Giving Love to Michelle’s Love

We’ve pretty much wrapped up our 2022 activities, but on January 5th we had one last important thing to do. It may have been raining outside, but inside it was all sunshine, as members of the team presented a $23,522.47 to Michelle’s Love.

Michelle’s Love is a great local organization focusing on providing support to single parents who are going through cancer treatment. Michelle’s Love aims at helping make the life of cancer patients just a little bit less stressful, by doing things like making sure mortgage and car payments are made.

Big Check Donation

Every year the credit union picks a local charity to support. Employees can chose to have a portion of their salary automatically donated. In addition, we’ll have raffles, contests, and other events to drive support.

This year, our employees elected to support local foodbanks. WCU employees already volunteer to help prevent food insecurity, and know the need the food banks provide for our communities.

December Statement Insert

OUR 56TH ANNUAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 7TH AT 6:30pm
ERLENE DARBY LEARNING CENTER | 49249 HWY 30 | WESTPORT, OR

The Board of Directors has approved three nominees for three positions on the Board of Directors from applications submitted by members. Their names and biographical information are included below.*

WILLIAM “BILL” DEJAGER: INCUMBANT MEMBER SINCE 2010 • BIRKENFELD, OR
I am a lifelong resident of Oregon. I attended Clackamas High School, Oregon State University and I earned a PHD in Economics from Portland State University. I am married to Sheila, a high school classmate. We have two daughters and three granddaughters. I am retired from the Air Force and Air National Guard. Sheila is a retired CPA. We are enjoying retirement, tending our garden and active in volunteer activities. In the past I have served on the Mist-Birkenfeld Rural Fire Protection
District Board, the Upper Nehalem Watershed Council Board and the Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District Board. I appreciate having had the opportunity to represent you on the Wauna CU Board these past years. I look forward to serving again. Thank you.

ROBIN CLARKE MEMBER SINCE 1997 • RAINIER, OR
As a longtime member of the credit union and current volunteer on the board, I would welcome the opportunity to continue to serve the membership and community. I grew up in Clatskanie, graduated from CHS and have a Bachelors in Business Information Systems from Linfield University. My husband Marc and myself have been running a family contract logging and log hauling business
for 30 years now. We have two grown daughters, three grandsons, and one granddaughter. We live locally in the Rainier area. I am a past board member of the Rainier Drainage district and welcome the opportunity to serve, and improve our communities. I am interested in continuing to serve on the Wauna Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. It is an opportunity to serve my community in the spirt of volunteering. I believe that my experience and education with public service provides a unique skill set that can be beneficial to credit union members and the community in which I live. As a frequent member, I have always been greeted
by friendly staff, helped with all types of financial transactions, and given advice. I would like to take this opportunity to provide some of my time to help those employees continue to provide that service while encouraging other community members to share my same experience.

ERICK HOLSEY MEMBER SINCE 2001 • CLATSKANIE, OR
I am interested in continuing to serve on the Wauna Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. It is an opportunity to serve my community in the spirt of volunteering. I believe that my experience and education with public service provides a unique skill set that can be beneficial to credit union members and the community in which I live. As a frequent member, I have always been greeted by friendly staff, helped with all types of financial transactions, and given advice. I would like to take this opportunity to provide some of my time to help those employees continue to provide that service while encouraging other community members to share my same experience.

5.12% APY*
on a 13-month saves certificate with one time bump-your-rate option
*APY: Annual Percentage Yield. This special certificate account is open to new money only. The published APY is accurate as of December 19, 2022. Members may contact the Credit Union for further information on applicable fees and terms.

*An election will not be conducted by ballot, and there will be no nominations from the floor at the annual meeting when the number of nominees equals
the number of positions to be filled, which is currently the situation. Any member who desires to run for the board may do so now only by a nomination by
petition signed by 270 credit union members in good standing 18 years of age or older. An application may be requested by calling 1-800-773-3236, Ext 3124.
Completed applications may be mailed to ATTN: Governance Committee P.O. Box 67 Clatskanie, OR 97016 or delivered in person to any branch. Petition
applications must be received by close of business on January 21, 2023. Federally insured by NCUA.

