[Sdpg] Permaculture Credit Union LOAN Info and Membership Pamphlet

Thu Feb 6 18:12:20 PST 2003

hi everyone.
         Once or twice a year I send out to the Permaculture Community an 
update on the PCU.

         Below is a copy of Permaculture Credit Union Pamphlet, could you 
share with folks coming to PC courses you offer and also with folks within 
your community. The Pamphlet will help people in the PC community to 
understand how important an institution the Permaculture Credit Union is 
for Permaculture here in the USA..  Also remember the Credit Union is 
making loans for folks taking Permaculture Courses and more.
         The Permaculture Credit Union has been recognized by the Community 
Investing Campaign , a project of the Social Investment Forum Foundation 
and Coop America as one of 10 organizations "best exemplify the building of 
economic opportunity and hope for individuals through community investing" 
(see fact sheet at www.communityinvest.org containing info on all the 10 
organizations honored)
         “We are deeply gratified to have this kind of national attention 
focused on the work of the Permaculture Credit Union, which is dedicated to 
improving the lives of individuals and communities through a number of 
means, including environmentally focused lending,” Permaculture Credit 
Union Chair member, Susan Coulter said.   “By concentrating on loans that 
benefit the environment, we’re making an investment not only for ourselves 
but for generations to come.”

Social Investment Forum Foundation President David Berge said:   “We are 
honoring the Permaculture Credit Union today because it is an outstanding 
example of how community investing dollars can transform the lives of 
thousands of people in the U.S..   Americans who want to make a change in 
the lives of others need to understand that community investing is a 
powerful and personal way to get the job done.   Thanks to the PCU and 
other organizations like it, we are cleaning up our environment and 
improving our planet one community at a time.”

         Also the PCU is partnering with a Credit Union in California and 
will soon be able to make loans on mortgages, rainwater catchment, home 
energy efficiency systems, solar heating and electricity systems, 
landscape, and car loans. We offer a 0.75 % discount on loans for earth 
friendly projects and Earth friendly car discounts: two types are 
available, .75% for vehicles with 35mpg or higher average and 1.5% for 
vehicles with 45mpg or higher average(which is usually the hybrid cars).

                                         wes roe PCU Board Member California

PERMACULTURE CREDIT UNION -- COME ON IN
Loans immediately available to members from any state

We now have  members 413 and  in total assets 2,054,603 . Join the only 
Credit Union that is based on Permaculture Principles and Ethics. Signature 
loans for amounts up to $5,000 at competitive rates and shared-secured 
loans at even cheaper rates up to $100,000 are available immediately to 
members. Anyone who has taken a Permaculture course, is a member of an 
affiliated Permaculture Institute, or believes in the Permaculture ethics 
is eligible to become a member for $5 membership fee plus a $50 share deposit.

Teachers/Organizers we can help you by offering credit-worthy students the 
ability to borrow money to pay for Permaculture courses. Contact the PCU to 
inquire about these and other loan programs.
. Please call us at 505 954 3479 or toll free 1-866-954-3479 or FAX 505 424 
1624. Visit us online at www.pcuonline.org, email perma at pcuonline.org, or 
write to us.
Permaculture Credit Union
4250 Cerrillos Road
PO Box 29300
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87592-9300

Permaculture Credit Union
“Membership Information”

Permaculture Credit Union Mission Statement

We pool the financial resources of the people who believe in the ethics of 
Permaculture and strive to redirect those resources to Earth-friendly and 
socially responsible loans and investments.

The credit union promotes thrift among its members and provides credit at 
reasonable rates.  It creates the opportunity for members to control the 
use of their money and contribute to the revitalization of their community 
and the planet.

Q. What is a Credit Union?

A. After successive years of bad weather during the mid-19 th century, 
European farmers needed a way to save their farms from foreclosure by urban 
banks.  To do this they formed groups to pool their savings and lend to 
each other.  The first credit union in the US was organized in 1909. 
However, it took a severe drought, the Great Depression, and the courage of 
President Franklin D. Roosevelt to stand up to the banks and create the 
Federal Credit Union Act of 1934.

