Credit unions are committed to providing education and training for their members of all ages and they place particular importance on financial education for our nation’s youth. The concern for community is also an underlying principal by which all credit unions operate. These two principals are central to most credit unions’ missions today, and efforts to connect with young members through the Dollar Dog Kids' Club serves both of these objectives. However, it is often a challenge for credit union leaders to implement a program that engages children and encourages their youngest members to begin a life-long savings habit.

Everyone, whether they acknowledge it or not, is motivated to do something because of consequences or rewards for doing so. Children are no different. Though adults can persuade themselves to save over a long period of time for things they need by focusing on the goal, young children benefit most by smaller, more frequent incentives. The Dollar Dog Kids Club Program includes some ideas for how to achieve this at your credit union.

Choosing incentives to reward children for visiting branches, making deposits and saving money are as diverse as the numbers of credit unions using the program. Sometimes one Dollar Dog coin is provided for each visit to the credit union, for each third visit or for each $10.00 saved. Club members save up their coins to “purchase” prizes at Dollar Dog displays in branches or turn them in for pencils, notebooks, backpacks, toys, watches and other desired rewards.

Sometimes younger children (kindergarten through second grade) benefit from smaller prizes given for each visit, needing more frequent reminders, with larger incentives provided following the third visit or accumulated deposit amount. Other credit unions ring bells or play songs as young members visit the branches to make their deposits, making it a fun and rewarding occasion. There are displays with young members’ smiling faces pictured next to their hero, Dollar Dog.

Often the best start is to ask your own young members what they want to “purchase” with their Dollar Dog coins and be sure to provide the most popular rewards. Whatever your organization chooses to do to acknowledge and reinforce the savings habit in your Dollar Dog Kids Club members, the overall purpose remains the same; provide a fun, interactive and educational experience that will create life-long devoted members of your credit union.

	We should get together for St. Patrick's Day!

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