REUNIÓN ANUAL Y AVISO PARA LOS NOMINADOS DE LA JUNTA NUESTRA

56ª REUNIÓN ANUAL SE LLEVARÁ A CABO EL 7 DE MARZO A LAS 6:30pm
ERLENE DARBY LEARNING CENTER | 49249 HWY 30 | WESTPORT, OR
La Junta Directiva ha aprobado tres nominados para tres puestos en la Junta Directiva de las solicitudes presentadas por los miembros. Sus nombres e información biográfica se incluyen a continuación.*

WILLIAM “BILL” DEJAGER: INCUMBENTE MIEMBRO DESDE 2010 • BIRKENFELD, OR
He vivido en Oregon toda mi vida. Asistí a la Preparatoria Clackamas (CHS), la Universidad Estatal de Oregon y obtuve un doctorado en Economía de la Universidad Estatal de Portland. Estoy casado con Sheila, una compañera de preparatoria. Tenemos dos hijas y tres nietas. Soy jubilado de la Fuerza Aérea y la Guardia Nacional Aérea de los Estados Unidos. Sheila es una contadora pública jubilada. Actualmente estamos dedicados a disfrutar de nuestra jubilación, cuidar nuestro huerto e involucrarnos activamente en actividades de voluntariado. Hace unos años, presté servicios en la Junta del Distrito de Protección contra Incendios Rurales de Mist-Birkenfeld, la Junta del Consejo de la Cuenca de Upper Nehalem y la Junta del Distrito de Conservación del Suelo y el Agua de Columbia. Agradezco inmensamente haber tenido la oportunidad de representarlos en la Junta Directiva de Wauna estos últimos años. Espero poder tener la oportunidad de servir nuevamente. Muchas gracias.

ROBIN CLARKE – MIEMBRO DESDE 1997 • RAINIER, OR
Como miembro de esta cooperativa de ahorro y crédito desde hace mucho tiempo y voluntaria actual en la Junta directiva, agradecería la oportunidad de continuar sirviendo a los miembros y comunidad. Crecí en Clatskanie, me gradué de la Preparatoria Clatskanie (CHS) y tengo una licenciatura en Sistemas de Información Comercial de la Universidad de Linfield. Mi esposo Marc y yo llevamos 30 años administrando un negocio familiar de tala de árboles y transporte de troncos. Tenemos 2 hijas adultas, tres nietos y una nieta. Actualmente vivimos en la zona de Rainier. Serví como miembro de la Junta del Distrito de Rainier Drainage y me encantaría tener la oportunidad de servir y mejorar nuestras comunidades.

ERICK HOLSEY MIEMBRO DESDE 2001 • CLATSKANIE, OR
Me encantaría continuar sirviendo en la Junta Directiva de Wauna Federal Credit Union. Es una oportunidad de servir a mi comunidad por medio del espíritu de voluntariado. Siento que mi experiencia y educación en el servicio público, me brindan un conjunto de habilidades único que puede ser beneficioso para los miembros de las cooperativas de ahorro/crédito y la comunidad en la que vivo. Como miembro frecuente, siempre he sido recibido por un personal amable, ayudado con todo tipo de transacciones financieras y consejos. Me gustaría aprovechar esta oportunidad para brindar parte de mi tiempo en ayudar a esos empleados a continuar brindando ese servicio amable y animar a otros miembros de la comunidad a tener una experiencia similar a la mía.

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*Las elecciones no se llevarán a cabo mediante votación y no habrá nominaciones por parte del público en la reunión anual cuando el número de nominados sea igual al número de puestos por cubrir, que es la situación actualmente. Cualquier miembro que desee postularse para la Junta puede hacerlo ahora solo mediante una nominación por petición firmada por 270 miembros de la cooperativa de ahorro y crédito que tengan al día 18 años de edad o más. Se puede solicitar una solicitud llamando al 1-800-773-3236, Ext 3124. Las solicitudes completadas pueden enviarse por correo a ATTN: Governance Committee P.O. Box 67 Clatskanie, OR 97016 o entregado en persona en cualquier sucursal. Las solicitudes completadas deben recibirse antes del cierre de operaciones el 21 de Enero de 2023.

Thank You

Every year, our CEO Robert Blumberg composes his thoughts on where we as a credit union our heading, and what he thinks about when working to ensure Wauna Credit Union will be the local choice offering top-notch services to the people who call Columbia River communities home.

