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We’re a member-owned credit union with more than a century of putting people and communities first. Alterna Savings and our wholly-owned subsidiary, Alterna Bank, provide full financial services including personal and business banking, to over 120,000 people in Ontario and Quebec.

What makes us truly different are the strong values we uphold and our devotion to the communities we serve. Our goal is to empower our members through financial planning, education, personal money management, micro-lending, and much more.

With 22 branches in Ontario and two in Gatineau, Quebec, we’re sure to be nearby. Or, bank with us 24/7 wherever you are with our online or telephone banking service. And, we’re part of THE EXCHANGE® Network, giving you access to over 2,100 ABMs nationwide. When you have a question or need to speak with a live person, our knowledgeable and friendly TeleService staff are glad to help.

Whether you have a little money or a lot, we can always help you find a smarter way to make your money work for you.

Who is Alterna andwhat makes us

different?

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Alterna as a Corporate Citizen

The 5 Pillars That Keep Us Strong As a co-operative financial institution, our commitment to supporting the communities we serve is the foundation we are built on. We have a long history of community and social responsibility activities going back to our earliest days.

Alterna Savings has committed to contributing 2% of our pre-tax profits to the communities we serve, as an Imagine Canada Caring Company. One percent of our commitment is provided through our Community Donations Program, and one percent through sponsorships and other activities.

We understand that corporate social responsibility (CSR) goes beyond traditional philanthropy, and as such, we’ve adopted five CSR pillars on which we focus our efforts:

Economic DevelopmentIn addition to supporting great local causes, we help support economic development in our communities through investing in other co-operatives, non-profits and small businesses. We know that small businesses are a driving force in the health and success of the local economy. And, we share similar values to many of the non-profit organizations in our own backyard.

Credit unions have a long history of supporting and investing in their local economies. A large portion of members’ deposits into Alterna Savings are reinvested in the form of loans and mortgages to individuals, organizations and businesses in Ontario.

We also take our commitment further through the Community Micro-Loan Program. This program provides credit to micro-entrepreneurs to start and build their businesses. By providing loans to individuals and businesses that would not otherwise qualify for credit, we’re helping people become self-sufficient contributors to our economy and community.

The true impact of this program is evident in the results of the study we published in 2010 with the help of the Carleton Centre for Community Innovation. The study, “Strengthening our community by empowering individuals”, can be read in its entirety on alterna.ca.

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Through services tailored for non-profit organizations, housing co-operatives and other co-operatives, Alterna does its part to make it easier for those organizations to thrive and support others.

Financial LiteracyKnowledge is power. Ensuring our members are knowledgeable about managing their money makes us a stronger institution and empowers our members. We love to share our expertise, demystifying banking terms and jargon, and helping people make better and smarter financial decisions.

We publish articles on financial topics in our member newsletter and on our website. We also hold periodic education seminars on a range of relevant topics like homebuying, financial planning and investing. We launched our Money Management Program in 2010, providing our members with one-on-one budgeting and financial management advice from our Personal Money Coaches.

In 2010 Alterna Savings was invited to participate in the consultation phase of the Government of Canada’s Task Force on Financial Literacy. We’re pleased and very excited to see a number of our recommendations included in the final strategy document published by the Task Force. We’re now determining how Alterna can play a meaningful role and contribute to the intent of the Task Force recommendations. Educating our members and others in handling finances, improving credit and effective budgeting are one of our strengths, and we firmly believe everyone benefits.

Transparency and AccountabilityWe’re accountable to you, our members, for everything we do. In a world where organizations hide behind an opaque veil, Alterna does the opposite. We were an early adopter of the triple bottom-line reporting practice, with our first social audit performed in 1993, and we continue to be transparent in our communications and reporting to you.

To find out how we did in 2010, be sure to check out our 2010 Annual Summary, which includes key details about our accountability measures. Ask to see a hard copy in your local branch, or read it online at alterna.ca.

We believe that consumers have the right to make informed choices about where they’ll spend and invest their hard-earned dollars. Organizational transparency is just one more way Alterna protects our member and community interests.

Environmental StewardshipToday, many organizations “green wash” their business practices. At Alterna, we practice what we preach. We’re working hard to reduce our carbon footprint by using eco-approved suppliers and implementing waste reduction and recycling practices in our offices. We’re doing our part to preserve our planet – for now, and future generations.

