| As a Member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative, Mazuma Credit Union will uphold its fundamental responsibility to actively serve our field of membership, and as appropriate, the community in which they live.
We are committed to our mission of being a provider of high quality financial services and education aimed at improving our Members’ financial well-being. Products and services are the means, but financial security is the end goal. We will help educate our Members so that they may make wise financial decisions for themselves.
We will look for better ways to serve the interests of underserved portions of our Member and potential member base. We will seek opportunities to communicate and demonstrate the unique role that member-owned financial cooperatives play in our society, so that our Members, potential Members, legislators, regulators, and the community at large understand our differences.
All of this will be consistent with our Credit Union principles of “Not For Profit, Not For Charity, But For Service,” and will represent good business practices that ensure the financial strength of our Credit Union on behalf of our Members.
Annually, as part of our business planning process, we will assess whether our service and corporate culture are in alignment with this Statement of Commitment of Service to Members
Section 1: Service
to Members
Mazuma Credit Union provides the following programs and services to improve the economic and social well being of Members and potential Members and to return financial value to our Members. All of these offerings are surrounded by the Mazuma Experience to make using our services and products what each Member needs and wants.
Current
Services:
| 1. |
Money
Bunny Club - Youth membership club targeted at children ages 0-12. Promotes savings and good money management for youth through savings incentives, offers special educational fun through quarterly activities and a quarterly newsletter. (Max, the Money Bunny, is our mascot.) |
| 2. |
fyi
Only Club - Targets youths between 13-18. Teaches sound investment skills and the wise use of credit through a quarterly newsletter and seminars. Members between 16 – 18 receive brass magazine |
| 3. |
FREE Checking | Classic Checking provides Members with a free checking option and no minimum balance requirements. |
| 4. |
MEMBERS
Financial Services Program - An investment program that offers to Members financial and investment services such as mutual funds, annuities, stocks, etc. A representative on site at the Main Office services all branch locations. |
| 5. |
Mortgage
Loans, Including Non-Conforming Loans - Provides all Members with virtually any mortgage product and online, phone or in person application processes. Servicing is retained on all loans. Title and closing is provided at all Mazuma locations. Enables some Members who might not qualify for a traditional mortgage loan because of some credit problems or down payment requirements, to obtain a mortgage loan. |
| 6. |
Share
Secured Loans - Enables Members to establish
or re-establish credit. |
| 7. |
Special
CD Programs - Young Investors’ CD, Wealth Builder CD, Jump Up CD, and Deposit CD offer special features targeted to young Members, small savers, and to Members who seek an alternative to the volatility of the stock market. |
| 8. |
Check Cashing Service at Low Monthly Fee - Offers unlimited check cashing for Members who do limited business with the Credit Union at a low $5 a month fee. |
| 9. |
Visa
Gold & Platinum Card Programs - Targeted to higher income, high credit quality Members at low interest rates, in addition to Visa Classic program -- all offered without an annual fee. |
| 10. |
Low Cost VISA Gift Cards - these cards can be used in lieu of traveler’s checks for travel cash as well as gifts at any location that accepts VISA cards. Charges for these cards are substantially less than comparable bank-issued cards. |
| 11. |
Surcharge-Free
ATMs- 19 Mazuma ATMs provided at 11 locations, all surcharge free. Mazuma membership in the CO-OP network also makes over 25,000 other surcharge-free ATMs available nationwide. |
| 12. |
Free
SMARTLINE - Audio response enables Members to transact business conveniently from home, work or cell phones. |
| 13. |
Online
Banking - Online Teller offers Members the ability to transact business from home or office and includes bill payment free with eStatements. |
| 14. |
Wireless
Banking - specially formatted online screens for use with cellular phones. |
| 15. |
Excess Share Insurance - Provides Members with up to $350,000 in deposit insurance. |
| 16. |
Branch Offices - Located in Gladstone, Brush Creek corridor, Raymore, Lee’s Summit (2), and at four federal government sites. |
| 17. |
Credit & Wealth Builder Programs - Helps with credit and savings challenges. |
| 18. |
Financial Counselor Services - Free service offered to all Mazuma Members and non-Member groups (on request). Service includes counseling on budgeting, saving, credit repair and basic personal financial education. |
| 19. |
XtraCash Unsecured Loans - an alternative to payday loans at a better rate and terms. |
| 20. |
Business Services - Mazuma offers business services including a broad range of lending, deposit and transaction accounts. This includes SBA loans, merchant card processing, as well as education online and in-person to support success for the business owner. |
| 21. |
Educated Investor - full-featured financial education website for everything from basic budgeting and checkbook maintenance to sophisticated investment strategies. |
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Section
2: Member Education
Mazuma Credit Union is committed to Member education and social responsibility to enhance our Members’ and potential Members’ lives and financial “well-being,” as well as to promote credit union uniqueness, philosophy, and values.
