Volunteers rallied together down King William Street, to proudly represent their volunteering organisation. We had 4 staff from Community CPS to represent our Community Volunteers Volunteering program and made it through with the fantastic efforts of some additional volunteers from the MS Society!

Volunteer week is a great time to acknowledge all current volunteers but also show people why it is so important to get involved. If you would like to help ‘Make A Smile’ and volunteer, click here!

Cerebral Palsy is a physical disability that affects the way that a person moves. An Australian child is born with Cerebral Palsy every 15 hours. It’s a lifelong condition, but the effects can vary from a mild weakness in one hand, to a more severe condition, where the person has almost no voluntary movement.

Although there is no known cure, the Cerebral Palsy Alliance strives to enhance the lives of children, teenagers and adults living with cerebral palsy, as well as their families and carers. They aim to foster community participation and skill development through services such as therapy, technology and equipment, respite, fitness and recreation and employment services.

The funds raised from the IKEA trip and other in-branch activities have made it possible for our Civic branch to donate a total of $1412 to this wonderful organisation.

 This money is being used to purchase toys and some large activate buttons to add to their Loan Library. These activate buttons allow the children with limited movement to use the toys or communication devices. Having these in the loan library allows the families to try different switch styles to suit different needs.

 Civic branch staff would like to thank everyone who helped us make this possible.

 If you have any suggestions for other fundraising projects you would like to see us run, please leave us a comment below or send us an email. If you are interested in becoming involved with our community efforts, please click here to see our current volunteering opportunities.

I have had a busy couple of months! I have just started doing shopping centre visits, which can be quite scary for a small puppy. But I am no ordinary puppy and took it in my stride! One of the most challenging things about shopping centres has been the travelators and elevators, but I have mastered them already!

As you can imagine, I attract a lot of attention in the supermarkets and lots of people like to say hello to me. However, I am learning that when I have my coat on I need to focus on the task at hand. This is great training for someday when I might be a Guide Dog or Autism Assistance Dog. I need to stay focused while out working.

I have also been into a café with my Puppy Raising family. It can be quite challenging to ignore all the distractions and to sit still under the table, but I am learning and I think I am starting to get the hang of it.

I have attended some group puppy training sessions in the past few weeks. Of course I love to play with my littermates and friends, but now the challenge is to learn to walk side-by-side on lead and ignore each other. It’s very hard but I am picking it up!

I am having lots of fun with my Puppy Raising family. I really enjoy playing with the kids and they are so happy to have me living with them. The family lives near the beach and I just love walking along the esplanade with the wind in my ears!

I recently attended the “Lollipop Markets,” which is run by my Puppy Raiser. I ended up being one of the main attractions and even appearing in the event’s photo collage!

Soon I’ll begin taking trips on public transport, a big step in a Guide Dog puppy’s life, so wish me luck and I look forward to telling you all about it soon.

Love
Eastwood the Guide Dog

In 2012 Eastwoods sponsored a Guide Dog pup- called Eastwood, we will continue to provide updates on his progress here.

United Community is proud to announce its support of the 2012 Silver Chain Blue Skies program. Blue Skies is an innovative series of free workshops for children following the death a parent or guardian. Aimed at children aged eight to 12 years, Blue Skies is run by Palliative Care social workers, counsellors and volunteers who offer grieving children the opportunity to participate in a number of fun and creative activities which promote healthy grieving.

Silver Chain Social Worker, Mrs Belinda Hughes, is involved in delivering the Blue Skies program and says one of the most important things is to acknowledge is that everyone experiences their grief differently, however, there are certainly common themes to grief.

“One of the most common feelings children express is loneliness,” says Mrs Hughes

“This is reduced by bringing children together in a group setting, where they are encouraged to share and express their emotions. The workshops are run in a safe, gentle and supportive environment and we use puppets, paint, sand and music throughout the program to enable children to express what they’ve been experiencing since their loss.”

Silver Chain’s Relationship Marketing Consultant, Mrs Emma Kerley, says her team is appreciative of the financial support from United Community.

