Volunteering Opportunities: We are looking to set up new paying-in points in Alnwick and Haltwhistle as soon as possible - we've got the locations ready lined up - so and we need a create rota of volunteers to staff them. We also need more volunteers to help run our existing paying-in points in Allendale, Hadston, Hexham, Morpeth-Stobhill, Pegswood, Prudhoe and Seahouses. We're happy to establish further paying-in points, but need a core of local volunteers to do so. Get in touch if you'd like one set up near you.   The Credit Committee decide on loan applications.  They meet 2-3 times a month and work according to strict rules.  At least three people must be present when deciding a loan.  They also over­see the local loans officers.  Loans officers have the power to make loans up to £1000. We depend on grant funding at present, but we have just one person working on fundraising. Ideally a small team is needed to look for opportunities, complete applications, monitor grant-spending and write reports for the funders.

Would you like to become involved in running the credit union? You can offer yourself for election to the Board, or the Credit Committee or the Supervisory Committee. But there are lots of other jobs to be done as well. The Supervisory Committee is our internal audit.  They cover every­thing from passbook checks to monthly bank reconciliations, and also oversee loans made to Board members. We need at least three people on this Committee.  If you are independent-minded and have some knowledge of audit or accountancy, this is for you. Our Credit Control team work closely with the credit committee. They monitor overdue loans, and pursue them by telephone and with visits.  If necessary, they take legal action. Visits are made in pairs and we need both men and women volunteers in this role.