Current
Programs:
| 1. |
Consumer
Credit Counseling Services (CCCS) - A CCCS Representative
is on-site five days a week to provide counseling
services to Members conveniently and at no cost. |
| 2. |
Web site - Contains valuable information
about Mazuma's products and services, financial
advice, and provides links to investment advice
and financial calculators. |
| 3. |
SEG Lunch & Learn Sessions - Educational
topics are presented annually to employees of selected
SEGs and government agencies, with lunch provided. |
| 4. |
Internal & External Newsletters - Provides
educational information to Members and employees
on a regular basis, including newsletters geared
toward our young Members. |
| 5. |
MEMBERS Financial Services Seminars - Investment
and other related seminars are provided by a representative
of MEMBERS Financial Services on-site. |
| 6. |
AutoSmart - Members can research new and used car prices, both retail and wholesale, loan options and used car inventories prior to buying a car in order to find the best vehicle and negotiate the best price. |
| 7. |
Billboards, Brochures, On-Hold Messages, Newspaper
Ads, Media Releases - Geared to inform and educate
Members and potential Members about Mazuma's products,
services and uniqueness. |
| 8. |
Xtra Dividends Newsletter - Quarterly publication to inform Members of Mazuma’s latest products services and upcoming events such as board elections, new locations or services. |
| 9. |
Welcome Center - Demonstration areas to help Members understand how to use electronic service delivery mechanisms are provided at most locations. |
| 10. |
Lobby Video - A video service to provide Mazuma infomercials as well as news and sports to Members during wait time. |
| 11. |
Financial Counselor Programs/Outreach - Free service offered to all Mazuma Members and non-Members
on request. Service includes counseling on budgeting,
saving, credit repair and basic personal financial
education. |
Section
3: Involvement/Governance
Mazuma
Credit Union will endeavor to preserve the credit union
democratic principles, including demographic representation
and volunteer participation in Credit Union activities.
Current
Programs:
| 1. |
Board
Elections - Board member elections are held by ballot box and an online ballot process to encourage wide participation by Members. |
| 2. |
Nominating Committee - The Board Nominating Committee is comprised of five Members, and normally three are existing Members of the Board or Supervisory Committee and two are at-large Members. This composition invites Member participation into the election process. |
| 3. |
Board Nominations -Xtra Dividends is used to solicit membership interest in running for the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee screens applicants, and nominates the best qualified to be placed on the ballot. The Nominating Committee strives to ensure that Members have a choice in the election process. |
| 4. |
Annual Meeting - Members are encouraged to
attend their annual meeting to hear the reports
of the officers and the final election results. |
| 5. |
Volunteer Board - The Board and Supervisory Committee all volunteer their time and commitment without benefit of any payment. |
| 6. |
Volunteer Training - Board and Supervisory Committee members are encouraged to attend all Chapter and League functions to become informed about the credit union system and issues. They are also encouraged to attend one national credit union conference annually to obtain a broader perspective of credit union issues. All volunteers agree to complete at least one of the Volunteer Achievement Program tracks each year. |
| 7. |
Political Activism - The Credit Union Board, management and staff recognize their roles as legislative advocates for Members to protect our democratic and operating principles. As such, the Credit Union encourages on-going participation in lobbying efforts, election campaigns, and fund-raising efforts for political action locally and in state races. |
Section
4: Diversity
Mazuma Credit Union recognizes the value of demographic diversity in staff as well as in volunteers, and will strive to bring people of diverse backgrounds and experiences into leadership and other roles at the Credit Union.
