m SPRING 2015 ISSUE yno. 22 EECU MEMBER PROFILE Member Spotlight: Janice Pearson Dean of San Joaquin College of Law Janice Pearson is proud of San Joaquin College of Law s mission and the role that the school has played in educating and keeping lawyers in the Valley. The college was founded in 1969 by a judge and two attorneys with the goal of providing a quality, affordable law school to people in the region as an option for them to study law in the Valley rather than elsewhere and risk that they might not return. The college has thrived and paid huge dividends for the Valley. Thirty-eight judges, court commissioners and administrative law judges, as well as several county district attorneys and their staff members, are graduates. So, too, are numerous lawyers with private firms and legal services agencies. (Cont. inside Janice Pearson) PRODUCT/SERVICE PROFILE EECU Visa Gift Cards Gift One Today! Springtime brings plenty of gift-giving occasions. Mother s Day, graduations and weddings on top of traditional personal events mean lots of time picking out and getting gifts for everyone. EECU wants you to enjoy the season, which is why we offer the EECU Visa gift card. Visa gift cards are a great way to show the people in your life not only that you care, but also that you want them to truly enjoy your gift by letting them decide what to get. Our gift card fits everyone, especially those hard-to-buy-for people, and you ll always be sure to please. Stop by a branch today and ask an associate about our Visa gift cards or visit our website for details. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Annaul Election of Volunteer Officials Cash for College Manager Profile Member Conduct Policy Save the Date: Annual Meeting Is Just Around the Corner Protecting Your Mobile Devices, Protecting Your Identity Let Your Home Equity Work For You
SPRING 2015 Bulletin Board Holiday Hours In observance of the following holiday we will be closed: Memorial Day Monday, May 25 Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, May 26. Annual Election of Volunteer Officials Each year Educational Employees Credit Union is required to elect volunteer officials and conduct an Annual Meeting. For 2015, there are open positions for the Board of Directors and the Supervisory Committee. From November 2014 through January 2015, we sought potential candidates through emails, articles in our newsletters, and statement inserts to the membership. This year, there was no contest for the available three Board of Directors and three Supervisory Committee positions for the 2015 election. Therefore, as provided in the Credit Union Bylaws, the Board of Directors will declare at the Annual Meeting that those nominated and qualified to be elected are elected without the need for an election. Upcoming Dates April 14: Kings County Excellence in Education Awards April 22: Selma Unified School District Art Show at Selma Branch April 1-30: National Credit Union Youth Month June 12: Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting is Friday, June 12, at Buchanan High School in Clovis. Read the article in this newsletter for more information about the event. Moved Recently? Let Us Know Have you moved recently? Remember to provide us with your current contact information (address and phone number). Fill out the Change of Address Form on our website myeecu.org or call us at 1-800-538-3328. Need Cash for College? EECU s Educational Grant Program is open to members who are pursuing a posthigh school education at a community college, university/college, vocational/ technical school, or advanced professional training in the United States. In order to be eligible to apply for a 2016 grant you must be an EECU member in good standing and your account must be opened by June 11, 2015. Applications for the 2016 EECU Grant Program will be available in October. Members who submit a complete application and who meet the grant eligibility requirements will have an opportunity to be considered for a $2,000 grant. If you or someone you know would benefit from a $2,000 educational grant, please share this information or visit myeecu.org for details.
Member Conduct Policy EECU currently serves over 238,000 members. Most conduct themselves in a courteous and businesslike manner. However, on occasion whether at the credit union or another place of business some have witnessed or experienced inappropriate conduct. Unfortunately, we live in a society where threatening behavior and violent crime have become all too familiar. In our continuing efforts to foster a safer workplace for employees and members, the Board of Directors has approved a policy regarding appropriate member conduct. As stated in the policy, EECU believes that our employees should be able to work in an environment free of abusive conduct, and free of risks posed by workplace violence and harassment. Examples of such unacceptable conduct include, but are not limited to, the following: Use of profane, abusive, intimidating or threatening language toward employees or fellow members Actual or threatened violence against any employee or fellow member Unwelcome sexual overtures or advances Using or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol on credit union premises Based on this policy, if it is determined that a member s conduct has ascended to a level that triggers the provisions of this policy, the credit union, at its sole discretion, may take such actions necessary to protect staff and fellow members. Such discipline could include the denial of services involving personal contact with credit union employees. This would in effect limit a member to conduct credit union banking either by mail or electronically. In these times of elevated security, it truly takes a team approach to make our everyday lives safer. If you become aware of a potentially unsafe condition at the credit union, please contact branch management immediately or our Member Service Center at 1-800-538-3328. Save the Date: Annual Meeting Is Just Around the Corner Save the date for the 2015 EECU Annual Meeting. Festivities will be on Friday, June 12, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Business Meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. The event will take place at Buchanan High School in Clovis. There will be light food and refreshments, fun and plenty of valuable information. You ll have the opportunity to learn about what s going on at the credit union. A report of the election results for the Board of Directors and the Supervisory Committee will be announced, and we ll provide a brief overview of EECU s financials, 2014 accomplishments and coming goals for 2016. Of course, our meeting isn t just about introductions and overviews it s also about having a relaxing and enjoyable evening. We will serve a light dinner snack, soda, kettle corn and ice cream. Watch for more details as we get closer to the date. Sorry, no pets will be allowed.
