Share newsletter helps you stay current with the latest news and information from your credit union community. Here’s what you’ll find in this edition:
- Fostering Connections for Peace: Global Anabaptist Peace Network
- Kindred Credit Union Hike for Hospice
- Enhancing Online Security
- Share the Love and you could win!
- Fall Checkup on your Financial Health
Fostering Connections for Peace: Global Anabaptist Peace Network
Providing grants through the Kindred Charitable Fund is one way we partner with local organizations to help us accomplish our purpose. Mennonite World Conference shares how the Kindred Charitable Fund grant they received is inspiring peaceful, just, and prosperous communities.
Over the years, Mennonite World Conference (MWC) member churches around the world have created hundreds of peacerelated organizations, programs, schools, research projects, and more. With a desire to be more intentional in the common pursuit of peace, MWC’s Peace Commission began developing a project called the Global Anabaptist Peace Network (GAPN).
When the GAPN was just beginning 2015 and 2016, the organizationtook advantage of the opportunity to learn and grow as a participant in the Epp Peace Incubator program. The incubator is housed within the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement at Conrad Grebel University College, and it’s one of the centre’s core programs to collaboratively and creatively advance peace.
Participants in the Incubator program benefit from access to funding, mentorship, peer collaboration, office space, and a connection to the local social innovation ecosystem. It’s designed to help participants scale their initiatives to touch lives in ways that advance peace, justice, and inclusion.
A 2016 proposal identified four potential tasks for the GAPN: sharing prayer and advocacy requests; sharing news, information, and stories about peace work; developing a member directory; and creating electronic and physical space where network members can meet, connect, and build mutually transformative relationships.
With $15,000 in funding over three years from the Kindred Charitable Fund, a significant multi-year grant from another organization, and start-up support from the Incubator, the GAPN was able to get off the ground. “It takes a lot of time and effort to build a global network, so seed money is crucial,” notes Arli Klassen, Chief Development Officer at MWC. “It’s also an important show of solidarity, when relatively ‘rich’ organizations from the Global North fund a network that has the potential to provide agencies in the Global South with the vital connections needed to foster success.”
While housed at the Epp Peace Incubator, the GAPN had one part-time staff person and some volunteers. In 2018, the group successfully facilitated a face-to-face Steering Committee meeting in Kenya, and today the GAPN continues to grow its capacity and build its network of influence. Those who are helping to develop the GAPN were able to build bridges at the recent Global Mennonite Peacebuilding conferences (see sidebar), connecting with people from agencies around the world, getting their buy-in, and growing an understanding of the possibilities such a network can offer.
“Year after year, the GAPN is taking shape,” notes Klassen. “We hope it will become a self-sustaining membership organization in 2021, in time for the next MWC Global Assembly.”
Visit mwc-cmm.org to learn more about the work of the GAPN.
Can entrepreneurs be peacebuilders?
The first Global Mennonite Peacebuilding Conference and Festival was held at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo in 2016, to explore traditions and contemporary expressions of Anabaptist/Mennonite peace beliefs and practices. The second conference was held in the Netherlands from June 27 to 30, 2019, providing a renewed opportunity to gather academics and practitioners to learn from each other, to give expression to peacebuilding ideals through the arts, and to assess and re-envision Mennonite peacebuilding practice.
In a global context in which the need for peace is growing, new ideas and new partnerships are necessary. Paul Heidebrecht, Director of the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement, and Joji Pantoja, CEO of Coffee for Peace, facilitated a workshop showcasing examples of peacebuilding projects around the world that intersect with the emerging field of social entrepreneurship.
Kindred Credit Union Hike for Hospice
We’re so excited to be the presenting partner of the Kindred Credit Union Hike for Hospice for the third year running! This annual fundraiser supports the programs and services offered by Hospice of Waterloo Region.
Sunday, September 22 New Location! Laurel Creek Conservation Area, Waterloo, Ontario Five kilometre walk or run through beautiful nature trails.
Registration starts at 9:00 a.m., a memorial and moment of contemplation will begin at 10:00, and hikers will head to the trails at 10:30. A free barbecue lunch will start at 11:30, followed by entertainment and prizes.
You can access your profit shares!
From September 3 until October 31, 2019, you are able to access up to 5% of your accumulated Profit Shares. For more information, call or visit your local branch and speak with a member of our Investment Team.
Enhancing Online Security
Technology and the internet have made many of our activities, including daily banking, so much more convenient, faster, and secure. While technology has reduced many of the risks of paper-based transactions, banking online can come with some challenges.
Online fraud is a growing problem. Fraudsters’ methods are constantly evolving, and we’re continuously implementing security enhancements to protect your accounts. In fact, this fall we will implement new criteria for online banking passwords to ensure your online banking password is stronger and more secure. When that time comes, you’ll be prompted to change your password when you login to online banking.
Kindred’s online banking systems are secure, with many controls in place to ensure the safety and security of your accounts. It’s important to remember that you also have a critical role to play in protecting your accounts.
Recognize it, Reject it and Report it! Stay up-to-date about security issues, always use anti-virus software and be alert to scammers. It is critical that you contact us as soon as possible if a transaction or request seems strange, or if you suspect you may have been the victim of a scam.
Here are some more ways you can protect yourself from fraud:
- Always use “strong” passwords for your accounts (i.e., combinations of letters, numbers, and special characters that are not easy to guess, a complex phrase or a sentence with punctuation).