PhilanthropyLike you, we’re part of the communities we serve. We live, eat and breathe in the same space. And, we love to give back. In fact, approximately 85 cents from every dollar at Alterna is reinvested into our local communities through loans that stay in our neighbourhoods. We also contribute through sponsorships, our community donation program, scholarships and more.

Check out our Spare Change program – it’s a super-easy way to support community and neighbourhood causes. When you sign up for Spare Change, once a month we’ll “sweep” the change from your account and deposit it to a pool of funds of your choice, whether homelessness, environmental sustainability or children’s issues. Then, a couple of times each year, our Donations Committee (made up of staff, members and Board of Directors) distribute the funds. For a complete list of 2010 recipients, please see the Donations section in this report, or read it online at alterna.ca.

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Our communities are our passion – after all, we live and work here too. Supporting local causes not only helps make our communities stronger, it makes us stronger as well. As a company, and as individuals.

In 2010, we continued our tradition of putting communities first, creating access to banking, healthy food, affordable housing, education and more. Here are a few highlights.

Access to BankingACCESS Community Capital FundAlterna Savings has been a key partner of ACCESS Community Capital Fund, helping entrepreneurs in Toronto’s communities obtain financing often not available from other sources.

ACCESS is a registered charity, relying on partners like Alterna to be the administrative backbone in delivering the loans. With Alterna, ACCESS clients receive a variety of our financial products and services. We also contribute directly to ACCESS operations, participating in loan review committees and offering our micro-finance expertise.

Like us, ACCESS believes that communities play a significant role in supporting small local businesses and entrepreneurs, and we’re proud to be an advocate for and partner in their cause.

Access to Healthy FoodToronto People Living With Aids FoundationEarly in the year, we were contacted by the Toronto People Living With Aids Foundation, the largest provider of direct support services for people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada. Their organization was in need of a vehicle to accommodate their Food for Life program, which delivers food to HIV/AIDS people in need.

Alterna was pleased to contribute to their cause, and make a difference in the community.

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Access to Affordable HousingCentretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation (CCOC)The CCOC is a non-profit housing organization that provides affordable housing to over 2,000 residents. When they were presented with the opportunity to purchase a property for preservation as affordable housing, they found themselves dealing with a quick turnaround that the usual lenders couldn’t deal with. That’s where we came in. Within two weeks of starting the process, all the documents were ready and the funds available!

Alterna was pleased to ‘step up’ when needed to help this important cause.

Access to EducationAlterna Social ScholarshipThe Alterna Social Economy Scholarship in Honour of Haswell B. Iron allows us to invest in the future of our business community and support our young leaders of tomorrow’s social economy. 2010’s Scholarship was awarded to Tereza Safarian for her outstanding efforts.

The Scholarship, granted in partnership with York University and the York University Foundation, is awarded to a fourth year York University Business and Society student in the Social Economy stream who achieved top academic standing in their third year. During their fourth year, as a student ambassador for the program promoting awareness and knowledge of social economy, the student takes a leadership role in a project, program or event that directly contributes to the greater awareness of the social economy on the York Campus.

They were really

eager to do business

with the non-profit

sector, and they sure

delivered for us.

- Centretown Citizens Ottawa

Corporation

Food for Life Representatives

We’re so grateful for your support of people living with HIV/AIDS. We’re now able to serve some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.- Toronto People Living with Aids Foundation Food for Life

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Economic The economic health of our communities is vital to the success of a community. Alterna recognizes the contribution that small businesses and entrepreneurs make to the local economy, and we’re here to support these micro-businesses through the Micro-Loan Program.

Access to CapitalCommunity Micro-Loan Program2010 marked the 10th anniversary of Alterna Savings’ Micro-Loan Program, targeted at ‘micro’ entrepreneurs whose primary source of income is social assistance or employment insurance benefits. We knew the program had helped local entrepreneurs and small businesspeople start and expand their businesses, and had a significant impact on their lives. We just didn’t have numbers to show for sure.

To put our faith to the test, we asked the Carleton Centre for Community Innovation to conduct a comprehensive study of the program. We were delighted to find the outcome of the study provided solid reassurance that the program has had a measurable, positive impact on the lives of the participants.

