FOCUS Touching Lives
A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF SPIRE FALL 2008
Employee
Sue Grossnickle
Member-owned cooperative businesses
touch the lives of virtually all Americans
Thanks for your support! Internet Banking visit us o
every day. Co-ops provide almost every
Enhancements
product and service imaginable, from the coffee you drink in the morning to
•
Sue has been a the news you watch at night. And they do it with a difference.
dedicated Since co-ops are owned by their members/customers, you know you are get-
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employee for 12
g.com
ting a good deal and more of the money you spend stays in your community. metro
ne • ww
years, starting 651.215.3500
originally as a teller SPIRE encourages you to support co-ops in your communities. Here are just
If you’ve used Internet Banking toll free
in the Roseville a few example of local co-ops: ACE Hardware, Carpet One, Cenex Harvest
kin
lately, you may have noticed 888.34.SPIRE
office. Sue also States (CHS), Cooperative Housing, Dakota Electric, Health Partners, w.
some exciting new features!
n
worked as a loan Lakewinds Natural Food Co-ops, and The Wedge. To find co-ops in your area, spire-ba
visit www.coopmonth.coop/directory. Members are now able to do
Community Calendar Upcoming
processor and was
ON THE INSIDE
promoted to address changes, give accounts
Holiday Hours
Director of Home “nicknames,” and open new
Equity Lending before settling into her shares and certificates themselves
current role as the branch manager for once they are logged into First-Time Homebuyer
Thru Oct. 28 Farmer’s Market SPIRE’s Internet Banking system.
SPIRE’s Blaine branch. Tuesdays 7:30 a.m. – Noon Tax Credit
Sue excels in her current role partly SPIRE Admin Bldg – THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY Do you have a SPIRE Visa® credit
Falcon Heights Thursday, November 27, 2008
Holiday Shopping Is
because of her passion for truly helping On Monday, September 1, Sgt. Marcus Kuboy received the keys card? You can now pay your bill Right Around the Corner!
Friday, November 28, 2008
people. She recently was able to help a October 16 International Credit Saturday, November 29, 2008 to his new house in Woodbury thanks to donations from Homes through Visa® Online from any
Union Day for Our Troops. SPIRE and other Minnesota credit unions have financial institution. Big Job Changes Mean
couple of members avoid foreclosure and
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY stepped up to the plate to raise funds and provide volunteer Big Financial Decisions
stay in their homes. “I love to help young October 25 Anoka Halloween Parade eAlerts is yet another new free
Wednesday, December 24, 2008 support for Homes for Our Troops. In true credit union fashion,
adults get started on the right track with Nov. 1-Dec. 15 Toys for Tots — donations Thursday, December 25, 2008 service available. eAlerts are Seminars
their credit. I want them to understand accepted at all SPIRE locations you have helped illustrate the “people helping people” philosophy. emails sent directly to you to
NEW YEARS Annual Meeting
their credit rating is very important and notify you of certain transactions Announcement
Don’t gamble with your
Be sure to visit spire-banking.com or check branch Thursday, January 1, 2008
how it will affect them throughout their video monitors for additional community event or events happening on your
lives,” said Sue. information and calendar updates. account. Each eAlert can be sent 2009 Slate of
SPIRE’s Eden Prairie branch is on schedule to open in December!
healthcare savings. to multiple email or cellular phone Board of Candidates
When Sue is not busy working at SPIRE,
she is busy working at home. Sue and addresses within minutes of the Winner of 20
actual transaction. You choose
Open a FREE HSA with SPIRE!
her husband of 23 years, Rick, have one Autographed Baseballs!
The new location at 8577 Columbine Road is located on the corner of what type and how many eAlerts
son, Keith, who is now 20. Sue enjoys
Highway 212 and Fountain Place (in between OfficeMax and Michaels). you would like to receive. To sign International
FREE HSA
taking care of her yard, flower gardens
There will be no interruption of service for our Eden Prairie members; the up for eAlerts, just log into your Credit Union Day
Savings, Certificates
and three beagles, Chevy, Taz, and N
Branch Locations How To
existing branch will be open for business until the new branch opens. account and you’ll see the eAlerts
& Checking
Scooby Doo. Sue also has a creative side I bank with SPIRE
Reach SPIRE
to her. She spends time making sign-up at the top of the page.
