Colonial Williamsburg

• School Yard Civics: Their Votes Shape the World. PSCU Financial Services Partners with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
• Credit Unions Make the Grade
• FAQs
• Press Release - February 3, 2005-

School Yard Civics: Their Votes Shape the World. PSCU Financial Services Partners with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

We are focused on two of the foundation’s programs: distance-learning Electronic Field Trips and the Teacher Institute. Electronic Field Trips are satellite-delivered, interactive television and Internet events that bring the 18th century to life for more than one million students annually in more than 3,500 schools nationwide. Colonial Williamsburg produces seven monthly field trips during the school year. Each production is supported with dedicated websites, lesson plans, and other materials, including historical background, glossaries, time lines and booklets that help teachers make the best use of the programs. The Teacher Institute offers week long, summer workshops for teachers that present innovative, proven methods for communicating the important principles of America’s unique history and system of government.

These programs offer children a chance to learn about our American heritage and their civic responsibilities. They also foster a commitment to our democratic system to ensure that our freedoms will be guaranteed for future generations. Since our economic freedoms have helped build the success of each credit union in this country, sponsoring these outstanding educational programs is an ideal way for credit unions to support their local schools and communities.

PSCU Financial Services' involvement with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation offers credit unions an ideal opportunity to support education within local schools and communities. We communicate with teachers throughout the United States and then bring together educators who want to participate and local credit unions anxious to help with education programs. Member-owner credit unions are encouraged to promote these programs in their local schools and provide monies to fund participation. Each credit union contribution allows for a significant increase in the number of schools that are able to benefit from the teacher and student programs. If your organization would like to be more involved, contact Merry Pateuk, PSCU Financial Services at 800-932-7728, or email her at public_relations@pscufs.com.

For more information on Colonial Williamsburg, visit their website at www.history.org/eft.

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Credit Unions Make the Grade

• 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union, VA
• Apple Federal Credit Union, VA
• Arlington Virginia Federal Credit Union, VA
• Arrowhead Credit Union, CA
• Atlantic Credit Union, PA
• BECU, WA
• Brightstar Credit Union, FL
• Cal State Central Credit Union, CA
• Clearview Federal Credit Un ion, P A
• Community One Federal Credit Union, NV
• Dakota Plains Federal Credit Union, SD
• DFCU Financial Federal Credit Union, MI
• Enterprise Credit Union, WI
• Fairfax County Federal Credit Union, VA
• Florida Central Credit Union, FL
• Harborstone Credit Union, WA
• Hawthorne Credit Union, IL
• Hiway Federal Credit Union, MN
• KeyPoint Credit Union, CA
• Knoxville Post Office Credit Union, TN
• Luso-American Credit Union, MA
• Miami Postal Service Credit Union
• Michigan Educational Credit Union, MI
• Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, NY
• Mission Federal Credit Union, CA
• Ohio Educational Credit Union, OH
• Schools Employee CU of Washington, WA
• Southern Mass Credit Union, MA
• Spirit of St. Louis Credit Union, MO
• State Employees Credit Union, MI
• Teacher Federal Credit Union, MN
• Three Rivers Federal Credit Union, IN
• University of Hawaii Federal Credit Union, HI

Thank you all for your support! We would also like to thank those credit unions currently evaluating specific sponsorship opportunities. We look forward to your collaboration.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How will the program work?

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation regularly mails a catalog of materials to educators across the country. Going forward, they will include information that scholarship money may be available from local area credit unions and through their sponsor, PSCU Financial Services. Teachers will be directed to contact PSCU Financial Services. We will provide them a list of area credit unions that have agreed to provide some level of financial support with phone numbers to make contact. Likewise, we will send the credit unions the inquiry from the teacher for the credit union to make the contact.

At the same time, we anticipate that teachers will learn of the scholarship money available through each credit union’s promotional efforts.

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How can my credit union participate?

By virtue of your credit union’s ownership of PSCU Financial Services, our endorsement efforts of this educational outreach extend to your credit union, regardless of your financial support. You already are participating! You can get actively involved by helping local schools participate in the Electronic Field Trips and local teachers attend the Teacher’s Institute. There are many ways of accomplishing this – one-on-one meetings with local school officials, press releases, newsletter articles and statement stuffers can help spread the word.