Dear Friends,

Every year, I extend a simple thank you to you, our member-owners. It’s something I look forward to a great deal, because without you, we wouldn’t be here. Wauna Credit Union is grateful that you have joined the credit union movement, and helped us keep your money local.

As some of you may know, I was born and raised in South Africa. Experiencing the new traditions of my adopted country over the last 40 years has been incredibly rewarding. Thanksgiving is one of those traditions I hold quite dear. As I gathered with my family last week, I thought about how Thanksgiving is not just expressing your thanks, but making the implicit promise to those at the table with you, that you will be in their corner no matter what. Today I make that promise to you. The future is unknown, but no matter what happens, Wauna Credit Union will continue to be here for our members.

The credit union is here to help our members with whatever they need. That means if you’re looking to take advantage of the rising dividends on deposit accounts, or if you want a loan for a purchase or to consolidate debt, we are here. We promise to always treat people as individuals, because that’s what you are.

Again, thank you for being a member-owner of Wauna Credit Union, Remember, we are here to serve our members, our friends, our communities, and our family.
 
Happy Thanksgiving!

Robert Blumberg signature
Robert Blumberg, President and CEO
Wauna Credit Union

Support Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Month

What motivates you? For WCU employee Brianna it’s helping those who suffer from Type 1 Diabetes. Those sufferers include her 8-year-old daughter. “Like most people I didn’t know anything about diabetes until I was directly impacted,” said Brianna. “When we found out my daughter was impacted, we had so many emotions going through us at once. We felt bad that she had been having all these symptoms and didn’t know what was happening, worried about the future, and guilty thinking it was something we had done.”

That’s a common misconception. Type One Diabetes has nothing to do with diet, or lifestyle, or anything else a parent or kid has done, including eating a lot of candy or juice, and unfortunately there’s no current cure. Insulin doesn’t prevent Type 1 Diabetes. An insulin pump is needed to manage blood-sugar level to keep people with diabetes alive.

Just some of the insulin pumps needed

For Brianna one of the most frustrating things is how hard it can be to manage. “It’s not a one plus one equals two situation. There are so many different factors that go into blood sugar, that my daughter can do the same thing she did the day before, and still suffer from low blood sugar,” she said.

Diabetes is a worldwide problem. There are over 422 million people with diabetes according to the World Health Organization, and it contributes directly to 1.5 million deaths a year, and that number is growing. The CDC estimates that over 21 percent of adults with diabetes don’t even realize it.

With children it can be equally as difficult. Teachers are often the first to recognize the symptoms, since they see so many children every day.

So what are the indicators? There’s many, but the common signs are:

  • Sudden strange behavior (acting “drunk”)
  • Breath that smells fruity, sweet, or like wine
  • Extreme drowsiness or lack of energy
  • Ongoing, intense thirst
  • Grunting while breathing
  • Heavy breathing
  • Huge appetite
  • Sudden vision changes
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Urinating more often (infants and toddlers may have more wet diapers than usual)
  • Difficulty breathing

November is American Diabetes Awareness Month. Visit the American Diabetes Foundation to learn more, including how you can help.

September Statement Insert – Annual Meeting

CALL FOR BOARD NOMINATIONS & NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

OUR 56TH ANNUAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 7TH AT 6:30pm
AT THE ERLENE DARBY LEARNING CENTER | 49249 HWY 30 | WESTPORT, OR

Candidate applications are now available for our volunteer Board of Directors. Apply by picking up an application at your local branch, by mail, or by visiting waunafcu.org/about/annual-elections. Please submit your completed application by close of business on [Monday, November 8th]. You are welcome to deliver applications in person to any branch or by mail: Governance Committee, PO Box 67, Clatskanie, OR 97016. Please contact gcomm@waunafcu.org with any questions.
There will be an option to attend this meeting virtually.