“We rely on sponsorships and donations to enable Silver Chain to continue providing much needed services in the community and the support from United Community will enable us to run three, 2-day Blue Skies sessions to support grieving children each year. We are really excited about their support!” says Mrs Kerley.

For more information on the Blue Skies program please visit www.silverchain.org.au/blue-skies.

As part of this, NYASL was able to bring to Australia, renowned trainer on strengths based practice, Stephen de Groot, to implement the professional development program. This training was very well received, and caseworkers viewed this as an amazing training opportunity.

Their feedback was given to the New South Wales’ Department of Family and Community Service’s who have agreed to fund up to $20,000 for Mr. De Groot to come back in May and train those who work in the homelessness sector across the state. This is a fantastic outcome from Companion’s partnership with NYASL, as we have been able to shape the way people are working with young people in this sector.

As part of the Living Skills program for youth, Raymond Terrace Branch Manager Ruth McCarry facilitated a ‘Money Matters’ workshop for youth supported by NYASL.

The presentation included talking about basics like shelter and food, being able to afford education and other crucial requirements as well as saving and goal setting. We have received fantastic feedback from NYASL about this workshop with many of the youth commenting that Ruth made it easy for them to understand and how helpful the workshop was. If your organisation is interested in a Money Matters workshop please contact us.

This year’s competitors in addition to Community CPS are Police Credit Union and Credit Union South Australia!

1 in 3 people will need blood in their lifetime yet only 1 in 30 people currently donate blood! Every time you donate you can save up to three lives – wouldn’t you like to be part of the change?

The aim of this challenge…if you choose to accept, is to donate blood at any Red Cross Centre between June 1st – August 31st 2012!

1. Register as a donor by phoning 13 14 95
2. Join ‘Club Red’ on-line http://ow.ly/aoMzQ
3. Select Community CPS Australia as the Organisation or group

Though this is a competition only run in SA we always encourage members Australia wide to support the Red Cross in blood donations where possible.

If you have any questions in regards to the Blood Challenge please contact us on 13 25 85 or simply visit your local branch!

^MM

For the small cost of $2.50 you can purchase  Sausages in a roll. Onions and sauces will also be available and cans of drink costing $1.50.

Please come along and help support this great non for profit organisation who provide counselling and support services to those who develop asbestos-related diseases and their families – Asbestos Diseases Society Association.

Last financial year, Community CPS donated more than $1 million dollars back into local charities in South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, Wagga Wagga, Hunter Region and Western Australia through community initiatives such as fund raising, campaigns, community grants and donations.

Michelle -  State Manager WA

The partnership funds will also launch the Hands-On-Theatre for Young People initiative, which offers tailored workshops specifically designed to enhance the creative experience and literacy skills of young people.  Workshops will be conducted by experienced Windmill Theatre artists and will be presented at various locations including specific junior and team camps aligned with Camp Quality, and other charitable organisations we support.

We are setting a leading example as a socially responsible corporate citizen supporting the communities in which we operate.  The Windmill partnership fits well within our company corporate philosophy and also importantly provides direct ongoing benefits to our members.

Brenton-  State Manager SA

In support of Pilbara and Kimberley Care Inc, United Community Credit Union – Karratha Branch is proudly sponsoring a Trivia Night on Saturday 28 April to help raise much needed funds for this great organisation so they can continue to provide vital services to the Pilbara communities.

The venue for this great event has been kindly donated by the All Seasons Hotel in Karratha. The  Sports Bar is the venue within the Hotel and the night will start at 6.30pm and conclude at 10.30pm.

Tickets are available at our Karratha Branch at Karratha Centro and cost $10 each or a table of 10 for $100.

Pilbara and Kimberley Care Inc provide a variety of services to the community including domestic assistance, social support, home nursing, transportation and respite care.

Last financial year, Community CPS donated more than $1 million dollars back into local charities in South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, Wagga Wagga, Hunter Region and Western Australia through community initiatives such as fund raising, campaigns, community grants and donations.

 Michelle – WA State Manager

In support of the Wagga Wagga Mayor’s Flood Appeal, we will be holding a lunch-time sausage sizzle at our Wagga Mutual Branch in Peter Street this Friday 16^th March at 11am.