MANAGER SPOTLIGHT Keith Allington Network Security Manager Keith Allington knows the significant role that he and the entire EECU technology team play in keeping member information secure and confidential. We re here for the members, Keith says. We want to protect their information and maintain their trust. And that mission is ingrained in the Information Services Department and throughout the entire EECU staff. We make it clear that it s everyone s job to protect the information of members and the credit union. He says as all of our lives become more intertwined with technology, the credit union is continually taking steps to tighten security, educate members and staff, and guard information. The task is huge and the dynamic nature of technology changes from day to day. We have to keep up with the latest threat trends and what other organizations are experiencing and seeing, he says. He offered perspective on the daily challenges that financial institutions face in staying one step ahead of hackers constantly trying to gain access to confidential information. We, the good guys, have to be right all the time, he says. The bad guys only have to be right once. One of his main duties is to work with others in the credit union to reduce those risks. EECU also has state and federal regulators and third-party auditors pore over the credit union s security procedures. They come in as another set of eyes to examine our technology security, he says. From each assessment or audit we ve used the results to improve what we do. Keith started working for EECU as a computer operator 25 years ago, serving in various technology staff positions before becoming the network security manager. During his career, he has seen tremendous growth in all areas of the credit union growth that could not have happened without our members having trust in us. We re a major part of the Valley in the number of households in which we have members, and in our donations to programs and events, and our community involvement, Keith says, noting that he is proud of the good reputation EECU has built in the region. It s nice to work for a good and respected organization. In his personal life, Keith and his wife, Karen, have two grown sons. He says he has enjoyed his career with EECU. It s been exciting and rewarding.
MEMBER PROFILE Janice Pearson (Cont. from Cover) Most of our graduates are local and remain local, and have done amazing things for the community, she says. It helps to keep smart, trained people in the Valley. The college s graduates represent more than a quarter of the attorneys practicing law in Fresno. Janice is especially thankful for the opportunities the school has provided for women and minorities. About one-third of the female lawyers and an equal proportion of the minority lawyers in Fresno are graduates. The law school has changed the face of the legal community. Janice, who has been the school s dean for 30 years, says her satisfaction in leading the school comes from seeing students who complete the college s rigorous program become successful and soar. They go on to do things far beyond what they dreamt they could ever do, she says. The school in Clovis incorporates coursework with practical training and experience for students, operating programs such as the New American Legal Clinic, which offers free immigration assistance to low-income people. Students work on cases with the supervision, review and final approval of professors. We want to make sure they can practice law once they pass the bar, she says. Janice started teaching at the college as an adjunct professor in 1982 while working as a consumer protection lawyer. The Bay Area native became the school s dean in 1985. After teaching for 27 years, she now focuses on administrative duties, planning, finances and fundraising. What brought me here were the opportunities, and that is still the case, she says. There are opportunities in Fresno that people are clamoring for elsewhere in the state. Very few of our graduates are unemployed. Among those opportunities is a partnership between San Joaquin College of Law and EECU, which is funding a scholarship to help reduce tuition cost for a student who is an EECU member. The school is excited about the scholarship and grateful to the credit union, Janice says. EECU knows the importance of education in the success and health of a community. Janice enjoys her time away from work with her husband, Jackson Grode, a retired Fresno Unified School District teacher. The couple like the outdoors, especially hiking. Jackson spent 18 years as a white water rafting guide, during which Janice also took part in the summer excursions. Later this year they plan to travel to Yellowstone Park for their fifth summer of geyser chasing. Janice loves her job and is appreciative of the college s 36 full-time employees and the adjunct professors. I am fortunate to work with a group of sensational people, she says of the school s staff. They are really capable and caring people. For more information on the scholarship, please visit the San Joaquin College of Law website (sjcl.edu). Madera Ranchos ATM Now Open We recently opened an ATM in Madera Ranchos at Avenue 12 and Fernwood Drive. Stop by! Spend Your Money on the Home Not the Appraisal Fee Free home appraisal on all new home mortgage loans up to $400 in savings!* *Offer valid for new mortgage loan applications received through May 31, 2015. One free appraisal per member.
Protecting Your Mobile Devices, Protecting Your Identity Taking steps to protect your mobile phone or other mobile device is an important part of protecting your identity. Here are five ways to keep your information safe: Choose a password based on something significant to you, not because it s easy to remember or a simple sequence, like 1234. A password on your phone is less convenient but the security is well worth it. If your mobile device has the option to wipe your information remotely (services like icloud offer this feature), you should enable it. If you lose your phone or it s stolen, you can delete your information before someone has a chance to abuse it. Beware of a text saying that you won a gift card through a drawing that you didn t enter. It s a phishing or SMShing scam looking for a new victim. Be suspicious of any text or email asking for personal information. Watch out for rogue apps. These fake apps look like a mobile banking app to steal your online banking credentials. Don t keep passwords in the notes or contact section on your phone. If you want to store website or online banking passwords on your phone, keep them in a secure password app. For more ways to keep your information safe, visit our Security Center at myeecu.org. Let Your Home Equity Work For You Published quarterly by: EDUCATIONAL EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION P.O. Box 5242 Fresno, CA 93755 Member Service Center 1-800-538-3328 Website myeecu.org Pay no application fee when you apply for a Home Equity Line of Credit a $125 savings!* *Offer valid through May 31, 2015. Variable Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 4.00% as of 2/28/15. Lifetime maximum APR is start rate plus 5%, currently 9.00%. $25 annual fee. $125 application fee waived with an opening advance of at least $10,000. Fees to establish equity line range from $125 to $575 for lines in second lien position. Rates and terms subject to change without notice. Loans subject to credit approval. Other restrictions may apply. EQUAL HOUSING LENDER Federally Insured by NCUA