added to the program in 2012.

Nominations Accepted through Feb. 15 for League Board positions
The League Board is accepting nominations through Feb. 15 to fill terms representing credit unions in Region 2 and Region 4. To be eligible, the person must be a Director, President, Senior VP or Executive VP of a League member credit union within the Region that person is to represent. All candidates must be nominated by the president or chair of their credit union and obtain seconding signatures by two other credit unions within the Region.  Obtain nomination forms from Karen Raether at (262) 408-6021.

Your membership matters!
Take a moment to learn the many ways your League, CUNA and system partners help credit unions so that they can be more effective delivering service to Wisconsin's 2.3 million members and communities. Our article series, at www.theleague.coop/membershipmatters,  explains the strength we achieve through our unity. Credit unions' League and CUNA dues must be paid by Jan. 31.

Designate gifts to the Foundation, CU House when paying dues this year
When paying your League and CUNA dues this year, consider an additional voluntary gift to support the Wisconsin Credit Union Foundation and/or Credit Union House in Madison. Foundation gifts support financial literacy programs like the brass|STUDENT Program, The Foundation's grants and scholarships, and the CU system in times of need. CU House, on Capitol Square, is our home base to advocate on behalf of 2.3 million members in Wisconsin. All gifts will be recognized according to the donor level.

Roundtables offer great networking and practical insights on human resources, compliance
The League's Roundtables are some of the League’s most well-attended sessions. They provide participants the most up-to-date information by leading experts as well as a forum to ask questions and learn with and from peers how to apply their knowledge in everyday situations. Roundtables offer some of the best networking and information sharing of the year! Mark your calendar for the HR Roundtable, Feb. 20 in Appleton, the Compliance Roundtable, March 21 in Pewaukee, and the Small Credit Union Roundtable, March 6. To register, contact Judy Phillips at (262) 408-6020.

Learn the essentials of closed-end real estate lending
Feb. 6 in Pewaukee is your opportunity to learn the essentials for basic closed-end, fixed rate real estate loans in Wisconsin. New and experienced staff will gain from an analysis of the loan-making process from application to post-closing. Bring your credit union's loan forms and disclosures to reconcile them with the seminar's checklist and samples. To register, contact Judy Phillips at (262) 408-6020.

$39 Retirement Fair: help yourself, then members
Make sure your own saving plan – and then that of your members – is on track by participating in The League's Retirement Fair in Milwaukee.  It's a new spin on the “reality fair” that has successfully taught teens financial decision-making, only you'll make decisions about your future lifestyle, such as whether you'll pursue a new passion, travel, help children or grandchildren financially, move to a larger or smaller home and so on. For just $39, encourage co-workers to attend!  The Fair, set for Feb. 12, will be held between our two-day IRA Essentials and IRA Beyond Essentials Workshops. To register, contact Judy Phillips at (262) 408-6020.

Several financial education opportunities are on the horizon
Contact Chad Helminak at The League for details on:

• National Credit Union Youth Week, April 21-27, invites you to involve you members in a Saving Challenge and invite legislators to tour your youth-run branch using our sample communications.
  
  
• Money Smart Week Wisconsin, invites you to teach financial concepts April 20-27. Partner organizations receive a free participation kit. It's a great time to offer educational outreach to your members as well as financially underserved groups. Visit www.moneysmartweek.org for details.
  
  
• The National Institute of Financial & Economic Literacy in Madison is now accepting registrations. Credit unions sponsor the attendance of local high school teachers at this summer workshop to help them improve their financial lessons for students. If you have a school branch it’s another way to deepen your relationship and if not, to create a relationship, with educators.
  
  
• The Finance and Investment Challenge Bowl invites student teams to compete in a personal finance tournament that involves regional championships and statewide finals in May. Regional tournaments are held in Madison, Racine/Kenosha, Milwaukee, Rhinelander, the Fox Cities, Wausau and the Menomonie Reservation. Grades 9-12 from any city can participate. Contact Richard Entenmann at (608) 663-6332 or info@assetbuilders.org to add local student groups to the competition.
  
  
• The National Credit Union Foundation invites credit unions to hold a "Financially Fit" Day on April 3 that offers members action steps to improve their finances (or another campaign) and asks for a financial donation to support continued financial education efforts. Funds will be split 50/50 between NCUF and the Wisconsin Credit Union Foundation. Get involved using the free toolkit.

Money Mission® offers credit unions unique opportunity to attract younger members
Looking to attract young members? Then use The League Services Corp.'s Money Mission®, an interactive, web-based simulation that educates teens on the fundamentals of personal finance. The game, which offers a chance to win state-level scholarships, introduces area youth to credit unions, drives traffic to the credit union's website and opens a line of communication by which credit unions can create lasting relationships with younger members. Contact Ben Schweder at (262) 408- 6026.

Don't miss these League trainings in February!
Our calendar includes: maximizing mobile lending trends, ACH death notification entries & reclamations & your CU's liability, Reg. CC (holds, substitute checks & check clearing), closed-end real estate lending, creating a SEG development plan, tax refunds (ACH exceptions, posting & CU liability); IRA Essentials & Beyond Essentials , Route Your Retirement Fair, Facebook 101, new BSA officer training, qualifying borrowers using personal tax returns (part 2), HR Roundtable, CTRs and SARs, guidelines for OREO, safe to grow again in 2013, advanced collection techniques to reduce delinquency & loss, and cloud computing.

Let The League file your 990
Let us file for you what has been called the most complex form in IRS history – the Form 990. The Form 990 is a public document so it is recommended that a copy be given to your Board of Directors for review.  Submit your information to The League by Feb. 29 so that a draft can be prepared in time for your April Board Meeting. Contact Cari Thompson at (262) 408-6023.

Help members avoid costly tax refund loans by promoting freetaxrefund.org
Remind members that they don’t need to use expensive tax refund loans to get their refund quickly. Instead they can get their refund fast and for free via direct deposit to their credit union account. The League has created a sample newsletter article/news release that points them to www.freetaxrefund.org, a site maintained by The League that explains their options using a credit union account. A public service announcement (PSA) script for radio is also available.

2013 League Convention coming to Wisconsin Dells May 8-11
Save the date for the 2013 League Convention, May 8-11 at the Kalahari Resort in the Wisconsin Dells. Visit www.theleague.coop/convention to reserve your hotel room today. The League's annual meeting is set for Thursday, May 9 from 1:45 to 2:15 p.m.

Apply for a DE Scholarship from the Foundation
The Wisconsin Credit Union Foundation is accepting applications through March 1 for a scholarship to the May, 2013 Development Education training, held in Madison. DE training offers "CU philosophy immersion"—an in-depth look at CUs' history, global reach, and challenges. Attendees who become Development Educators (CUDEs) learn to apply CU philosophy to solve pressing local problems. DE training may help young staff commit to a CU career. Learn more at www.ncuf.coop

YPs receive free advocacy training ahead of state GAC
Included in young professionals' $99 registration fee for the state Government Affairs Conference in Madison Jan. 22-23 is a pre-conference advocacy workshop that will be held on Monday, Jan 21. The workshop will feature an advocacy training, best practices in credit union messaging and group discussion featuring legislators and seasoned credit union Activists. For more information, contact Chad Helminak at (608) 514-0080.

Plan now for a visit by lawmakers to your youth-run branch during Youth Week, April 21-27
Begin planning your events for the 2013 Youth Week and Saving Challenge. CUNA has ideas for activities and success stories and The League offers all the sample materials you need to invite lawmakers to tour your youth-run branch. This advocacy is critical in showing lawmakers that credit unions do what is right without being compelled to do so and helps ensure their support for our issues.