Don Jones, Regional President for St Vincent de Paul will be attending to show his support for the Flood Appeal and lend a hand with the BBQ.

The Community CPS Australia Foundation has kick-started the appeal with a donation of $50,000, and we are now urging staff, members and the general public to support all initiatives.

All funds raised will be dispersed locally to the Wagga and Coolamon community through the St Vincent De Paul Society.

If you are in the area drop by and see us!

^KG

Come and join us for morning tea and make a gold coin donation or purchase some of the cakes which have been kind donated by Wagga Mutual staff and members.

All funds raised will be donated to the flood appeal.

When – Monday 12th March from 10.00am

Where – Wagga Mutual Credit Union 141 Peter Street

We hope to see you!

^CS

We’ve also relocated our regional administrative office from Cessnock to Maitland which will allow our expert team of banking and finance specialists to better serve the needs of our local branch network, and ultimately our members, as we develop and roll out new products, services and continue reinvesting our profits to provide the most relevant and convenient banking options for our members.

Our business has been steadily increasing as we welcome new members to the credit union, so it was essential for us to expand and upgrade both our Cessnock and Glendale branches to provide the premium experience our members deserve.  The operating hours and friendly faces remain the same, just in a new-look branch which we’re confident all our members will enjoy visiting.

If you are in the area, drop in and see us.  

^Ray – General Manager of Distribution and Hunter local

We’ve sponsored our first guide dog and very proud to be associated with an organisation that provides such essential services to members of the local community, substantially improving their quality of life.

We know how hard Guide Dogs SA/NT work to provide this valuable service to people with vision impairment in the community and our staff are very proud to help with $25,000 in financial assistance. It costs more than $25,000 to raise and train each guide dog puppy as they undertake their intensive training.

Guide Dogs SA/NT don’t receive any government funding instead relying on support from the community and corporate partners. If you are interested in becoming a puppy sponsor, check out the Guide Dogs SA/NT website for more information, you can sponsor a dog for as little as $31.50 a month.

We are looking forward to the next 18 months as we watch “Eastwood” graduate from his intensive Guide Dog training and then partnered with a person in need.

 John – General Manager Eastwoods Group

A big thank you also to everyone who came out to my last fundraiser event this week at the Gawler cinema. Great turn out and we raised $465!!

It’s been a busy fundraising month -   Gawler and City Bake Sale’s, Aussie Day BBQ, Raffles, Casual Day, Movie night, family run day, morning teas and donations direct from the public. I couldn’t have done it without the help of my family, friends and colleagues at work.

So what now?

I leave for Fiji on the 25^th of Feb where I will have the opportunity to meet with fellow credit union employees, Fijian Credit Unions and the local communities to share experiences and help teach economic practices like saving & budgeting to local communities.

Thanks again everyone. I can’t wait to get to Fiji and make difference. 12 more sleeps! I’ll update everyone on how I went on my return.

^Angelique Joy

So, if you are in the city this Friday morning drop in and see us and sample some baked goods. All funds raised will go to the CUFA leadership Challenge.

Help me help empower communities to combat poverty.

When :-  Friday 10^th February 2012

Where:- Community CPS  Foyer,  44 Waymouth Street, Adelaide

Time:-  from 10am

Hope to see you!

^Angelique Joy

Most major organisations offer online or email statements/billing options.  If you haven’t already made the switch this is a really simple step you can take to reduce your impact on the environment. It’s amazing just how much paper is used to produce statements.

Ask your financial institution to switch you to online statements now.

1. It’s convenient! You can view or print your e-statements any time you choose.
2. It’s simple! You will receive an email when your e-statement is ready to view online.  
3. It’s fast! Your e-statement is available before paper statements get through snail mail.
4. It’s secure! Your e-statement will not be lost or stolen in the mail.
5. It’s environmentally friendly! Reduces paper waste.

We know we can all do more. Embrace the change and take your first and simple step towards reducing your paper consumption, register for eStatments today.

Ross

Environment Management System Committee Chair

Now there is an easier way to fundraise for your local not-for-profit club, group or charity- the Community Reward Account.