Youth Micro-Loan ProgramWhen the City of Toronto and other community partners approached us to participate in their Youth Micro-Loan Program, we jumped at the chance. The Youth Micro-Loan Program is targeted to 18-24 year-olds from priority neighbourhoods in the Greater Toronto Area, and is intended to help them build the skills they need to start and run a business.

The program launched in July 2010, with the inaugural set of young entrepreneurs. They attended rigorous leadership, business, and marketing education sessions, and created detailed business plans. Once complete, the candidates each presented their business idea “Dragon’s Den”-style to a panel of top local businesspeople. On graduation, the candidates will have the opportunity to apply for an Alterna Savings Micro-Loan to help get their businesses off the ground.

They’re not only

building better lives for

themselves and their families,

they’re contributing to the

strength and betterment of

our communities.

– Alterna Community

Micro-Loan Program Study

We’re proud to share our experience and expertise in community micro-finance in support of this important and innovative City of Toronto project. We’ve seen how micro-lending in support of small business development can change lives, and it’s wonderful to see this program reaching out to Toronto’s youth community. – John Lahey, Alterna Savings

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“Meeting Edith was an enriching experience for me and others from our credit union. She and I share a common sense of pride in our work, thanks to the way that we are able to enrich the lives of our members and community.” – Susan Henry, Alterna Savings

Co-opsHelping Co-ops

Being a co-operative means we automatically have common ground with other co-ops: improving the lives of people through co-operative action. Alterna Savings works with a number of other co-ops, including the Canadian Co-operative Association and the Ontario Co-operative Association to do just that. Here are a few highlights from 2010.

Access to KnowledgeCanadian Co-operative Association Women’s Mentorship ProgramTaking community involvement to a global level, The Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) created the Women’s Mentorship Program. The Mentorship Program enables women employed by credit unions in developing countries access to professional development at credit unions right here at home.

In 2010, it’s a sad reality that few women hold leadership positions in the world’s financial sector. Without professional development and ongoing education, women in developing countries stand little chance for advancement, thereby holding back not just their own careers, but the development of financial institutions and practices in their countries as well.

Over the course of a month, women credit union managers work side-by-side with Canadian credit union managers in their daily tasks, plus attend leadership training.

In addition to hosting a workshop on marketing and communications for all of the 2010 participants, Alterna Savings proudly hosted one of CCA’s Women’s Mentorship participants, Edith Awaula, Manager at Twisania Savings and Credit Co-operative in Kamulu, Uganda. Edith’s been with the Twisania SACCO for eight years – as long as the credit union has been in business.

Edith joined the Mentorship Program hoping to develop her portfolio management skills, as well as improve her product development, delivery and service quality skills. Edith feels the most significant aspect

of her position is being able to empower grassroots entrepreneurs financially, and improving the livelihood of members through affordable and sustainable financial services. Alterna Savings’ Susan Henry hosted Edith during her stay here, graciously opening her home and heart. Susan and Alterna Savings are confident the skills and training Edith gained during her time with us will benefit her community and credit union.

Edith Awaula, Uganda

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Access to Brighter FuturesCo-operative Development Foundation of Canada People have been using co-operatives to build brighter futures for their families and communities for years. The Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF) has been raising money since 1947. The funds enable the Canadian Co-operative Association to work alongside communities in developing countries to build and sustain credit unions.

In 2010, Alterna’s support of the CDF helped the Gujarat State of Self Employed Women’s Association Co-operative Federation (SEWA) find employment for 306 of India’s poorest women, helping them build a better life for their families. Our support also helped the Rwandan National Association of Agricultural Co-operatives (UGAMA) provide training to over 3,000 rice and maize farmers increase equality between men and women.

Collectively we can bring hope, training and programs to those that need them most.

Co-operative Young Leaders (CYL)In partnership with the Credit Union Charitable Foundation, Alterna sponsored 8 teens to attend Co-operative Young Leaders (CYL) camp, a truly awesome, week-long, summer camp experience for teens.

The Ontario Co-operative Association’s CYL camp blends the fun of summer camp - like campfires, roasted marshmallows and fireside ghost stories – with the opportunity to develop new friends, social and leadership skills. While at CYL, young people also find and foster new self-confidence, create new support networks, discover new ideas and perspectives. And, they learn about co-ops and co-operative principals.

