Especially for Educators

Student Run Credit Union Returns for 2011/2012 School Year

Last year, TBA Credit Union launched a unique program designed to encourage fiscal responsibility and leadership skills among area youth. Student Run Credit Unions were introduced in four local elementary schools last November. By spring, the program grew to include six schools.

During the program's inaugural year, over 140 student volunteers processed 586 transactions, helping peers save $3800. This year, the program has grown to include ten area schools. A Student Run Credit Union can operate in any school at no cost to participating districts. For more information, contact Cindy Lardie at 231-932-5058.

• View the Blair student video
• View the 9&10 news report on Blair's Grand Opening
• Building Savings, Building Leaders - Central Grade School's Student Run Credit Union

2011/2012 Participating Schools

• Central Grade School
• Cherry Knoll
• TCAPS Montessori
• Silver Lake Elementary
• Blair Elementary
• Long Lake Elementary
• Willow Hill
• Platte River Elementary
• Grand Traverse Academy
• Immaculate Conception

Classroom Grants are Back!

Six years ago, TBA Credit Union partnered with MEEMIC Insurance/The Harvitt Agency to bring educators a Classroom Grant designed to provide more enriching experiences for their students. Grants have been awarded for multiple classroom projects including new books, improved technology, school newspapers and healthy food labs. Thousands of students in the five-county region have benefited from the grant program. Click here to view past recipients.

To learn more about the Classroom Grant, call Robin Ahart at 231-932-5035. To apply, download a printable PDF application and fax to 231-932-5050..

TBACU Recognizes 2011 Outstanding Educators

TBA Credit Union, in partnership with Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District and the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, are proud to announce the names of ten educators who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to their schools, students, peers and communities.

The 2011 Outstanding Educators were honored during the 26th Annual Outstanding Educator Awards ceremony at the Milliken Auditorium on June 1. Each March, nominations for Outstanding Educators are accepted from all public, private and parochial schools throughout the five-county region. Congratulations to this year's recipients!

Michael Buell, Administrator

Superintendent of Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools

Cathy Bolter, Support Staff

East Middle School, Traverse City Area Public Schools

Rebecca Dobler, Certified Staff

Kingsley Elementary School

Amy Dunscombe, Teacher

East Middle School, Traverse City Area Public Schools

Brandy Gallagher, Teacher

West Middle School, Traverse City Area Public Schools

Juleen Jenkins-Whall, Teacher

West Senior High School, Traverse City Area Public Schools

Lori Meddaugh, Teacher

Holy Angels Elementary, Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools

Jeana Paquet, Teacher

Immaculate Conception Elementary School, Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools

Sue Schultz, Instructor

Adult Education, Michigan Works!, Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District

Debbie Watson, Teacher

Old Mission Peninsula School, Traverse City Area Public Schools

Scholarship Winner Announced!

Each year TBACU contributes $1,000 towards the Grand Traverse Area Retired School Personnel scholarship fund. Shawn Morgan, a senior at Forest Area Public Schools, was announced as one of the 2011 scholarship recipients. Accepted at Universal Technical Institute in Glendale, Illinois, Shawn plans to become a specialized mechanic working exclusively on high-end vehicles. Congratulations, Shawn!

Grand Traverse Area Retired School Personnel

Good news for GTARSP members! You can now view your bi-annual newsletter online! To view the Bay Leaf Newsletter, click here. Viewing your newsletter online is fast, easy, and saves GTARSP money in postage and printing costs! To learn more about how TBA Credit Union can save you money, call 231-946-7090 or visit our website for information on money-saving products like free checking and online banking.

TBA Credit Union... the Educators' Choice!

TBA Credit Union's Educator's Choice checking package was designed especially for area educators! Any school employee in the five-county region qualifies for the following exclusive Educator's Choice benefits:

• FREE checking with no minimum balance
• FREE unlimited Spirit Checks
• FREE Visa Travel Card
• FREE online banking & bill pay
• Educator’s Advantage Overdraft Line of Credit
• FREE t-shirt
• FREE Educator's Choice Perk Card with special offers from area businesses for school employees only!
• Discounts on many loan products
• Bonuses on certificate of deposits (excluding specials)
• Premium rates on Deferred Compensation accounts
• Summer Savings to ease the expense of summer spending
• Hall Pass good for one returned NSF fee per school year

Already a TBA Credit Union Educator's Choice member? Refer a colleague! For each colleague who opens a qualifying savings and checking account and enrolls in direct deposit, TBACU will deposit $50 into your account and $50 into your friend's account!* The more friends you refer, the more you earn!

To learn more about how you can become an exclusive Educator’s Choice member, call 231-946-7090 and ask to speak with a New Accounts Representative today!

*Referral must have a qualifying membership with a minimum balance of $100. Membership must remain open for three (3) months to qualify for $50 gift.

Scott, Patti, and Marie sporting their new CU swag!
Open an Educator's Choice checking package and take home some swag of your own!

Educator’s Choice Perk Card

Spirit Checks Raise Money for Your School!

Parents, faculty and administrators can now show their school pride by having school logos printed right on their TBA Credit Union checks!

How does this benefit schools? For each box of checks ordered with an imprint of your school’s logo, TBA Credit Union will donate $2 to your school!

And the best part? You don’t have to do anything! Unlike the work involved in fundraisers, this is an easy way to raise money for your school while giving your community an opportunity to show their support each time they write a check.

Participating Schools:

• St. Francis Gladiators
• Grand Traverse Academy
• Woodland School
• TBA ISD
• Buckley Bears
• Benzie Huskies
• Leland Comets
• Traverse City Titans
• Traverse City Trojans
• Kalkaska Blazers
• Suttons Bay Norsemen
• Forest Area Warriors
• Elk Rapids Elks
• Kingsley Stags
• Mancelona Ironmen
• Leelanau St. Mary's Eagles
• Glen Lake Lakers
• Northport Wildcats

Don’t see your school? Let us know! Getting started is easy! All we need is your school logo emailed to Robin Ahart and signed authorization by an administrator to use it. Click here to see what your Spirit Checks will look like. For more information about the program, please call Robin at 231-932-5035.

Deferred Compensation

A retirement savings plan offered exclusively to school employees, your credit union’s Deferred Compensation accounts are another excellent tool to start planning for your future today!

• Attractive rates
• No minimum balance to open
• Lower your taxable income by deferring a portion of your wages each pay period
• Pay no taxes on either your contributions or your earnings until you withdraw the funds
• No annual maintenance fees

For more information, contact Lindsey Erickson at 231-932-5038.

Past Grants Make a BIG Difference for Local Schools

In 2010, TBA Credit Union offered an Education Stimulus Grant to support innovative and creative programs in schools throughout the five-county regions. Four $5,000 grants were awarded to area educators and used for projects including a math lab and improved technology for the classroom. Projects were selected for funding based on how they enhanced classroom learning while fostering student's imaginations and creativity. Click here to see recipients.