This account takes the average annual balance of all Community Reward Accounts nominating your club, group or charity as the beneficiary, and donates up to 1.5% of this balance directly to your registered organisation!

How to benefit:

1. Find out about becoming a recipient for the Community Reward Account*.
2. Register your club, group or charity as a recipient.
3. Encourage all of your members and supporters to open an account to support your club, group or charity.
4. At the end of each financial year the amount raised is deposited straight to your registered organisation.

What your supporters need to do:

1. Open a Community Reward Account.
2. Select your club, group or charity to receive the benefits.
3. Start saving!
4. Be happy knowing they are supporting their favourite club, group or charity.

We know it works:

Over the past few years many clubs, groups and charities have been recipients of this account with great success.  In 2011 approx. $150,000 was donated to registered organisations.

This could easily be your not-for-profit club, group or charity!

Luke – Product & Segment Analyst

I am holding a Fundraiser movie night in the coming weeks at the Gawler Cinema on Monday13^thof February.  So, if you’re in Adelaide or the Gawler region come along. It’s at 630pm for a 730pm start. The movie is the Descendants with George Clooney! Tickets cost $30 and must be purchased before the evening through myself at ajoy@communitycps.com.au

Come alone, with a friend or bring a group ! This is a great opportunity to catch up, see a great movie and help raise much needed funds http://www.facebook.com/events/222761897810695/?context=create

Thank you to everyone for their support. Hope to see you. ^AJ

Wagga Mutual in partnership with Xceler8 Fitness Centre, are proud to announce the winners of the 2011/2012 Wagga Mutual Credit Union Junior Sports Scholarship.

The program is designed to help local junior athletes aged 12 to 17 years take the next step in their chosen field of sport. Following the success of the inaugural program in 2010/2011, this year more than 100 scholarship applications were received.

First prize, a sponsorship package valued at $2,700 including an account at Wagga Mutual Credit Union with $1000, was awarded to Kaitlin Jeffries. The 17-year-old taekwondo specialist is a rising star who was recently selected to compete at the Taekwondo World Titles in Czechoslovakia.

The following scholarship winners also received sponsorship funds from Wagga Mutual to be used for their future sporting development:-

James Hay – athletics national champion, Jake Brooker – junior cyclist, Caleb Noble –local Ganmain triathlete and Andrew Emery – talented junior AFL footballer.

The program was an outstanding initiative that supports the development of local junior sporting talent. We are very proud to be associated with Xceler8 and to put our support behind the scholarship program. We are committed to helping the Wagga Wagga community grow and this program is one way we can do this, by offering some of our community’s most talented junior sportspeople a helping hand to pursue their sporting careers.

Congratulations to everyone and we wish you all every success in your future sporting endeavours.

Andrew – Wagga Mutual Regional Manager

To participate in the Leadership Challenge I need to fundraise $3,300.

The Leadership Challenge entails participating in over 100 volunteering hours with local Fijian communities, teaching sound economic practices to ensure these villages are self sustainable. Concepts such saving & budgeting are not widely understood in some communities, and my involvement will assist these locals with a positive economic future and ‘make them smile’.

As part of my fundraising I will be raffling off a BBQ, you can purchase a ticket at our Salisbury Branch.

All profits will be donated to CUFA & the Fijian Leadership Challenge.

Want to help online?

Please share, retweet or post this story to your facebook and spread the word. You can also donate securely online, donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.

Donate here!

Thankyou in advance for your generosity and assistance.

Angelique Joy

Since our partnership commenced in 2007 we have been able to purchase a car for RDNS through our foundation grant to help nurses get out to do their home visits and our staff have been volunteering each year to pack food hampers for disadvantaged families.

This year was no different with an amazing 400 Christmas hampers packed! A big thanks to all our staff involved!  ^VR

This blog and our facebook and Twitter accounts form what I’d like to call the ‘We Are Listening Network’, giving our members and the general public the opportunity to interact with us and keep connected with what is happening in our community.

Through this network you can also find out about the latest finance news, financial advice and information. It also is a platform to share with you the latest volunteer opportunities that you can participate in, to help your local community. Most importantly we are available to listen and have a chat about what is important to you.

