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On International Credit Union Day (October 17), credit unions in Maine and around the globe will come together to celebrate “One World Through Cooperative Finance.” Through advocacy and celebration, credit unions will highlight the unique achievements our movement has made while also demonstrating that we are truly about People Helping People.
For its unique part, the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) aims to distribute 25,000 International Credit Union (ICU) Day® pins in return for $500,000 in donations by International Credit Union Day. Donations will go toward advancing WFCU’s mission of bridging gaps in credit union digitalization, safety, gender inequality, and leadership by growing initiatives such as Global DE, Global Women’s Leadership Network, Project Storm Break, and World Young Credit Union Professionals.
Pins and Swag to Support a Global Movement
To incentivize giving and bring the global movement together to celebrate as one, WFCU launched brand new collectible ICU Day pins that debuted at the 2024 World Credit Union Conference (WCUC). In just four days, WFCU distributed over 1,400 collectible pins, which feature the new ICU Day logo and hashtag for 2024, #ICUDay2024. Now you have an opportunity to secure your own pin!
Along with the pins, WFCU also is selling select ICU Day swag, thanks to a new partnership with ServiStar Consulting’s Umbrella Man store, that includes t-shirts, mugs, and collectible stickers. WFCU encourages donors to show off their credit union pride on October 17 by posting to social media with their new ICU Day swag and collectible pins using #ICUDay2024.
Helping Your Credit Union Celebrate
ICU Day is a day of advocacy and celebration for credit unions that started in 1948 and serves as a chance to highlight achievements as a global movement. For 2024 and in partnership with the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), WFCU announced “One World Through Cooperative Finance” as the theme for the 76th anniversary at the World Credit Union Conference (WCUC) in July in Boston.
To bring awareness and togetherness to the global credit union movement, WOCCU, WFCU, and leagues across the country – including the Maine Credit Union League – are asking credit unions to:
- Educate. Download the ICU Day 2024 poster, theme, and logo and display them at your credit union to help us spread the word about how important credit unions are!
- Participate. Consider ordering pins and swag today to wear during ICU Day celebrations.
- Celebrate. Take to social media to share your celebrations with #ICUDay2024. WOCCU and WFCU will even re-share these posts throughout the week.
Going a Step Further in Maine – Accept Our Challenge!
This October, our League is bringing back the $100,000 Challenge. By accepting our challenge, your credit union (and your members) will help us raise $100,000 in one month to benefit our shared Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger. One of the reasons we shifted the Challenge to October was to better time it around International Credit Union Day.
In addition to raising money for local food pantries and Good Shepherd Food Bank, we also will be raising money to support a new pilot backpack program for Special Olympics Maine. This innovative initiative will help meet the needs of Special Olympics athletes who are facing food insecurity while also providing them an opportunity to give back to their communities.
Details about the $100,000 Challenge, the new fundraising component with Special Olympics Maine, and how your credit union can both donate and support this critical fundraiser will be shared next week. Please stay tuned and make plans to engage!