This statement is consistent with international credit union principles of “not for profit, not for charity, but for service” and the philosophy of “People helping people.”
This statement represents good business practices that ensure the financial strength of our credit union on behalf of all members.

Mission:
Sarasota Coastal Credit Union is a financial services provider that places the highest importance on providing a first-class experience and service to its membership.

Strategic Direction:
Sarasota Coastal Credit Union will maintain a controlled growth rate with a focus on increasing relationships with current members and adding new loyal and productive members. We will concentrate efforts on the credit needs of our members. We are a community organization. We continuously strive to increase service levels and to communicate the not-for-profit cooperative difference.

Values:
We value our members and make every effort to respond effectively to their needs with products and services that add value to their financial lives.

We value our staff and support their professional growth via contemporary learning opportunities, recognition, market-based compensation and benefits programs.

We value accurate, consistent and prompt service delivered with a smile to the membership and each other.

As a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative, Sarasota Coastal Credit Union understands and accepts that it has a responsibility to actively serve persons in its field of membership. We will treat all members with respect and dignity. We will offer products and services to the diverse economic and social make-up of our members and potential members. We will demonstrate the value of membership in Sarasota Coastal Credit Union.

We communicate with members in a way that they, potential members, legislators, regulators, and the community at large can understand and appreciate the unique role that member-owned financial cooperatives play in their lives.

Sarasota Coastal Credit Union is a drug-free workplace.

Section 1: Service to Members
Sarasota Coastal Credit Union strives to offer services designed to improve the economic and social well being of all members, and provide value to all those who participate in our member-owned financial cooperative.

• Sgt. Sunshine & the Beach Patrol – Youth program to promote savings for children ages 0-12 years. Beach-themed incentives awarded for reaching various savings levels.
• CU SUCCEED – Teen savings program (ages 13-21 years) introducing share draft accounts to youth market. Annual scholarship program for graduating seniors planning to attend college.
• 24 hour/7 day Access to Account Information – no-cost access to all accounts and rate information as well as the ability to transfer/withdraw from CU accounts via telephone/Internet. ATMs and audio response are offered in Spanish for our Hispanic members.
• E-Statements – Don’t wait on the US Mail. Receive a no-cost electronic statement in your inbox via e-mail. All members who enroll in our free online service, Coastal Personal Branch, may receive e-statements and other notices.
• Central Call Center – Our call center is staffed with financial service representatives and loan officers to answer all callers and provide information. Dial (941) 907-4000, or toll-free (800) 318-5481.
• Managed Credit Program – Loan interest rates based on your individual credit history.
• Mortgage Services – Members may obtain a first mortgage, or refinance their current home with a variety of fixed rate or adjustable term loans by dialing (941) 907-4085, or visit our website, www.sccu.org, to complete an application on-line. A complete product line of home equity loans, at adjustable and fixed interest rates are available.
• Loans by Phone – Members may apply for a loan 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by dialing (888) 831-7186.
• Auto Advisors – New or used vehicle buying service to assist members. Call Jim at 907-4087, or Yvonne at 907-4844.
• COASTAL Advisory Services – Meet with a licensed, financial representative who will guide you through a financial plan. Our unique Skill-Weighted Portfolio is available only at Sarasota Coastal Credit Union. Sophie, our online, virtual financial adviser, provides a no-cost planning model for the do-it-yourselfer is available at www.sccu.org.
• MEMBERS Insurance Services – Members may obtain auto or home insurance quotes by dialing (877) 981-8448, or visiting www.membersinsuranceservices.com.
• Payment Advantage – Borrowers may reduce car loan payments using this balloon loan plan.
• Point-of-Sale Vehicle Loans- Members, and potential members, may complete the entire process of buying and financing through a network of participating local dealerships. Visit our website, www.sccu.org, for a listing of participating auto dealers.
• First Time Homebuyer Seminars – Free informational seminars for members to educate them on issues related to purchasing a home and to qualify them for down payment assistance. Contact us at (941) 907-4085 for the date of the next seminar.
• Student Loans – Members can obtain low interest federal student aid to help defer the high cost of higher education.
• Member Survey – To better understand the needs of our membership, and measure the levels of satisfaction, a survey is conducted by an independent consulting firm every other year.
• IRnet – low-cost, money transfers for Spanish-speaking members.

Section 2: Member Education
Sarasota Coastal Credit Union is committed to member and consumer financial education; in addition we are committed to educating members, and staff, about credit union uniqueness, philosophy, and values.

• Website – Visit www.sccu.org where members and potential members may access product & service information, rates, and CU news. Also features links to informational sites such as Home & Family Finance, Googolplex, WebCarbook, and NADA Guides.
• Quarterly Newsletter – Informational newsletter distributed to all member households.
• No-cost, no-obligation seminars - Members are offered a variety of topics such as Long Term Care, Investment Basics, Retirement Planning, DROP, and Auto Buying.
• First Time Homebuyer Seminars - Free informational seminars for members to educate them on issues related to purchasing a home and to qualify them for down payment assistance.

Section 3: Involvement/Governance
Sarasota Coastal Credit Union will preserve credit union democratic principles, including demographic representation and volunteer participation in credit union activities.

• Board Elections – directors are unpaid volunteers and elected by the members.
• Board Nominations – members are invited to submit nominations for open Board positions annually.
• Annual Business Meeting – members are notified annually of the date, time and place of the business meeting.
• Board Training – directors are required to complete a comprehensive training program designed specifically for directors, and to attend educational opportunities, regular monthly meetings, and the annual strategic planning seminar.