Our values are about putting our members and clients first and we have a great team of committed people to ensure we provide the necessary level of support. We are part of the community and the community is part of us. So we don’t want this to be ‘just another corporate blog’. You will find contributors from all of the regions in which we operate covering all facets of our member owned organisation.

We believe in people empowerment and share of voice and pledge to treat everyone’s opinions with respect. View our community guidelines.

Our ‘We Are Listening Network’ is here for you between 9am and 5pm (Australian Central Time) Monday to Friday, so please join us for a chat. If you urgently need to get in touch with us outside these times or you require personal assistance call us or drop into one of our branches.

As the CEO I take great pleasure in launching the We Are Listening network. I hope it’s a place you’ll enjoy contributing to and sharing your opinion. The Community CPS Group is one of the largest customer owned mutual in Australia. It’s your organisation, your community, and we’re listening. ^Robert

The Challenge commenced with measuring the current household carbon footprint, and then worked through weekly challenges to reduce electricity, water, petrol and waste consumption.

The winner of the 12 week long challenge was Tully Vorobioff and his family, with a special mention to Alison Ludriks for her efforts throughout the challenge.

When – Saturday 10th December between 10am and 4pm

Who (charity partner or credit union) MIX 106.3FM Special Kids Xmas Party

ACT staff will be volunteering their time to ensure these kids have an enjoyable time this festive season.

Country Hope 

Staff at Wagga Mutual have been working in close partnership with Country Hope and recently hosted a gift appeal in support of Country Hope’s Kids Christmas Party.

The appeal saw locals drop off well over 100 gifts  at the local Wagga, Collamon and Ganmain branches for the Children’s Christmas party, which show cases the true sprit of locals in the Wagga & Riverina area.

Location:

Wellington Square Park, East Perth

Time:

11:30am – 2.30pm

The aim of the event was to raise enough funds to send all South Australian teen’s to Senior Camp in Sydney in 2012.

The Luncheon was hosted by Wayne Phillips with special guest Matt Cowdry. Other special guests included Chad Cornes, Dean Brogan, Brent Reilly, Michael Doughty and Bernie Vince. Camp Quality CEO, Simon Rowntree, thanked Community CPS for our continued support and effort of building awareness through our community partnership.

The day was a huge success and again raised just over $15,000! We would like to say a big thank you to everyone for your support, commitment and fantastic efforts with this community partnership!

You’ll still find the same great contributions here and we look forward to many more.

We hope to meet up with you online soon to join in on the conversation.

This month we have provided a Foundation grant of $19,000 to NYASL for three professional development programs for approximately 300 caseworkers as well as further development of their ongoing ‘Living Skills’ program provided to the youth.

The Living Skills program assists young people to successfully transition from supported care to independent living. The workshops cover organisational skills, decision making, financial accountability and goal setting around education and employment.

For more information visit their website.

Country Hope was founded in 2003 and is the region’s largest community based, family support organisation caring for children diagnosed with cancer and other life threatening illnesses. Country Hope provides financial, emotional and practical support to the families of these seriously ill children.

The funding will allow Country Hope to add a family room to its Blake Street centre, which supports more than 120 families with two or three children each year. Increasing numbers have made it challenging to accommodate the growing demand within the existing premises.

In addition to the $25,000 grant, Wagga Mutual Credit Union has committed to drive fundraising activities aimed at raising further funds for Country Hope’s new family room.

As the local arm of the Community CPS Foundation, the Wagga Wagga Regional Fund will distribute grants to non-profit organisations across Wagga and surrounding areas that make a positive environmental, economic and social contribution to the region.

Bosom Buddies ACT was established in 1995 as a non-profit organisation of volunteers who provide personal support to breast cancer patients and their families and supporters in the ACT and surrounding regions. All their volunteers have experienced breast cancer personally or through loved ones – and are committed to providing support to every person who is going through the breast cancer journey in their community.

Canberra has the highest rate of breast cancer reported in Australia. Our best defence against these rising statistics is to detect breast cancer early.