- Set up “Autodeposit” for your incoming e-transfers. It’s faster, easier, and funds go directly into your account. When sharing passwords for e-transfers, never do this by email, instead call or text the recipient directly.
- Set up online banking Alerts. You can choose to be alerted for a wide range of activity including account balances, logins, specific transactions and more.
- Refrain from using public WiFi to access your online banking, it is not secure.
- Never share your online banking password with anyone. Kindred will never request your online banking password from you.
Visit our anti-fraud pages on kindredcu.com for information about the most common scams and what you can do to protect yourself.
Need a bit of breathing room? We’ve got you covered!
Overdraft Protection serves as a back-up plan, covering your chequing account so that even if your balance falls below zero, transactions will not be rejected. It’s a hassle-free way to ensure your finances are in check, every day.
Kindred’s Overdraft Protection options include: Overdraft Line of Credit; Personal or Business Line of Credit; and Coverdraft Transfer. Visit your local branch or kindredcu.com/Banking/OverdraftProtection to learn more.
Share the Love and you Could Win!
Our research shows that more than 75% of our members would recommend Kindred to family or friends – we thank you for your support!
We want to encourage you to share the good news about Banking with Purpose with even more people.
You have three chances to win! When someone you’ve referred opens a membership, you’ll be entered into our $500 GIC draws!*
* Membership conditions apply. There will be three draws this fall and non-winning entries will be eligible for the subsequent draws. Terms and conditions apply. For full contest rules, visit your local branch or kindredcu.com.
Get a Credit Card that checks all the boxes…
From Tap & Go®, AutoPay, and Zero Liability fraud and purchase protection, to rewards and cash-back, Kindred’s suite of Business and Personal Mastercard® credit cards work as hard as you do.
And, did you know that you support the Kindred Charitable Fund every time you make a purchase on your Kindred Mastercard? Now that’s Banking with Purpose!
No purchase necessary. Terms and conditions apply. ® Mastercard is a registered trademark and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
Now Accepting Applications for the 2020 Kindred Charitable Fund
The Kindred Charitable Fund is an endowment that offers annual project grants to churches and charitable organizations. Each year, projects are selected from many submissions that help us to accomplish our purpose.
The 2020 deadline for applications is October 31. Please complete the Charitable Giving Request form available on kindredcu.com. If you have any questions, contact Amy Zavitz, Community Engagement Specialist, at 519.746.1010, ext. 5509 or by email at amy.zavitz@kindredcu.com.
Fall Checkup on your Financial Health
This fall, why not take a few minutes to do a pulse check on your financial health? Consider the following questions:
✅ Have you identified and prioritized your financial goals?
✅ Do you save part of every paycheque?
✅ Have you answered the question “How much is enough”?
✅ Are you comfortable with your level of debt?
✅ Are you confident you will be debt-free in retirement?
✅ Do you have an up-to-date will?
✅ Have you signed a Power of Attorney?
✅ Is your investment portfolio within your level of risk tolerance?
If you can’t “check off” all of these questions, you may need to reassess your financial well-being. A financial plan is an investment in your future that can bring peace of mind, help to clarify your life goals, and set you on the path to achieving them!
Call or visit your local Kindred branch today to speak with a member of our Investment Team.
Kindred is a 2019 Best for the World Honoree!
We have once again been recognized as a top-performing B Corp. With verified B Impact Assessment scores in the top 10% of all B Corps, Kindred earned an honoured spot on three lists: Best for the World: Overall, Best for the World: Customers, and Best for World: Workers.
The Best for the World lists recognize businesses that create extraordinary positive impact and are based on an independent, comprehensive assessment administered by the non-profit B Lab. Learn more at kindredcu.com.
Kindred’s SRI Study Highlights
In July, Kindred released “SRI Study Highlights: Awareness, Expectations, and Links to Charitable Giving”, highlighting the results of Kindred’s socially responsible investing (SRI) study.
Kindred was motivated to conduct its first SRI Study to learn more about the awareness and expectations of SRI in general and Kindred’s SRI offerings in particular. We also hoped to better understand whether or not there were links between engagement with SRI and charitable giving and volunteerism. What we learned will allow us to ensure we’re offering the products and services our members value. You can read the SRI Study Highlights here.
Mark your Calendars
September 10 to 12 – Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show: We have a limited number of free passes available. Please call or visit your local branch.
September 14 – #FreshAirFeast: Our community partner, Reep Green Solutions, celebrates 20 years with a picnic in the park.
October 17 – Member Appreciation Day: We want to say thank-you for your membership and celebrate International Credit Union Day! Treats and coffee will be available at all branches.
October 28 to November 1 – Responsible Investing Week: Join us on Wednesday, October 30 to learn more about the NEI Environmental Leaders Fund. Details to follow.
December 3 – Giving Tuesday: Join the movement dedicated to giving back.
Securities and securities related financial planning services are offered through Qtrade Advisor, a division of Credential Qtrade Securities Inc., Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Mutual funds and securities related financial planning services are offered through Qtrade Asset Management Inc., Member MFDA.
Do you have a suggestion for something you would like to see in Share? Would you like to Share your Kindred story? Email us at info@kindredcu.com or speak with any member of the Kindred team – we’d love to hear from you!
Share newsletter is mailed to all member households with their account statements in March, June, September, and December. If you don’t receive paper statements yet would like to receive Share by mail, email us at info@kindredcu.com or call toll-free 1.888.672.6728.
Join our email list to stay informed with the latest blog articles, news, and updates straight to your inbox.