Community First recognized as one of the 2019 Best Places to Work in Jacksonville!

Dear Valued Member,

I hope your summer is off to an amazing start. Ours certainly is! I'd like to share some good news with you. Back in March, we participated in the Jacksonville Business Journal's 2019 Best Places to Work program. To be eligible, Quantum Workplace and the Jacksonville Business Journal asked our employees to complete a comprehensive employee engagement survey. It was their opportunity to provide honest feedback about our company's culture and work experience.

In April, we learned that our employees’ responses resulted in our being named as a finalist. Our name appeared next to some other great Jacksonville-based companies in the 'Extra Large' category (250+ Employees). In early May, we were asked us to submit some additional information. We shared material about our hiring process, company culture, work benefits, and Core Values. We talked about how our executives like to involve our employees in decision-making and process improvement initiatives, provide them with paid volunteer hours, and celebrate their successes. We told them how our Wellness Committee rewards our employees for participating in fitness challenges and provides them with free, onsite health and biometric screenings.

On May 23, we were honored to be not only recognized as one of the 2019 Best Places to Work in Jacksonville, but that out of the 10 finalists in our category, we were ranked #2 with an overall survey score of 91.10%!

This award is a testament to how we work together as a team, live and embody our Core Values each day, and make our members the focus of our credit union. We want our members to #LoveWhereYouBank and our employees to #LoveWhereYouWork. We feel that this award is a reflection of both expressions. As a nonprofit credit union, our members are our owners. There is no "us" or "them" when it comes to our members, our employees, or even the credit union itself. We are all in this together, much like a family. So thank you to everyone in the Community First family who made this award possible. ■

Community First Cares Foundation Partners with Investing in Kids for New 'Champions for Children' Grant Cycle

Calling all St. Johns county teachers! We are excited to announce that the Community First Cares Foundation has once again partnered with Investing in Kids - INK to open another 'Champions for Children' grant cycle for St. Johns county teachers who have innovative classroom ideas! Apply now through October 16, 2019. We will award 10 lucky teachers with $1,000 each. One of those winners will move on to receive the grand prize of an additional $2,500 at the Teacher of the Year Celebration on January 31, 2020. Spread the word and apply today! ■

Community First Cares Foundation Partners with Cultural Council to Create Entrepreneurial Resources for Artists

The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville is committed to enriching the lives of residents in Northeast Florida by investing in arts and culture. Our Core Value of 'Community Focus' places a special emphasis on activities that improve financial education. That's why our Foundation has partnered with the Cultural Council to help them present a special course for artists: Entrepreneurial Resources for Creatives: Artist Capacity Building Intensive. The course, "Learn the Art of Running a Business," will help local artists learn the fundamentals of business finances and more. Upon successful completion of the course, artists will have an opportunity to apply for one of ten $1,000 artist grants, funded by the Community First Cares Foundation! If you're a local artist, be sure to register for the course and sharpen your grant writing skills! The course takes place on July 13, 2019. ■

Business Member Spotlight: Scott Fortune | Fortune Law

Attorney Scott Fortune runs his own law firm, Fortune Law, in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Since 2014, Scott has been very pleased with the breadth of commercial services that Community First offers, but it's something more that keeps him here. "Community First has provided a single banker who has taken the time to establish a relationship with me. I've never had a banker in my building, period, until Community First came along. And I didn't know those kind of relationships were even possible." Watch the testimonial video below and read Scott's full story to learn more about the personal relationship he has with Community First. ■

Stories that will make you Love Where You Bank:

Jennifer Smith | The Giving Closet Project

You may be familiar with Jennifer Smith as one of our Community First Cares Foundation recipients. You may even know her story of founding The Giving Closet Project in Jacksonville for children living in poverty who need clothing, shoes, and hygiene items. Perhaps the most inspirational part of her story, though, is the motivation behind her work and her vision for the future. “It’s about developing the whole child – mind, body, soul, physical – and if a child’s basic needs aren’t being met, nothing else will happen. But if we can meet their basic needs – the clothing, the food, the shelter, it’s going to give them a self-esteem boost and they’ll get to hold their heads a little bit higher and hopefully they’ll say, ‘Okay, I can do this.’” ■

