Youth Initiatives

Youth Week PR and Promotion Suggestions

• Prior to Youth Week (a month or so), you may send a quick notice to key media outlets that National Credit Union Youth Week is coming and your credit union is going to celebrate it. Include a fact sheet on credit unions in general and your credit union specifically. This will alert local media to place an item in their tickler files.
• Contact local newspaper, radio, and television at least two weeks before Youth Week. Describe what and why you are sponsoring Youth Week observance and invite them to cover the event. Describe what they may find most useful, particularly for television, and follow up with a phone call within 2-3 days of sending the letter. Make the effort to find out the director’s or editor’s name(s) so that your correspondence is in the right hands immediately.
• Submit a letter or opinion piece to your local newspaper for publication during National Youth Credit Union Week; highlight the dismal current state of youth financial literacy and what credit unions (especially your credit union) are doing about it. Invite youth to participate in any events or programs you may be having now and on a regular basis.
• Consider partnering with another local group for any events or programs you may have. The greater the community involvement, the more likely media is to take an interest.
• Consider involving a local celebrity or well-known person as a spokesman or host for your events/activities…and use him or her to promote Youth Week.
• Publicize your activities in your member and youth newsletters and/or through lobby and teller posters, statement mailings, etc. Member interest will help generate media interest.
• Cover your internal events including member reactions and photos (color). Include members in any photos, not just credit union staff or personnel. Send follow-up news releases to your local media and national trade media. Concentrate on the community service angle and benefit to members. The good will created will sell your credit union… Don’t attach any sales or marketing pitch with this release--it will come across as self-serving and greatly reduce your chances for coverage.
• Share your results with CUNA. We’d like to hear from you. E-mail details of your celebration events and any digital photo images to jsepich@cuna.coop.