CYL brings young people from throughout Ontario together to learn, grow, and have fun. Along the way, amazing things happen—a touch of magic you’ll only find at CYL.

Co-operative Housing Federation of TorontoIn 2010, Alterna was proud to support the Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto’s (CHFT) Diversity Scholarship Program. The program was developed for people living in CHFT member housing co-ops that demonstrate commitment to diversity in their community.

Our support of the program helped the CHFT award 10 - $5,000 scholarships to applicants for their post-secondary education. To-date, 120 CHFT Diversity Scholarship recipients have been awarded half a million dollars by the CHFT, providing much-needed access to a brighter future for these people.

CYL Participants

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Access to Financial Control

Money Management Program Alterna’s Money Management Program exists to help people do just that: manage their money more effectively and make better financial decisions. Our Personal Money Coaches work with our members one-on-one to overcome their personal Money Villains, helping them set up realistic budgets and unveiling ways to save that they never thought possible.

We’re committed to educating our members about financial matters, no matter how big or small.

One of our members came to me after the passing of one of her parents. Years of being a primary caregiver for her elderly parents had taken its toll – with so many other things to take care of and worry about, she hadn’t looked after herself. Ready for a new beginning in control of her finances, she jumped into the Money Management Program.

After meeting with her and discussing her goals, we came up with a realistic, easy-to-follow plan that considered both her short- and long-term objectives, some of which she never thought she’d be able to accomplish. She couldn’t believe she could reduce her debt while still saving money and achieve some of her dreams.

She was so impressed by our Money Management program, she’s since told her family and friends about it. Knowing that I can make that difference in a member’s life as a personal money coach makes me extremely proud of what I do.

- Aida, Alterna Savings Personal Money Coach

Our Personal Money Coaches are on the front lines, standing beside our members for their entire journey, providing the education and tools they need to take control of their day-to-day finances.

The success of our Money Management Program upholds our corporate focus on member education and Financial Literacy. Alterna provides this service free-of-charge to our members, in the firm belief that everyone should know the ins and outs of finances and credit in order to maintain control over their financial future.

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We’ve shared some of our member’s feedback and Personal Money Coach stories here to demonstrate the impact our program has had on their lives.

In 2010, the federal government also recognized the importance of Financial Literacy and education. Because of the emphasis Alterna places on member education and our Money Management Program, we were invited to participate in the Federal Task Force for Financial Literacy.

We’re pleased to share with you that many of our recommendations were included in the Task Force’s final document, and look forward to having much more to say in the coming year. To read Alterna’s submission, visit alterna.ca under “Community”.

I think Alterna’s Money Management Program is MARVELLOUS, and one that is very much needed in today’s society. Speaking personally, I have found your instruction, guidance and support to have been very, very helpful to me. I believed I was a fairly good money manager, but I KNEW I could do better, and I also knew I needed help to dig myself out of one or two challenging scenarios I found myself in.

You are challenging me to take a closer look at my finances and to try to find ways to do a better job of looking after my household finances. It’s not always easy, and it’s not always comfortable to do this, particularly when I figure that at my age I should KNOW how to do this. But I’m making improvements, and your help and guidance has been invaluable to me as I work my way through this.

– M.H. Elliott, Alterna Savings Member

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Access to Life-Changing

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Idol In partnership with the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA), Alterna Savings runs the annual CSR Idol Award. This is an opportunity for Alterna staff and members to vote for the Alterna representative who they believe demonstrates leadership in his or her community. Past winners are Francine Dick, Nikki Reid and Christine Racine.

Employees have the opportunity to nominate themselves or a co-worker who they feel is a living example of co-operative values. A panel of judges then reviews the applications and narrows the selection down to a maximum of three worthy candidates.

The nominee with the highest number of votes is awarded a trip to a developing country with the CCA. Past locations include the Philippines, Mongolia and Uganda. During the trip, the Idol works with a co-operative and shares his or her knowledge and experience.

Giraffes, Elephants & Hippos – Oh MY! Alterna’s “CSR Idol” Visits UgandaAlterna employee Christine Racine was voted the 2010 CSR Idol and her reward was a trip to Kampala, Uganda (a developing country) with the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA). Her first taste of Uganda’s capital city was unbelievably chaotic traffic. Coming from North America, “nothing can prepare you for traffic in Kampala”, joked Christine.