Jennifer Smith

Now - July 16 | UNF Orientation

Welcome new Ospreys! University of North Florida's new student orientation has started and runs through July 16. Parents: did you know that we have a Community First branch on the UNF campus? Stop by and learn more about the special products and services we offer just for UNF students! Don't have time to stop by? Text the word 'UNF' to 797979 to get more information or check out the link below. "Swoop" into school this summer and discover why thousands of Ospreys Love Where They Bank! ■

Now - Sept. 2 | Expedition: Dinosaur at the Museum of Science & History (MOSH)

Need a cool place to beat the heat this summer? You won't want to miss this traveling exhibition that celebrates and explores the fascinating world of dinosaurs and the hunt for their fossils in the early 20th Century! Expedition Dinosaur will feature large scale animatronic dinosaurs as well as many special exhibits. Membership perk alert! The MOSH has a special offer for all Community First Credit Union members and staff: Show a valid CFCU debit or credit card or employee ID to get $5 off a regular priced ticket from May 25, 2019 – Sept. 2, 2019. Limit 4 admissions per member/employee. ■

Night Owl Cinema Series at The Amp St. Augustine:

June 2 | The Wedding Singer // June 14 | Jumanji

The Amp St. Augustine and Community First Credit Union of Florida proudly announce the return of the free, family-friendly summer film series, “Community First Night Owl Cinema.” The wildly popular film series draws thousands of moviegoers who come to enjoy free, family-friendly films projected on a giant 18 by 32 foot screen on the Amp’s main stage. The series is free and open to all ages, with free parking and concessions available for purchase. ■

June 6 | Ready. Set. Grow Your Business. Seminar

Hear from a panel of local business experts on how to avoid common mistakes most businesses make on their journey to growth. This seminar is for businesses of all sizes and entrepreneurs in the Jacksonville area who are interested in learning how to sustainably grow. Between managing money, balancing the books, paying your vendors, and even knowing what the next step is, figuring out how to scale your business can be more time-consuming than making the sale. We know exactly how to fix it! During this event, our engaging panel will address common mistakes companies make along the way. Plus, enjoy free food and drinks provided by M Shack (Riverside) while you network with other local businesses. ■

June 11 | 2-for-1 at the Box Office for CFCU Members

Join us at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on June 11 for some Affordable Family Fun at a Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp game! Tickets will be 2-for-1 at the box office for Community First Credit Union members who use their CFCU credit or debit cards. And don't forget about the Jumbo Shrimp Debit Card, which gives card holders a 10% discount on merchandise, a free small fountain drink with any concession stand purchase, and $2 off tickets purchased on game day at the box office. We'll see you at the ball park! ■

June 20 | Jacksonville Mom Summer Park Hop Series

School is almost out and that means it’s time to "hop" to the park! We're proud to partner with Jacksonville Mom to present the 6th Annual Summer Park Hop Series! The first event is on Thursday, June 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Losco Park. The Park Hops are free and will take place at different parks in Jacksonville. Bring the kids and meet other moms from your neighborhood as you explore all of the great outdoor spaces that Jacksonville has to offer. We'll see you at the park! ■

June 15 | moveUP Money Experience for Teens

Join us Saturday, June 15 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville (home of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp) for a special moveUP Money Experience for Teens! This free financial workshop walks teens through managing money in the real world. During our moveUP Money Experience, students will: be given new identities including careers, families, and educational backgrounds; learn how to stick to a budget and create financial goals; and visit with real world merchants like car dealerships, realtors, and more! ■

Receive a Free Financial Health Score

One of the rewards of being a member at Community First Credit Union is that we will give you a complimentary assessment of your financial wellness. Think about it. When you go to the doctor, you learn your physical health numbers, such as cholesterol, blood pressure, and more. This essential information helps you track your progress and improve your health over time. The same should be true for your finances! Taking this quick survey will enroll you in our Savings Marathon and provide you with your current financial health score. While you're enrolled, we'll provide you with tips and tools to improve your score along the way. Complete one survey now and a final survey in November to see how your financial health score has improved over time. It's time to get financially fit! ■

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