FREE HSA Visa
Employee Focus
homemade cards and has started to ®
Check Card
N SPIRE is committed to offering
dabble in stained glass. innovative new features to Touching Lives
No monthly
Blaine Minneapolis
Here’s a little-known fact, Sue once was enhance all of our products. If
maintenance, set-up
N
8700 University Ave. N.W. 3117 University Ave. S.E.
“Bubbles the Clown” in the Powder Puff Contact Center you would like more information
or transaction fees
Coon Rapids Princeton 651.215.3500 • 888.34.SPIRE
Clown Club! 3380 Northdale Blvd. N.W. 501 South 2nd Street or need assistance please give us
Grow your savings
Please direct all correspondence a call or stop at any one of our
Stop by our Blaine branch and say hi to Eagan Roseville and loan payments to:
tax-free, including
N branch locations.
Shoppes at Promenade 1909 Highway 36 West SPIRE
interest
Bubbles…or Sue! 3344 Promenade Ave.
P.O. Box 130670
St. Paul
Roseville, MN 55113
HSAs for individuals
Eden Prairie Alliance Bank Center Bldg.
Suburban Place 56 East 6th Str., Suite 314
& businesses
250 Prairie Center Dr. N
Woodbury
Maple Grove 6949 Valley Creek Road,
Grove Square Mall Suite 280
13619 Grove Drive
MEMBER
Minnesota and
North Dakota
SPIRE Federal Credit Union is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
SPIRE
G
First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Big Job Changes Mean
L MEETIN T 2009 Slate of
Big Financial Decisions ANNUA NCEMEN Board of Candidates
I bank with
ANNOU nual Meeting wtiltlhbee
Martha Cavitt
As part of a recent housing bill signed into law,
congress created a new temporary tax cut for
first-time homebuyers looking to purchase a Millions of employees will change jobs The Nominating Committee has selected
75th An a ,
each year through career moves, layoffs, 1, 2009 four SPIRE members to run for two
S PI R E’s ay, February 2 e Center in
primary residence. The tax credit is worth 10%
and of course, retirement. Careful positions (three-year terms) on the Board
of the purchase price of the home, with a
planning of your retirement savings is very Saturd rown Heritag , M N. of Directors. The four candidates are as
maximum of $7,500. To qualify for the tax Earle B oklyn Center
important, after all, this could be the largest Bro Winter follows: Ken Gangl, Diane Haugen, Tom
credit, the home must be purchased
de d in the .
be inclu
sum of money you ever have to manage. Do Hirte, and Tammi Trelstad.
between April 9, 2008, and June 30, 2009. Ups
you leave it in your former employer’s plan, Det ails will issue of Close The 2009 Board of Directors Election
Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or transfer it to a new plan, roll it into an IRA or 2009
on your fifth home, we can help. SPIRE has will be conducted by mail in early 2009. The ballot
cash it out?
a full line of mortgage products to meet will include bios of each of the candidates. All primary members over
your needs. SPIRE now offers Veterans SPIRE’s Registered Representative, Jeff Keenan, the age of 18 with $10 or more in their share savings accounts are eligible to
Administration (VA) loans too. For more can recommend what is best for you and your vote in the election.
savings. Jeff may help you to potentially avoid
Holiday Shopping Is
information or to apply 24/7, please call
651.268.7725. costly taxes and penalties, consolidate several Petition Notice
plans into one and keep your money working for Nominations to the slate of candidates may be made only by the Nominating
Right Around the Corner!
