Money Matters

The Column - October 17, 2019

WORD OF MOUTH

Boulder Dam Credit Union supports hundreds of local charities, athletic events, school programs and other cultural and community projects.  We do this because it is the right thing to do.  This Credit Union only exists because of the success and vitality of Boulder City, and we owe it to the community to support every attempt to make the community stronger, as much as possible.

If you are a participant, parent, event coordinator, teacher, or have other ties to events which we sponsor, we would ask for one thing in return.  Talk about us.  Share our story with your friends, neighbors, and families that you feel could benefit from a financial institution with the greatest service, and the lowest fees, to be found anywhere in this great country.

We are unique.  We value tradition.  And we care about your trust.  It’s a story too good not to share!  So please share it and make our bonds even stronger.

SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF CREDIT UNION PHILOSOPHY

During the Great Depression, a Credit Union official coined the phrase that Credit Unions were “…not for profit, not for charity, but for service…”.  This phrase has withstood the test of time and Boulder Dam Credit Union attempts to demonstrate this philosophy every day.

The CUNA Cooperative Alliances Committee has developed seven cooperative principles that reflect a Credit Union’s commitment to serving members and their community.

1. Voluntary Membership
   Credit Unions are voluntary, cooperative organizations, offering services to people willing to accept the responsibilities and benefits of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.  Credit Unions operate as not-for-profit with a volunteer Board of Directors.
2. Democratic Member Control
   Cooperatives are democratic organizations owned and controlled by their members, one member, one vote, with equal opportunity for participation.
3. Members Economic Participation
   Members are the owners.  As such they contribute to, and democratically control, the capital of the cooperative.  This benefits the members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative rather than on the capital invested.
4. Autonomy and Independence
   Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members.
5. Education, Training and Information
   Cooperatives provide education and training for members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of the cooperative.  Credit Unions place particular importance on educational opportunities for their volunteer directors, and financial education for their members and the public, especially the community’s youth.
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
   Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, state, regional, national, and international structures.
7. Concern for Community
   While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of communities, including people of modest means, through policies developed and accepted by the members.

This is our scorecard.  This is how we judge whether Boulder Dam Credit Union is meeting its obligations and responsibilities as a Credit Union.  Are we good?  I believe so.  Are we one of the best?  Possibly.  Can we get better?  Always.

WORDS OF WISDOM

Nothing in life is to be feared.  It is only to be understood. - Marie Curie