Section 4: Diversity
Sarasota Coastal 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 role sat the credit union.

• Programs that promote Diversity
• Equal Opportunity Employer
• Member Market Segmentation – A scientifically based approach to deliver products and services to specific demographic markets.
• Sarasota Openly Addresses Racism (SOAR) Symposium – SCCU was a corporate sponsor of the First Annual Symposium on Racism.

Section 5: Commitment to the Credit Union Movement
Sarasota Coastal Credit Union works to build and strengthen the credit union movement by providing financial and in-kind resources to others within the credit union community, and by actively advocating our difference at all levels of government and in other appropriate public forums. In addition, Sarasota Coastal Credit Union participates in local, state, and national cooperative activities as appropriate, and strives to build and strengthen relationships with other sectors of the national cooperative movement.

• We encourage and pay the cost for management staff to complete Certified Credit Union Executive designation.
• We reimburse staff for college education.
• Our CEO participates on state and national credit union boards/committees.
• Staff and board members are encouraged to attend educational meetings sponsored by the local chapter of credit unions.
• Staff member is president of the local credit union chapter and has a seat on the Consumer Credit Counseling Service Advisory Board.
• Staff and officials attend appropriate seminars/workshops throughout the year.
• Promote the credit union movement by using America’s Credit Union logos in all promotional materials.
• Partnership between Sarasota Coastal Credit Union and C & WJ Employees Co-operative Credit Union, Ltd., Kingston, Jamaica. This partnership is evidence of a bond of friendship, commitment to mutual assistance, commitment to the credit union philosophy of people helping people, and serves as a framework for developing a future relationship.

Section 6: Public Service/Corporate Citizenship
Through financial support or other in-kind contributions, Sarasota Coastal Credit Union makes every effort to be a partner in our community. We recognize that practicing good Corporate Citizenship supports the Credit Union philosophy of People Helping People; furthermore, it will help raise the overall level of social and economic well being of those in our community, help to strengthen ties with the community, and better position us to reach out and serve those persons in need of affordable consumer financial services.

• United Way Campaign – corporate support and staff participation.
• SPARCC Adopt a Family – Credit Union uses employee donations and monies raised via holiday money-holders to purchase Christmas presents for needy families receiving assistance from the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center of Sarasota.
• Dollars 4 Scholars – for the 13th year, SCCU will be having its annual scholarship giveaway where two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school seniors to help with college expenses.
• Yearbook Ads – CU purchases yearbook/program ads from local elementary, middle and high schools, as well as business organizations.
• Brush Up Sarasota – CU staff and volunteers participate in community “beautification” project where local homesites are painted.
• Childrens Safety Fair – CU sponsored a childrens safety fair featuring fingerprinting kits for children, local firefighters, Florida Highway Patrol, and a canine anti-drug unit.
• Golf Outings – CU sponsors fund-raising activities for not-for-profit organizations including Rotary, Kiwanis, Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, and SERTOMA.
• Relay for Life – Sponsorship of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
• Provides financial support to a variety of selected groups, such as the Sarasota Math Teachers convention, Chamber of Commerce, Comedy Festival for Charity, Sarasota County Parks Department.
• Salvation Army – Donation Kettles in lobbies. Credit counseling workshops via the FAITH (Families in Transitional Housing) program.
• Consumer Credit Counseling Service – sponsor printing of local chapter’s brochures and provides two executives to serve in advisory roles.
• All Faiths Food Bank – Donation of promotional items for charity golf-outing to raise money for the Food Bank.
• Children’s Haven – money raised from the sale of cookbooks at the credit union is donated to this charity.
• Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse – CU CEO is chairman, Board of Directors, Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse.
• Deaf Service Center- CU participates in an annual bowl-a-thon to raise money to support the local Deaf Service Center.
• Nickelodeon Game Lab – CU co-sponsors an annual childrens fair hosted by the Nickelodeon Childrens Television Network.
• March of Dimes Shamrock Campaign – Staff & member support of the March of Dimes through the purchase of paper shamrocks in each lobby.
• Florida Credit Union Foundation – Contributor to the FCUF which provides scholarships for FCUL and CUNA conferences & seminars
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters – Corporate sponsor of the Third Annual BIG Event benefiting local Big Brothers Big Sisters.
• Mothers of Preschoolers – Donation of items to benefit the MOPS program that provides fellowship, support and encouragement to mothers of young children.
• Junior Achievement – Donation to work force development programs which provide volunteer role models for childrens’ future roles in the workplace.
• Sarasota Openly Addresses Racism Symposium – Corporate sponsor of the Symposium on Racism.
• AIDS Manasota/Manatee AIDS Council – Support the awareness benefit.
• All Children’s Hospital –fund raising activities in branch lobbies.
• YMCA Youth Shelter – provide educational seminars to teens on topics such as financial matters, job preparation, and basic life skills.
• Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity (SURE) – corporate sponsor of annual Justice & Equity Day breakfast.
• Thaise Educational & Exposure Tours - Donation to program that aims to empower students through exposure to enrichment classes, the speakers bureau and local historical and artistic venues.
• NAACP Sarasota Branch – Donation for the Annual Freedom Awards Banquet.
• Miss North Port Fast Pitch Softball Team – sponsorship of girl’s softball team.
• Toys for Tots – sponsorship of July 2005 Golf Benefit.
• Ways-to-Work – a federally-funded program providing loans to persons in need who may not qualify for credit.
• LifeLink Foundation – sponsorship of the LifeLink Foundation and The Florida Orchestra efforts to raise awareness about the need for increased organ & tissue donation in our community.

Updated 02/06