I thought I’d share with you all a recent incident where one of our members has SMS One Time Passwords, on their internet banking and this service stopped funds being fraudulently debited from their account.

The member out of the blue rec’d a text msg on their registered mobile phone number advising of their online banking password.

The member knew they weren’t accessing it so they contacted their branch to discuss. It now appears their home PC has been infected by a virus and their personal details were passed onto a ‘mule’ to gain access to their account and transfer fund out. Unfortunately others who used the PC for their banking at other Financial Institutions where they didnt have SMS One Time Passwords weren’t so lucky and have lost funds.

Because of the SMS One Time Passwords recently introduced at Companion the ‘mule’ cannot gain access to the account.

This is a good success story and goes to show how this service protects your funds and the inconveience caused through this fraudulent activity.

Mark.B
Executive Manager, Member Services

August 19th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

The Cambodian Leadership Challenge is a fundraising program that is run by CUFA. The challenge involves taking the everyday worker such as me out of their true comfort zone; to participate in a life changing journey.

There are four components for this challenge:
Fundraising, Physical, In Country Project Work, along with Community Service.

My fundraising was a personal achievement for me. It started with selling chocolates to our members, local communities and staff. I contacted local businesses talking to them about my challenge and fundraising, with many letters being sent out.

This pushed me to limits I had never anticipated, taking myself “out of my comfort zone”. We had to raise at least $3000 to participate in the program. By raising the money, many people became aware of CUFA, who it was and what they do, especially the Cambodian Children’s Literacy Program. This is a program that is funded by the CUFA Cambodian leadership Challenge: The program mainly focuses on 7 to 9 year olds in poor regions of Cambodia. There are nearly 6000 children participating in over 156 classes in Battanbang, Prey Veng, Takeo and Kandal Provinces throughout Cambodia. The children are taught how to save, financial literacy skills and eventually open their own savings account at a local savings bank. It is run by local CUFA Project Field Staff.

The Physical Leadership component of the challenge involved riding a push bike through provinces of Cambodia for four and half days riding over 265kms.

Before leaving for Cambodia I had reserved feelings about the bike ride as it had been many years since I rode a bike. But with a few weeks of training and gym work (many spin classes) it helped me achieve what I set out to do.

Arriving in Siem Reap on a very hot and humid afternoon we were fitted for our bikes then went for our first practice ride. Nothing had prepared me for what I was about to encounter; the traffic which I soon learnt “give way to the biggest,” stay on the right of cars, tuk tuks, cyclos and a variety of the animal kingdom passing me by. But with the help from the Raw Travel Boys who supplied our bikes and rode along with us I was eased into the ride and gradually realized to just go with the flow.

As a team of eight people with different occupations, personalities and ages we worked together to form a common goal. It involved a lot of patience, understanding and companionship; making sure we cycled together over 265kms. We endured pain, temperatures, humidity and many a long ride along main highways and dusty dirty and very bumpy roads.

Each participant had different strengths and weaknesses enabling some to finish earlier than others but always encouraging and urging everyone over the finish line. Along the way we were met by friendly children waving and saying “Hello” from the side of the road.

Our In Country Project Work started in Battambang; visiting two local schools where the Financial Literacy Program is run. We joined in with the children’s lessons. It was very humbling to see the children appreciate our visit. Part of this exercise was Roll playing and Presentations. (Through an interpreter) It was very satisfying to see their smiling faces when receiving a simple ruler or pencil and being so attentive and engaging. Children want to save their money for their future. A new school uniform or further their education or help their parents.

Also while in Battambang we were honoured guests at the opening of a local Savings Bank. This bank is called OMUNY. The local community welcomed us with a fanfare of music and colourful banners, tents and people eager to witness the opening of their new savings bank. After the formalities we were treated to local cuisine and traditional Khmer dancing and a tour of the savings bank. It was a privilege for each participant to open an account at the Bank.

While visiting the villages we had a greater appreciation and insight into their everyday living. Through talking to local village people, we heard of their hardship and struggles within their everyday life and how the project that CUFA is running enables them to live a better quality of life.

The Cambodian Leadership Challenge has certainly taken me out of my comfort zone; from fundraising; to project work and community development. The opportunity has given me a broader world view of a culture that has strengthened from such horrendous history arising from the Khmer Rouge Regime. The smiles on their faces give hope to a better quality of life in the future.

I have learned that we all have different strengths and weaknesses. We all worked towards a common goal, each participant bringing their individual ideas, giving us the ability to develop, participate and allowing us to have increased awareness and confidence within ourselves.

This has been an exciting, adventurous and very rewarding challenge. I have returned with increased knowledge, enthusiasm and team building skills I can utilize on my return to the workplace. I can share my knowledge and awareness of the work Credit Unions are doing overseas.

I would like to thank CUFA for allowing me to participate in this challenge also a big thank you to CUNA Mutual for their sponsorship to allow the program to run.
Thank you to Companion Credit Union for sponsoring me to participate in the challenge. To the staff, family and friends for your support and donations who have encouraged and helped me achieve this amazing journey on the Cambodian Leadership Challenge 2009. I hope I can inspire other staff members to take up this challenge in 2010.

A Few Things I Have Learnt.
*Water is precious and never to be taken for granted again.
*Some people overcame their fears by eating cooked spiders –Tarantulas (and some didn’t).
*You don’t need material things to be happy.
*Angkor beer is pretty good.
*Air conditioning is wonderful.
*I didn’t need my handmade padded bike seat by the end of the ride.

Thank you (Or Kun)
CHRISTINE AUSTIN
MEMBER SERVICE CONSULTANT
COMPANION CREDIT UNION

'local children enjoying the Financial Literacy Program'

'Enjoying the beautiful scenery'

'The crew from Raw Travel who supplied the bikes & rode the whole journey'

'Tarantula - The tastes of Cambodia'

'The Cambodian Leadership Challenge Team'

'The end of the road'

August 4th, 2009 | 3 Comments »