Christine met up with Ingrid Fisher, Africa Director for the CCA’s international development agency, who manages the CCA’s programs including educational and financial support for new and growing co-operatives in five African countries. Christine also met a CCA volunteer, who shares his financial knowledge as a former CEO of a Canadian credit union to help guide and support to Uganda’s credit unions.

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Unlike Canada where credit unions are legally protected against major bad debts, credit union regulations in Uganda are very loose, resulting in financial instability. Some credit unions lend out more funds than they have on deposit, and many deal with loan default rates in the 20-30% range.

While the CCA and UCA can’t change Uganda’s laws, they’re working together to implement guidelines to prevent credit unions from taking on these high levels of risk. The knowledge shared in these visits is invaluable to future sustainability of Uganda’s credit union system.

Christine also visited a growing agricultural co-op in the city of Jinja, with support from the CCA

and UCA. Through education and financial assistance, the members of the co-op are developing value-added processes that increase their income. For example,

rather than simply selling pineapples fresh when in season, members have developed pineapple wine that sells per bottle five times what a single pineapple does.

Florence, one of the agriculture co-op’s members, has been able to increase her standard of living and send two children to university thanks to her involvement in the co-operative. This is a shining example of the difference that the CCA is making in Uganda.

When Christine’s safari expedition was unexpectedly cancelled, one of her hosts wanted to showcase his country’s beauty, and made alternate arrangements. Christine was sent off into the wilderness, where she went on camping adventures and encountered monkeys, baboons, warthogs, elephants, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, water buffalo, and more!

“It was a wonderful end to my experience in Uganda,” exclaimed Christine. “The people, the work of the CCA and the country’s beauty—I will never forget it.”

SACCO People’s Own Bank, Uganda

Christine Racine (left) and Ingrid Fisher (right)

Experiences

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Environmental Stewardship –

For Your Family And Ours

In 2009, Alterna began monitoring our consumption in an effort to reduce our carbon footprint. Since we’d rather leave our mark through our support of people and communities – rather than contributing to landfills - we implemented a waste reduction and recycling program company-wide.We also switched to an eco-friendly printing company for our printed material.

Even our coffee cups are ‘green’ – every staff member has a reusable mug for their daily fair trade java.

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Helping others help others is one of the things we do best at Alterna Savings. We proudly sponsor community events, organizations and other co-operatives. With our support, great accomplishments are made in community economic development, financial literacy, and more.

In 2010, the following organizations were helped by our Corporate Sponsorships and Donations:

2010 Sponsorships and donations

Total = $240,621.50

Académie de la danse $ 2,600.00Acorn Canada $ 2,500.00 Aqueta $ 1,200.00Buddies in Bad Times $ 3,500.00Canadian Community Investment Network (CCINC) $ 4,250.00Canadian Worker Coop Federation $ 1,000.00Carleton University $ 15,000.00Canadian Co-operative Association $ 5,000.00Centre for Social Innovation $ 15,000.00 Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto $ 13,200.00Canadian Housing Federation of Canada $ 3,937.50 Covenant House $ 2,000.00 Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre $ 2,000.00École Secondaire Catholique School $ 100.00 FACE (Family Abuse Crisis Exchange) $ 1,000.00 Farm Radio International $ 160.00 Fondation du CSSS de Gatineau $ 1,340.00 Foodshare $ 1,200.00 Gary Gillam Award for Corporate Social Responsibility (Alterna Savings & Central1) $ 1,250.00Golden Apple Award (Majic 100 & Alterna Savings) $ 15,000.00Hôpital Montfort $ 250.00Intelligence Hypothécaire $ 1,000.00Learning Enrichment Foundation $ 5,000.00 Leucan $ 1,000.00 Maple Wood High School $ 50.00 La Fondation des maladies du cœur du Québec $ 250.00

