KALAMAZOO, Mich.— Educational Community Credit Union (ECCU) said its members made a “powerful statement” during the credit union’s recent #makeastatement campaign. The goal of the campaign, which ran from October 2014 through February 2015, was not only to encourage members to switch from paper statements to eStatements, but to also raise awareness about three green and nature-based community organizations: Kalamazoo Nature Center, Fresh Food Fairy, and Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy.
“We really wanted to make this a win-win for everyone involved,” said Tina Mason, ECCU’s director of marketing. “For members, eStatements are convenient, secure and better for our environment. It’s also a cost saver for the credit union, which ultimately ends up positively affecting our members in the form of better rates and services.”
And for the three community organizations? “We designated $3,000 to divvy up between them, and let members decide how much each organization received,” Mason revealed. “When they switched from paper statements to eStatements through HomeBanking, they had the chance to vote whether eStatements were for Food Fairies, Conservation Heroes (SWMLC), or the Birds (Kalamazoo Nature Center).”
With 4,140 members switching to eStatements, $500 awarded to paperless members through monthly drawings, and $3,000 donated to three outstanding organizations, “the campaign was a huge success,” Mason exclaimed. “We are so proud of our members for choosing to #makeastatement!”
The Kalamazoo Nature Center received 57% of the votes ($1,170), Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy received 23% of votes ($690), and the Fresh Food Fairy received 20% of the votes ($600).