Current programs:
| 1. |
Equal
Employment Opportunity - Mazuma actively seeks to fill vacancies by hiring qualified candidates without regard to race, creed, religion, or socio-economic status, seeking to represent the community in which we operate. |
| 2. |
Diversity Training - All employees receive diversity training during orientation. Managers and volunteers generally attend Diversity training annually. All team members sign a form annually that they will support non-discrimination practices. |
| 3. |
Member Market Segmentation - Market data is used to help determine the demographic makeup of Mazuma’s Members so that products and services may be specifically targeted to meet their needs. |
| 4. |
Employee Diversification - Efforts to ensure diversification of Mazuma’s employee base, including its management team, to better mirror its membership and community, are ongoing. |
| 5. |
Affirmative Action Plan - Plan is reviewed annually to ensure diversification in recruitment and selection. |
| 6. |
TDD Phone - A telephone device for the deaf is used in the phone center. |
| 7. |
Flex Scheduling Hours - are offered if feasible to help employees who are parents, students, etc. |
| 8. |
Web site Employment Applications & College
& High School Recruitment efforts help attract a diverse work force. |
Section
5: Commitment to the Credit Union Movement
Mazuma Credit Union will work to build and strengthen a unique credit union movement by providing financial and in-kind resources throughout the credit union community, and by actively advocating the credit union difference at all levels of government and in other appropriate public forums.
Current
Programs:
| 1. |
Leadership
Roles - Mazuma’s Board of Directors supports Management Team’s participation in leadership roles within the Chapter, League, and CUNA. |
| 2. |
Shared Branch System - Mazuma participates in the League’s Shared Branch System, and operates all its facilities as shared branches for other participating credit unions, at no cost to those Members using it. |
| 3. |
Surcharge-Free ATMs - Mazuma’s ATMs are available to Members without a surcharge. Mazuma participates in the CO-OP surcharge-free network. |
| 4. |
Political Activism - Participation in lobbying efforts, election campaigns, and fund-raising efforts for political action for credit union supporters is encouraged of management, team and volunteers. Educating legislators about the credit union difference is a major focus of these efforts |
| 5. |
International Credit Union Day - Newsletters, news releases, flyers, posters, and food are all used to increase Members’ awareness of the credit union difference on International Credit Union Day. |
| 6. |
Internships - Paid summer internships are provided to local students to acquaint them with a credit union environment and to encourage them to look to credit unions as future employment opportunities. |
| 7. |
Staff Education - Continuing education through STAR and MERIT are offered to keep the team knowledgeable about the credit union difference. In addition, Mazuma pays for post-high school education so that employees may further their careers in the Credit Union. |
| 8. |
Filene Research Institute - Mazuma is a “Leadership Circle Member” of the Filene Research Institute and annually provides monetary support for research projects of interest to credit unions. |
| 9. |
PAC Fundraisers - Mazuma hosts lunch or breakfast with legislators for team members, volunteers, and Members to attend with a PAC contribution. |
Section
6: Public Service/Corporate Citizenship
Mazuma
Credit Union will strive to be an active partner in
the community and field of membership, and will work
to enhance their economic and social well-being.
Current
Programs:
| 1. |
Children's Miracle Network - Mazuma participates
in the League's fund-raising efforts for CMN. |
| 2. |
JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) - Mazuma participates each year in the JDRF Walk-for-a-cure and general fundraising for this charity. |
| 3. |
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer - Mazuma engages in fundraising efforts for this charity each year. |
| 4. |
Women's Health - Mazuma supports the Red Dress fundraising effort annually. |
| 5. |
Greater Kansas City Major Taylor Foundation - Mazuma supports this entity which raises funds for bikes and related programs for underprivileged youth. |
| 6. |
Community Outreach - Mazuma has a team committee that coordinates training at various schools for financial literacy. |
| 7. |
Academy of Finance - Mazuma team members participate in the Westport, University Academy and Bishop Ward High School AOF for students interested in a career in the financial services industry. |
| 8. |
Flu Shots - Each year flu shots are partially reimbursed for team and volunteers. |
| 9. |
Chambers of Commerce - Mazuma is a member of the Greater Kansas City Chamber, the Lee’s Summit Chamber, the Northland Chamber, the South KC Chamber, Raymore Chamber and the Black Chamber. The Credit Union participates in many chamber sponsored community events. |
| 10. |
Breast Cancer Awareness - Mazuma participates in the Lee’s Denim Day and donates money to breast cancer awareness. |
| 11. |
Brush Creek Community Partners - Mazuma is a member of BCCP and sits on a number of committees. Mazuma’s President is the current President of the BCCP Board of Directors. |
| 12. |
Voter Registration Table - Mazuma typically hosts voter registration tables in August and September in election years. |
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