Credit Unions continue to be a cooperative of individuals with a common 
bond who save their money and make loans.  Credit Unions are member-owned, 
not-for-profit institutions.  Banks are corporations operated for 
profit.  Credit Unions are regulated by the chartering state and the 
Federal government and, as with banks, all deposits are Federally insured 
for up to $100,000.

Q. How is the Permaculture Credit Union (PCU) different from other Credit 
Unions?

A. The PCU is a credit union dedicated to the ethics of permaculture:
·       Care of the Earth
·       Care of People
·       Reinvestment of surplus to benefit the Earth and its inhabitants

Q. Why should I invest my money in the PCU?

A. Permaculture Credit Union is composed of members who have made the 
decision to invest their money in a financial institution that follows a 
code of ethics rather than the common investment practice of only 
considering the bottom line. We place our funds in the local community. We 
choose not to invest in destructive technologies, exploitative industries, 
or insensitive social practices.

Q.  How does the loan policy of the PCU reflect Permaculture Ethics?

A.  We are currently offering loan discounts for fuel-efficient 
automobiles.  We support energy conservation through second mortgage loans 
that encourage solar heating, photovoltaic energy systems, building 
weatherization, rainwater collection, conservation, organic farming and 
gardening, and much more.

Q. Can anyone become a member of the PCU?

A. Yes as long as you belong to our “field of membership” which includes 
those persons who subscribe to the ethics of permaculture. If you have 
completed a recognized permaculture design course or are a member of an 
affiliated Permaculture Institute, you are pre-qualified.

Q.  How do I become a member?

A.  You can join by paying a membership fee of $5.00 and opening a share 
account with a minimum deposit of $50.00. Accounts earn interest when the 
amount on deposit is over $300.

Q.  Does the PCU pay higher interest rates on accounts than banks?

A.  Currently we base our rates on the national averages for banks, which 
means we match bank rates.  Once we are fully established we expect to have 
much more favorable rates than banks. Please call us for our current rates.

Q.  Where does the money to operate the PCU come from?

A. We operate as a not-for-profit corporation. All money for the operation 
for the Permaculture Credit Union comes from interest on loans, investment, 
and our start-up donations.  We charge fees for some services.  We also pay 
out interest on share savings and Certificates of Deposit.  The difference 
between what we charge and what we pay out as interest on deposits, along 
with donations from individuals and grants from foundations, is what we use 
to operate. Surplus is distributed to members in the form of dividends or 
adjusted rates.

Q.  What services are available from the PCU?

A.  The Permaculture Credit Union is currently offering share (savings) 
accounts, certificates of deposit, and several types of loans.  As our 
membership and loan programs grow, we will add those services that our 
membership requests as funding allows.

Q.  Who runs the Permaculture Credit Union?

A.  The Permaculture Credit Union is run by a volunteer board of directors 
who are elected by the membership.  We have a paid CEO/ General Manager and 
part-time office manager; member volunteers do the remaining work.

Q.  How can I get more information on the Permaculture Credit Union?

A.  Please call us at 505 954 3479 or FAX 505 424 1624.  Visit us online at 
www.pcuonline.org, email perma at pcuonline.org, or write to us.

Permaculture Credit Union
4250 Cerrillos Road
PO Box 29300
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87592-9300

PERMACULTURE CREDIT UNION -- COME ON IN
Loans immediately available to members from any state

We now have  members 413 and  in total assets 2,054,603 . Join the only 
Credit Union that is based on Permaculture Principles and Ethics. Signature 
loans for amounts up to $5,000 at competitive rates and shared-secured 
loans at even cheaper rates up to $100,000 are available immediately to 
members. Anyone who has taken a Permaculture course, is a member of an 
affiliated Permaculture Institute, or believes in the Permaculture ethics 
is eligible to become a member for $5 membership fee plus a $50 share deposit.
Teachers/Organizers we can help you by offering credit-worthy students the 
ability to borrow money to pay for Permaculture courses. Contact the PCU to 
inquire about these and other loan programs.
.
Please call us at 505 954 3479 or toll free 1-866-954-3479 or FAX 505 424 
1624. Visit us online at www.pcuonline.org, email perma at pcuonline.org, or 
write to us.
Permaculture Credit Union
4250 Cerrillos Road
PO Box 29300
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87592-9300