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Is my credit union required to make a financial commitment?

No, however we are hopeful that your credit union will give strong consideration to providing some amount of scholarship money to assist local schools in obtaining the program materials. Member-owner credit unions can select one of three levels of sponsorship.

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What are the levels of sponsorship and expected financial commitment?

All PSCU Financial Services member-owners are Pewter (Apprentice) Sponsors by virtue of the corporate endorsement. No additional financial commitment is required from Pewter Sponsor credit unions. Silver (Journeyman) Sponsors are credit unions actively promoting the program in their community and underwriting part of the cost for either Teacher Institute participation or Electronic Field Trip school participation. Silver Sponsors commit to a minimum $5,000 annual level of local financial support. Gold (Master Craftsman) Sponsors are credit unions that actively support and fund the programs at the highest level of participation, and will be eligible for recognition standards on an individual level - both nationally and locally. Those who fund the program with a significant dollar commitment ($10,000 or more) will be eligible to sponsor teacher participation at the Teacher’s Institute exclusively from their territory.

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Can we increase our level of funding during a year and change sponsor levels?

Yes, if your credit union elects to set aside additional funds after you have committed to a particular sponsorship level, we will be delighted to change the sponsor classification.

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What type of recognition is anticipated for local participation?

Your Credit Union will be recognized in mailings from Colonial Williamsburg to teachers in your area. The PSCU Financial Services web site and the CWF web site will identify your specific credit union’s contribution, and some specific local market public relations initiatives are planned to highlight your participation. At the National Forum for Teacher Education (and the regional ones in your market area) Colonial Williamsburg will also promote your participation as part of their presentations to teachers.

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What is the cost for a school to participate in the Electronic Field Trips?

A nominal cost of $500 allows an entire school to participate in the series of seven field trips. This sponsorship fee provides each school with a teacher’s guide, classroom posters and more. Under special arrangements, a favorable pricing advantage can be attained for participation by an entire school system.

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What happens to the money that the credit union sets aside for this program if it goes unused?

Any money allocated for scholarship opportunities belongs to the individual credit union. The credit union determines how and when the money is spent. If some portion of the allocated funds is not used, it remains with the credit union. CWF and PSCU Financial Services will work to identify schools of need and interest within your market area, in addition to your own efforts to promote the program.

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If a teacher contacts PSCU Financial Services about scholarship money and in turn, PSCU Financial Services contacts all local area credit unions about the inquiry, which local credit union will sponsor the school or teacher?

Each credit union will be responsible for following up on scholarship opportunities. Your credit union can determine which contacts to follow up on and which not to, based on your market and the amount of funds set aside for the program.

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How can we make our membership aware of the credit union’s endorsement of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation educational outreach efforts?

PSCU Financial Services will provide sample press releases and newsletter articles as well as statement stuffers that your credit union can use to explain your support of American history education. Your credit union endorsement will be recognized with a lobby display item as well as branch decals.

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Will program materials be made available for our credit union to promote the electronic field trips and the teacher institute to our local schools?

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has sends materials to social studies teachers throughout the country each year. Those materials will be provided to your credit union to assist in your outreach efforts in your local communities.

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Will the credit union receive reports to track participation?

Yes, PSCU Financial Services will provide reporting to your credit union to reflect participation, tracking the number of schools and financial scholarship money used.

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Are the educational outreach efforts new?

No, over 3,500 elementary schools across the country already participate in the Electronic Field Trips. This means that in many communities across the country where our member-owners are headquartered, there is already local school involvement. Additionally, the Teacher’s Institute has been in place for over 10 years.

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Is the intent of the endorsement for PSCU Financial Services and its credit unions to promote Williamsburg, Virginia as a travel destination?

No. Our commitment is focused on the educational programs, which includes expanding the number of students participating in the Electronic Field Trips and increasing the number of teachers participating in the Teacher’s Institute learning how to teach American history. While Colonial Williamsburg offers an extraordinary glimpse into our American Heritage, the programs associated with education are part of their outreach mission set up originally by the Rockefeller Foundation.

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Who are the contact people at PSCU Financial Services?

Merry Pateuk 800-932-7728 (public_relations@pscufs.com) and Elaine DiLoreto 800-443-7728 extension 4602 (events_mngr@pscufs.com) can help you with questions or concerns.

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