MicroSkills $ 5,000.00Maison Mathieu-Froment-Savoie $ 9,500.00National Quality Institute $ 2,500.00New Beginnings $ 500.00 Ontario Co-operative Association $ 4,884.00 Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation $ 30,000.00Ottawa Sri Lankan Musical Fans $ 250.00 Retired Teachers of Ontario $ 500.00 Salon de la femme $ 12,500.00 Scarborough Movies in the Park $ 6,000.00 Sistering $ 5,000.00Social Investment Organization (SIO) $ 8,500.00Canadian Mental Health Association & Subway Brunet $ 250.00 Symposium Gatineau en Couleur $ 750.00 The Canadian CED Network $ 1,500.00 Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support Programs Inc. $ 500.00Toronto Business Development Centre $ 2,000.00Toronto Renewable Energy Co-operative $ 1,000.00United Way Campaign $ 10,000.00University of Ottawa $ 20,000.00Windfall Basics $ 5,000.00Wychwood Open Door $ 200.00Young Social Entrepreneurs of Canada (YSEC): Equitable Projects $ 1,500.00 YMCA-YWCA: National Capital Region $ 10,000.00 YWCA: National Capital Region Women of Distinction $ 1,000.00YWCA: Toronto Women of Distinction $ 3,000.00

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Alterna Do it for Dad! Every June for the last 12 years, Alterna Savings employees, members, their families and other participants take over the streets of Ottawa to “Do it for Dad!”, a 10 km and 5km Run plus 2 km Family Walk.

Why Do it for Dad!? According to the Canadian Cancer Society, 45% of men will develop cancer in their lifetime – our family members, friends and co-workers.

June 2010’s Alterna Do it for Dad! Event raised an astounding $355,000 for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation - $31,151 from Alterna Teams! Proceeds support prostate cancer research, patient care, education and capital needs.

Alterna DIFD volunteers

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Winter Biz Camp In the winter of 2010, Alterna sponsored a unique after-school activity for teens, Alterna Biz Camp. Hosted in partnership with the Learning Enrichment Foundation, Biz Camp gave 15 youth the opportunity to learn about running their own business. Over a two-month period, the participants were educated about marketing, accounting, business planning and more.

At the end of Biz Camp, the group held a very successful ‘garage sale’. After just two hours, the students walked away with a $200 profit and tons of pride.

New Beginnings – Transforming lives, one family at a time!In 2010, Alterna sponsored New Beginnings Support Program - a charitable agency devoted to improving the lives of “in need” women and children. By empowering these women to become more confident, self-sufficient, career-oriented and employable, New Beginnings not only helps them create a better life for themselves and their children, but for their communities.

New Beginnings takes a holistic approach to personal development, with the strong belief that simply having a job isn’t enough. They help people make permanent, long-term changes through support, coaching and training in order to live a successful, independent life.

One of the keys to the program’s success is that we’re enabling our youth to do something that they’re passionate about. It’s not about just getting a job – it’s about helping them design and create a life.– Learning Enrichment Fund

Alterna’s staff are generous, as

the 2010 United Way campaign

proves. Our staff contributed

$52,420 in 2010 through

fundraisers alone! Add in the

158 volunteer hours, and it’s a

win-win all around.

Staff FundraisersAlterna Classic Golf Tournament $ 29,000.00Al terna Do It For Dad! Run and

Family Walk $ 31,151.00 United Way Campaign $ 27,351.22United Way Payroll Giving $ 25,077.00Windfall: Wear White for Windfall $ 492.77

Total = $113,071.99

Corporate Fundraising Staff Volunteer Hours = 636

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Alterna Spare Change Program – Because every penny countsIf you’ve ever thrown your spare change in a coffee tin, you know how quickly it adds up. Alterna Savings’ Spare Change Program works on the same principle. The difference is that your spare change goes toward some great, local causes, where every penny really does count.

When you sign up to participate in the Spare Change Program, you’re supporting children, homelessness, or environmental issues - worthy causes that are right in your own back yard.

Every month we “sweep” the change in your bank account into one of three pools of your choice: issues related to homelessness, environmental sustainability, or children’s issues. Once a year, our Donations Committee comprised of Alterna Savings’ employees, members and Board of Directors, distribute the funds that have been accumulating throughout the year to the organizations we’ve selected to support.

It’s a quick, easy way to support beneficial community programs in your neighbourhood.