DIRECTIVA Y AVISO DE NUESTRA REUNIÓN ANUAL

NUESTRA REUNIÓN ANUAL SE LLEVARÁ A CABO 7 DE MARZO DE 2023 A LAS 6:30pm ERLENE DARBY LEARNING CENTER | 49249 HWY 30 | WESTPORT, OR
CONVOCATORIA DE NOMINACIONES DE NUESTRA JUNTA

Las solicitudes para candidatos ya están disponibles para esta junta directiva voluntaria. Las solicitudes estan disponibles en su succursal local o’por correo y tamiben visitando la website de waunafcu.org/about/annual-elections. Envíe su solicitud, antes del cierre de operaciones el [8 de Noviembre]. Personalmente o por correo en nuestras surcrsales. Lugar, PO Box 67, Clatskanie, OR 97016. Si tiene preguntas por favor de comunicarse cone al comite de Gobierno: gcomm@waunafcu.org.
Habrá una opción para asistir a esta reunión virtualmente.

Fraud in the City

WCU Member consultant Jaleese could tell right away that the member walking into the Astoria branch was under a lot of stress. “Sometimes you can just tell,” she said. “Once he got to the counter, I knew immediately why.”

The member was looking to get a cashier’s check for almost $10,000 in order to post bail for his grandson in California. Something about the story didn’t sound right to Jaleese. As part of her training, she studied the different types of financial scams, and the member’s story had some of the indicators of a classic fraud. There was a ton of urgency placed on the member, after all his grandson was sitting in a jail cell, and bail can only be paid with cash or a cash substitute, that means once it’s handed over, there’s no way to get the money back.

Jaleese was suspicious. She talked with the member and he agreed to let her try to find out a bit more. He told her the name of the county in California he was told the jail was in, and Jaleese went to work. She contacted the county, as well as multiple local bail bonds services. None of the places she called were able to confirm the nephew was lodged in a local jail.

Unable to confirm any of the details the member was told, Jaleese was pretty sure it was fraud. She went over her suspicions with the member, and he agreed to contact his grandson, and the grandson’s parents before getting the cashier’s check. Later in the day, Jaleese got the call she was expecting. The grandson was fine. The member was relieved, and more importantly, he didn’t lose his hard-earned money.

“It really bothers me that people pray on other people by putting them in a stressful situation,” Jaleese said. “I was really happy to hear everything was okay. The great thing about working for a local company is we can take the time to make sure we’re doing everything we can to help people. Usually that means helping them get something they need, but saving somebody that much money really made my day.”

2022 Scholarships

There are milestones, and then there are MILESTONES. This year we awarded $12,500 in scholarships to deserving students. That means we’ve now granted more than $400,000 in scholarships to area students.

The 10 students from seven area high schools and three college recipients come from all walks of life, plan to start a variety of careers, and are unique in many different ways. They do have one thing in common though, they’ve all earned their scholarship. WCU CEO Robert Blumberg said it best “There are so many qualified and intelligent young people out there. It’s always inspiring to read through their journeys.”

WCU’s scholarship recipients are selected based on a variety of factors, including scholastic achievements, community involvement, extracurricular activities, and financial need. WCU services a large population of low-income families and so the need for financial assistance in the community is high.

The 2022 WCU Scholarship recipients are:

Andrew Miller – Astoria

Kegan Rascoe – Astoira

Alex Tapia – Warrenton

Josiah Jones – Clatskanie

Wyatt Macdonald – Astoria

Jessica Butcher – Vernonia

Grace Tallman – Clatskanie

Kaitlin Dahla – Scappoose

Caleb Bostic – Clatskanie

Delfina Acfalle – Astoria

June Statement Insert – HELOCs

Let Your Home Pick up the Bill
Whatever You’re Dreaming, A HELOC Can Make it Happen
Plus get a $50 Gift Card*
Wauna Credit Union
24/7 Lending
NMLS #421867
waunafcu.org
800-773-3326
*Upon loan approval, current and new members who open a new home equity line of credit will receive a $50 gift card to a home improvement store of their choice. Retailers will vary by location and availability. These terms are subject to change without notice. Rates & financing are offered based on applicant’s credit worthiness and term of the loan. This promotional offer ends on June 30, 2022. Membership with Wauna CU required to be eligible for this special offer. Federally insured by NCUA.
Equal Housing Lender

