Supporting Affordable Housing

As your local credit union committed to supporting our members, we care deeply about the communities we serve.

Right now our communities have a desperate need for affordable seniors' housing. Be it through donations, low cost loans or mortgages that traditional banksers choose not to touch, Union Bay Credit Union has always supported community-driven efforts to provide affordable housing options for seniors and families.

Union Bay Credit Union is proud to provide donations, low-cost lending and other support to the organizations working to provide affordable housing in your community.

Proudly supporting the leaders of tomorrow

We all know that our population is aging. One thing we don't hear much about however, is how our aging workforce will affect the leadership capacity within our organizations. As workers retire in increasing numbers, are we preparing the next generation to pick up the torch?

The problem is equally pressing in the nonprofit sector. One local community group, for example, has an average age of 75, and we suspect there are others with similar demographics. In order to sustain the vital work of our community organizations, we need to empower the leaders of tomorrow to step forward and contribute their ideas and energy in a meaningful way.

At UBCU, we're continually looking at ways to mentor, transfer knowledge and otherwise prepare our youth for leadership roles. Along with other credit unions across the province, we proudly support the YES (Youth Exellence Society), which works to build the skill set and resiliency of BC youth through leadership camps and other programs. Its long-term mission is one that we can all rally behind: creating supportive, inclusive communities that encourage us to challenge ourselves and create positive change.

If you're looking at retirement in the not-too-distant future, think about how you can start transferring the vast knowledge you've accumulated to the next generation of young leaders. And if you're and up-and-coming leader, start identifying opportunities for mentorship or more active involvement in your organization or community.

By proactively working together, we can harness the goodness of the next generation and achieve the goal of healthy, united communities.

Volunteerism - part of what makes Canada great!

As Canada celebrates its 150th year, we thought we'd reflect on what we feel is an integral part of the bedrock of this great nation. No, not our love of hockey or Tim Horton's...we're talking about the enthusiastic willingness of each and every one of us to volunteer our time to help make our communities great.

A quick survey of our own staff and directors showed just how involved we are in our communities. More than half of UBCU staff and directors volunteer regularly with one or more nonprofit community groups.

One staff member from our Union Bay branch for example, has volunteered more than 50 hours this year alone with the Union Bay Community Club. She says she wants to show her community spirit and ensure she never loses sight of those community values.

You will see our staff and directors at local fairs, Halloween parties, schools, music festivals, community clubs, senior housing initiatives, family day events and many other community events where an extra pair of hands makes the work lighter and more fun.

Our CEO, Sharon McGarvey, who has likewise volunteered a great many hours to local nonprofits, perhaps best sums up the reasons we do so:

"Showing our children the value of a strong, united community helps them appreciate a sense of belonging'" she says. "The community benefits when we join together to make something that's greater than the sum."

Perhaps you'll join us in celebrating Canada's 150th year in a distinctly Canadian way - by volunteering with a local nonprofit.