Best Practices, Volume IX, 2007

Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union and Chugiak High School

2007 Star Award Honoree

Table of contents

Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union Contact: George Lochner Phone: 745-9141 or 694-4891		Chugiak High School Principal: Rick Volk, 742-3050 SBP Coordinator: Valerie Ekberg- Brown, 742-3107
A partnership was formed in May of 2004 to recognize Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union’s consistent help at Chugiak’s Financial Aid Night presentations for seniors and their parents as well as their new role as consultants in the Junior Achievement Leadership Success Skills Program for Consumer Economics classes. As an additional aspect of the partnership, Mr. Lochner agreed to teach a student volunteer how to scan the model senior project posters (displaying at least 40 hours of volunteer community service) into a computer program at Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union (MVFCU). In order that community members would be able to see the ways in which young people “give back”, the projects were posted on the MVFCU website at www.alaskacommunity.info. Several times a year, Mr. Lochner gives a fantastic presentation on buying one’s first vehicle, the importance of saving for retirement, and compounding interest. David Nelson, Eagle River Branch Manager, teaches the JA class once a week for 8-9 weeks on such topics as building rapport, effective communication, and teamwork. A component of this program also leads up to Mock Job Interviews, done each semester with our school business partners from Eagle River Rotary and Eagle River Wal-Mart. In February 2006, a second agreement was signed for a partnership emphasizing a School to Career program in financial management, including a credit union office (branch) or financial services program, financial education, and basic job readiness skills. MVFCU wishes to promote and encourage healthy financial habits and strong multi-cultural and community activities and this project met those goals. Students in CHS Accounting classes now have the opportunity to become the tellers, supervisors, and managers at the Mustang Money Coop. Each semester presentations are given by MVFCU staff on topics such as cash handling and balancing procedures, budgeting, checking accounts, handling credit, sales and customer service.		Encouragement for early sign-up for an account at the Mustang Money Coop was done by Mr. Lochner’s donation of several iPods and a drawing shortly after the ribbon cutting ceremony on November 29, 2006. Currently, Mr. Lochner is working on 12 financial assets to be added to the “Assets in Motion” calendar. He has also supported this calendar with a financial contribution for its publication and distribution to all high school and middle school students in Chugiak-Eagle River in the 2007-08 school year. Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union has shown exceptional commitment to its expanded partnership with CHS. Grand opening of the MVFCU/Chugiak Mustang Money Co-op in November 2006.

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Please note: The information on this page is from the 2007 edition of Best Practices. The people, programs and contact information included were current at the time of publication, but may have since changed.