Your credit union Member Card is a terrific traveling companion. Because you can use your Member Card for Interac purchases throughout Canada and the United States — and for cash withdrawals on the CIRRUS worldwide network — you don’t need to carry as much cash with you when you travel.

However, keep in mind that whenever you travel it’s a good idea not to keep your identification, Member Card, credit cards, travelers’ cheques, cash, and other important personal documentation in the same place. That way, if your luggage goes missing, or you lose your wallet or purse, you aren’t left with nothing.

As financial institutions owned by their members, Manitoba credit unions exist to serve the people of this province and the communities they live in. Each year, the province’s credit unions make enormous contributions to communities right across Manitoba in a variety of ways, and last year was certainly no different.

In 2010, the province’s 41 credit unions — along with Credit Union Central of Manitoba — made more than $2.6 million in donations to charitable organizations and community endeavors. Credit unions also contributed more than $126,000 in scholarships.

And the donations went beyond just the monetary variety; credit union system employees put in more than 13,000 hours of volunteer time to support community events and organizations that required manpower for specific projects.

The credit union system also contributes to the province by providing employment opportunities for Manitobans. Last year, more than 3,000 Manitobans held jobs at a credit union, and the total payroll of the system topped more than $160 million.

Finally, credit unions also contributed to their communities by giving excess profits back to their members through patronage payouts, both in the form of surplus shares and cash rebates.