you now and into the future. Committee or by a petition to the Nominating Committee. If you wish to be
placed on the ballot, you must deliver a petition signed by at least 500
For a complimentary review of your Member since: 2001
SPIRE members to the Nominating Committee c/o Emily Sufka at SPIRE by
retirement savings plan, November 14, 2008. Emily may be reached by calling 651.215.3450. Martha joined the credit union shortly after
contact Jeff at 651.641.2352 or Nomination petitions must include a certificate signed by the nominee SPIRE made the “Best of the Twin Cities”
Winner of 20 International
Like it or not the cold weather and the holidays are KeenanJ@financialnetwork.com. stating agreement to the notification and willingness to serve if elected. list for credit unions. “I had become
approaching. If you need a little extra cash or some gift Registered Branch: increasingly dissatisfied with the credit
Autographed Baseballs! Credit Union Day
ideas, SPIRE has the answer! 1909 Highway 36 West, Roseville, MN 55113 union that I had used for years, so I was
delighted to find a credit union that had
N SPIRE offers a “Skip-A-Pay” program that allows you INVESTMENTS ARE NOT NCUSIF INSURED • NO CREDIT
low fees and great customer service. I
to skip a loan payment on the month(s) of your choice. UNION GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE • NOT A DEPOSIT
AND NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY have never had anything but positive
Visit www.spire-banking.com/services/skippay.asp or When SPIRE sponsored the T.C. Bear experiences with SPIRE. I am grateful that
International
call 651.215.3500 to find out how easy it is! Securities are offered through Financial Network Investment
Bank Giveaway at the Metrodome, we have such a good alternative to the
Corporation, member SIPC. Financial Network is not affiliated with Credit Union
N Visa GiftCards are available for purchase at all SPIRE SPIRE FCU. over 500 people stopped by our booth (ICU) Day is a regular banks,” said Martha.
branch locations and online at www.spire-banking.com on the plaza to guess how many balls day to celebrate Martha grew up in Hopkins and has been
were in the jar pictured below. The jar the spirit of the volunteering for the Hopkins School
contained a total of 165 “balls,” which credit union District since 1996. As a mother of three
One of the many benefits of SPIRE membership is the opportunity to attend the educational seminars we offer. included marbles and baseballs movement. and grandmother of two of an ethnically
seminars
Seminars are held at our Administrative Offices in Falcon Heights unless indicated otherwise. See individual autographed by current and former ICU Day diverse family, Martha takes great interest
seminars for registration and fee information. Twins players. David, a fifth grader at honors those in seeing that a district-wide, community-
St. Hubert's in Chanhassen, was the who have wide support system for students,
Over 55 – Are We Having Fun Yet? Beginner Courses (2 days) lucky winner! His guess was only 2 dedicated including low-income and minorities,
Come and join Dave and his fun-filled Driver Wednesday, November 19 • 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.* away from the actual number. their lives to and their parents is developed for
& Thursday, November 20 • 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.* the movement.
Improvement Class from the MN Highway Safety This is really students to make post-secondary
Center affiliated with St. Cloud State University. There Tuesday, December 9 • 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. cool...I have It recognizes the hard work of schooling more accessible.
is an eight-hour beginner course for $20 and a four- & Wednesday, December 10 • 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. never won credit union staff and volunteers
hour refresher course for $18. You will save hundreds anything and shows appreciation to Martha worked for the U.S. Postal Service
of dollars on your auto insurance after completing the Refresher Courses before! credit union members. for 35 years, retiring in 2006. She currently
course (save 10% on each payment for the next three Thursday, October 30 • 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.* Thank you Celebrate with us Thurs- provides daycare for her grandchildren,
years). Class lists are kept confidential to protect your Tuesday, November 11 • 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. SPIRE, you day, October 16, 2008. and when she has a few spare minutes for
rights. All AAA discounts will be honored. Thursday, November 13 • 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.* made my day! Goodies and giveaways will be herself enjoys art, sewing, bird watching,
-David available at all branch locations! gardening, traveling, and planning her next
To register call 1.888.234.1294 David, right, winner of the
move. “It is true that once you retire, you
contest, with his brother Joe. wonder how you ever had any time for
* This class will be held at the Coon Rapids branch
work,” replied Martha.