As part of a program of early detection, the Community CPS Foundation was pleased to provide a grant to Bosom Buddies for the production of the shower tags.

The shower tags inform women how to be aware of their breasts, how to detect any changes early, and provide a reminder in the shower to regularly check. The tags will be distributed to 15,000 individual women of all ages and to men.

The whole town becomes involved in the event, by making floats for the parade, putting up a stall or partaking in the King of the Mountain race.

Each year the Festival has a theme. This year it was celebrating 40 years, many of the float entries reflected the theme as a big birthday celebration. The community really gets involved in the street parade event with the event being a focal point for the children of the town.

This year United Community’s Tom Price branch joined the parade with our Junior Saver mascot, SuperBug. This went down a treat with the children who lined up for a balloon and sweet from the big green bug. The motor cross and BMX bikes were also impressive as were the school floats and pony club displays.

The funds were collected from a 67-strong car cruise from Meadow Springs to Fremantle, with members of the public also coming down to donate.

Congratulations to our staff at Mandurah on their fantastic efforts!

Community CPS

For 40 years, Lifeline Canberra has been part of a national network offering telephone counselling to the people of Canberra and the surrounding region. Counselling is possible because of the dedication of some 200 trained volunteer telephone counsellors who fill shifts to ensure that the phone will be answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

As part of our fundraising activities with Lifeline, we became the major sponsor of their recent Willy Wonka Gala Ball held at the Hotel Realm on Saturday 13 August with over 500 guests in attendance. The ball was themed entirely around the movie classic “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”.

A highlight of the night was the guests opening their Community CPS chocolate bars in the hope of finding the ‘Golden Ticket’ with the prize being a $500 hamper. The event was a great success with over $60,000 being raised on the night!

The objective for this initiative is to obtain a high level of blood donations for Australian Red Cross – as winter proves a challenging time for them due to a higher level of illnesses while the demand for blood donations remain strong.

We were joined in the challenge by Police Credit Union and Credit Union SA, together we have assisted the Australian Red Cross enormously.

Some quick facts:

• 1 in 3 Australians will need blood in their lifetime but only 1 in 30 donates,
• 34% of all donated blood is used for cancer and blood related diseases,
• Every blood donation can save 3 lives.

Call the Red Cross on 13 14 95 to become a donor today!

This volunteering opportunity for staff follows the success of Arbor Day (25 staff and family members volunteered) and is part of our community partnership with Greening Australia we commenced in May 2011.

Our partnership with the Centre kicked off with a $5,000 Foundation Grant in late 2010 for horse related matters for their 17 horses providing therapeutic riding services to people with a range of disabilities from across the Hunter.

They were recently able to purchase 10 specialist riding helmets with the $656 provided by Companion through our Casual for Community fundraising days and the Life Member Movie night fundraising from late last year. It is great to see these funds being put to good use in purchasing important equipment.

Thank you to everyone who assisted in raising the funds over the Casual Days for Riding for the Disabled in Raymond Terrace & Lower Hunter. It is very much appreciated by the people who benefit from the support.

The Credit Union Christmas Pageant is not only an icon to all South Australians – it is also an important sponsorship commitment for Community CPS. It enables us to give something back to the community as well as associate ourselves with South Australia’s most loved event.

The person chosen for the position of Pageant Queen must have some very special qualities as it’s an important role as spokesperson for credit unions.

Amy and our Pageant Prince Josh are looking forward to visiting a number of regional areas throughout South Australia to help bring the Christmas spirit to schools, libraries and special needs centres.

Both Amy and Josh have demonstrated a passion and commitment for the Pageant and the credit union movement and we congratulate them both.

To find out more about the Pageant visit www.cupageant.com.au and we’ll see you on Pageant Day – Saturday 12 November!

For more than 10 years Wagga Mutual has proudly supported the NSW Yard Dog Championships at the Show and we are looking forward to this year’s event.

We encourage our members to come along to the Show which features all the regular competitions and classes as well as the new Great Ganmain Pie Eating Contest, a motorcross stunt demonstration and a fantastic fireworks finale.

We hope to see you there! For more information visit their website.