Image - Text Above

Deja Que Tu Casa Pague La Cuenta
Todo Lo Que Has Soñado, Un HELOC Lo Puede Hacer Realidad
Recibe una tarjeta de regalo de $50*
Wauna Credit Union
Préstamos 24/7
NMLS #421867
waunafcu.org
800-773-3236
*Sobre aprobación de tu préstamo, todos los miembros que abren una nueva línea de crédito de capital para viviendas van a recibir una tarjeta de regalo de $50 para una tienda de renovaciones en tu área. Los minoristas varían según la ubicación y la disponibilidad. Estos términos están sujetos a cambios sin previo aviso. Las tasas y el financiamiento se ofrecen en función de la solvencia crediticia del solicitante y el plazo del préstamo. La promoción termina el 30 de junio, 2022. Necesitas ser miembro con Wauna Credit Union para ser elegible para esta oferta especial. Asegurado federal por NCUA.
Equal Housing Opportunity

Image - Text Above

March Statement Insert

Let Your Home Pick Up the Bill
Whatever you’re dreaming, a HELOC can make it happen.
+get a $50 gift card*
*Upon loan approval, current and new members who open a new home equity line of credit will receive a $50 gift card to a home improvement store of their choice. Retailers will vary by location and availability. These terms are subject to change without notice. Rates & financing are offered based on applicant’s credit worthiness and term of the loan. This promotional offer ends on June 30, 2022. Membership with Wauna CU required to be eligible for this special offer.

24/7 LENDING
NMLS 421867 | Federally Insured by NCUA
Equal Housing Lender

Chose Your Own Loan Adventure
no payments for 90 days +$100
or
1% cash reward +30 days no payments*

Promotion Special Terms: Upon loan approval, current and new members who refinance a qualifying loan currently financed elsewhere to Wauna Credit Union become eligible to choose one of two Loan Reward Promotion offers: Option #1. An immediate Cash Reward equal to 1% of the approved loan value, plus 30-Days No Payment (interest will continue to accrue during the No Payment period); Or, Option #2. An immediate $100 Cash Reward, plus 90-Days No Payments (interest will continue to accrue during the 90-day period). Qualifying Loans: Auto, Truck, SUV, Van, Motor home, trailer, boat, watercraft, motorcycles, side-by-sides, quads, and unsecured loans such as home furnishings, tuition, personal loans, etc. Minimum loan amount to qualify for special terms: $2,000; Maximum Reward allowed is $500 per qualifying loan. These special Reward terms are subject to change without notice. Rates & financing are offered based on applicant’s credit worthiness and term of the loan. This promotional offer ends on June 30, 2022. Note: the promotional cash reward paid to a member may be forfeit if the loan balance is paid in full within 180-days of the loan funding date.
Membership with Wauna CU required to be eligible for this special offer.


Free Financial Education

One of the things that makes Wauna Credit Union special is our Mission to provide opportunities for our members to build their financial well-being. If you live, work, attend school or worship in Clatsop County, Columbia County, Western Washington County, or Pacific County Washington, we want to help you realize your financial goals.

That’s why providing free, easy to use, financial education is so important to us. Our partner BALANCE is offering absolutely free webinars on a different topic each month. The March webinar topic is one we get a lot, and that’s what makes up your credit report. Learn the ingredients that go into making the cake that is your credit score, and just as importantly, what you can do to get your score higher.

MARCH — SOLVING THE MYSTERY OF CREDIT REPORTS Credit reports and credit scores hold a lot of power—they can help you buy that first home or limit your financial opportunities. This session provides an overview of credit reporting agencies, credit scoring, disputing inaccuracies, improving credit scores, and dealing with identity theft and fraud.  

  Session 1: Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (PST)
Share link: bit.ly/SolvingMysteryofCreditRprt  

  Session 2: Thursday, March 17, 2022
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (PST)
Share link: bit.ly/SolvingMysteryofCreditRprt    
 
APRIL — ON THE ROAD TO RICHES: THE BASICS OF SAVING AND INVESTING Investing is one of the smartest things consumers can do to secure a brighter financial future. Every investor has different goals, risk tolerance, and cash flow, which will impact savings and investment choices. Participants will learn about savings strategies and tactics, investment tools, and how to develop an investment portfolio that works with their lifestyle and budget.  

  Session 1: Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (PST)
Share link: bit.ly/OnTheRoadToRiches

  Session 2: Thursday, April 21, 2022
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (PST)
Share link: bit.ly/OnTheRoadToRiches