Project Wildfire/Centre for Social Innovation (Toronto)We know that our future lies with today’s youth – tomorrow’s political leaders, business executives, and entrepreneurs. Alterna Savings is proud to support Project Wildfire, a Centre for Social Innovation initiative supporting social entrepreneurship among Toronto’s diverse, underprivileged youth. A competition to identify sustainable small businesses that have a high potential for making change, Project Wildfire combines workshops, financial awards and business mentorship, building toward a social enterprise movement in the area’s underserved neighbourhoods. To learn more, visit socialinnovation.ca.

Ottawa Habitat for HumanityWhen the Ottawa Habitat for Humanity bought back a home from a previous owner, they knew the new family wouldn’t fit - squeezing a family of 7 into a home built for a family of 5 was out of the question. Not only were renovations needed, including finishing the basement, they needed two more bedrooms. Funds raised from our Spare Change program were earmarked to help with the retrofit of the home, adding the much-needed space. Visit habitatncr.com for more information.

Community

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North Bay Habitat for HumanityAlterna’s North Bay branch has been a supporter of the local Habitat for Humanity for years. In fact, a new member at the branch is on the Board of Directors for the North Bay chapter. This has opened new opportunities for us to help expand the education and leadership of the local Habitat’s group and sponsors.

We look forward to helping North Bay’s Habitat for Humanity grow and thrive.

Alterna Bank Community Involvement Our subsidiary, Alterna Bank, also has a big community heart. In fact, through community involvement in the last year, Alterna Bank has helped raise a total of $80,000 for La maison Mathieu-Froment-Savoie. A non-profit organization, La maison Mathieu-Froment-Savoie palliative care facility provides support to terminally ill people and their families in order to make their final moments memorable and manageable. For more information please visit www.mmfs.org.

Through its year-round hard work, Alterna Bank staff has helped another valuable cause in the community, Moisson Outaouais, the largest food bank serving the Gatineau area. Stéphane Pleau, Alterna Bank’s Vice-President, Operations, serves on Moisson Outaouais’ Board of Directors, and is a strong contributor to the organization’s many needs as they establish a new distribution center to service the region.

Donations

Community Donations and Spare Change Program

Total = $57,870.00

Canada Agricultural Museum Foundation $ 2,500.00 Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre $ 2,000.00 Canadian Paraplegic Association $ 500.00 Common Ground Co-operative $ 2,500.00 Community Laundry Co-operative $ 1,400.00 Fondation des Services de Santé d’Aylmer $ 2,000.00 Habitat for Humanity, Ottawa $ 2,500.00 Metro Toronto Movement for Literacy $ 500.00 Pass the Torch $ 2,000.00 Project Wildfire/Centre for Social Innovation $ 2,000.00 Sexual Assault Support Centre $ 1,500.00 Silent Voice Canada $ 2,500.00 Soroptimist International Toronto $ 2,500.00 Working Skills Centre $ 1,500.00 Wychwood Open Door Drop-in Centre $ 1,500.00 Amethyst Women’s Addiction Centre $ 2,000.00 Cecil Community Centre $ 2,000.00

CompuCorps Mentoring $ 2,400.00 Eagle Centre $ 1,500.00 FCJ Refugee Centre $ 1,500.00 Geneva Centre for Autism Foundation $ 2,500.00 Helping with Furniture $ 1,000.00 Malton Black Development Association $ 1,500.00 New Beginnings $ 1,500.00 North York Harvest Food Bank $ 1,500.00 PacSac Smiles $ 910.00 Planet in Focus $ 1,500.00 Scarborough Bluffs Music $ 2,160.00 Social Planning Council of Ottawa $ 1,500.00 St Joe’s Women’s Centre $ 2,000.00The Ottawa Food Bank $ 2,000.00Victoria’s Quilts $ 1,000.00West End Food Co-op $ 2,000.00

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When you put your money in a credit union, it moves. Imagine a gigantic savings and lending circle of 120,000 members spread across Ontario. When one member deposits funds to save for retirement, those funds are loaned to another member to get their first home. So money moves in a circle to benefit everyone.

But it doesn’t stop there. A good portion of the profits Alterna and its members realize are moved again, from the credit union to projects that benefit the communities where members live.

It’s all about connections - between members, communities and the world.

Call Us 1.877.560.0100

Toronto 416.252.5621

Ottawa 613.560.0100

Gatineau 819.595.6980

Visit Us alterna.ca

Alterna Savings alter-banking@alterna.ca

Alterna Bank alter-ideas@alterna.ca