How to vote

Individual members
Business members

Ways to vote

Voting is now open. Click here to cast your ballot.

Online

  1. Voting is now open, head to www.firstwestvote.com to cast your vote or on our mobile app, under Quick Links (old app) or on the 3rd page of icons (new app). 
  2. Enter your last name, and date of birth and postal code when prompted.*Note: Do not include spaces or special characters in your last name.
  3. Follow the instructions to select, confirm and submit your votes. 
  4. Choose your donation recipient. 

Telephone

  1. Call toll-free 1-855-999-1716. 
  2. Enter your last name, date of birth and postal code when prompted.
    *Note: Do not include spaces or special characters in your last name.
  3. When prompted, follow the instructions to select, confirm and submit your votes.
  4. Choose your donation recipient. 

Text

  1. Text VOTE to 1-855-999-1716. 
  2. Enter your last name, date of birth and postal code when prompted.*Note: Do not include spaces or special characters in your last name.
  3. Follow the instructions you receive to select, confirm and submit your votes 
  4. (SMS charges may apply). 
  5. Choose your donation recipient. 

By mail upon request

Requests for mail-in ballots must be received by Nov. 5, 2021.
1. Call 1-888-921-0580 (Mon. – Fri. 9 AM – 5 PM, PT) to request a mail-in paper ballot.
2. Upon receipt, make your vote selections on the provided ballot where indicated.
3. Close and seal the ballot.
4. Drop off the postage-paid ballot at any Canada Post mailbox. All mail-in ballots must be
received by Nov. 19, 2021, in order to be counted.
5. We will donate $1 to Feed the Valley or The Full Cupboard (based on your region).

WATCH: Let's keep a good thing growing for members | Shawn Neumann & Domain 7

Since opening his first account at the age of eight, Shawn Neumann has built a storied history with First West Credit Union spanning over 40 years. Not only is he a member and Chair of First West’s Board of Directors, but he also runs a human-centred organizational change agency called Domain 7 which Envision Financial helped him get off the ground.

All of these different hats have given Shawn unique insight into our credit union, our member needs into the future and how we can look to grow and evolve while staying true to our core values. Learn about Shawn’s story and why he believes applying to become a federal credit union is in the best interest of our members, employees and communities.

 

Hear what others are saying

Over the course of our 75-year history—as you can imagine— we’ve build lasting relationships with quite a few people. From our members and employees (past and present), to our community partners, dignitaries, and suppliers—they have all experienced firsthand our commitment to innovation, community support, culture, and an unwavering desire to keep our members and values at the centre of it all. Many of these people were willing and eager to send along their messages of support for our federal initiative.

Let’s keep a good thing growing.

 

Your vote makes a difference in the community

Influencing your credit union’s future by participating in the democratic process is a fundamental part of being a member. But did you know you can make a difference to our local communities simply by voting on this historic decision to become a federal credit union?

It’s true. To thank you for voting, we will donate on your behalf to the communities we serve. As a bonus, you can choose where your donation is directed.

For each valid ballot cast online, by telephone or by text message, First West will donate $2 to its signature cause (The Full Cupboard/Feed the Valley), the First West Foundation or a charitable cause you choose from the list below.

When the number of valid ballots exceeds 2,500, we’ll increase our donation to $4 per valid ballot and the donations could climb even higher.  UPDATE: As of Nov. 15, all valid ballots are now generating a $6 donation.

This means even more charitable dollars going to our local partners to support the important work they do in our communities.

If you choose to vote by mail, we will donate $1 to our signature cause to help eradicate hunger in the communities we serve.

SENIORS ANIMAL
WELFARE		 YOUTH SIGNATURE
CAUSE		 CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
ENVISION FINANCIAL Sources BC SAINTS Rescue Mission Reach Child & Development Centre The Full Cupboard First West Foundation
VALLEY FIRST

ENDERBY & DISTRICT FINANCIAL

 One Sky Community Services Critteraid Penticton Foundry (Penticton & Kelowna) Feed The Valley First West Foundation
ISLAND SAVINGS Pacific Centre Family Services Association BC & Alberta Guide Dogs The Circle The Full Cupboard First West Foundation

WATCH: Let's keep a good thing growing for communities | Big Brothers Big Sisters, Vancouver Island Chapters

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a place where a “big” can connect with a “little”, grow together and positively impact both their lives. Learn how Island Savings and First West Credit Union have partnered with the three Big Brothers Big Sisters chapters on Vancouver Island (Cowichan Valley, Central Vancouver Island, Victoria and Area) over the years and how our mutual growth has meant amazing things for building strong mentoring relationships in the community.

Your Decision: Special Resolutions

If you are a First West Credit Union member in good standing, we ask you to consider the following special resolutions and, if deemed fit, approve the resolutions by voting “Yes– in favour” on the ballot.

If you are a member who holds Class B Equity Shares, you are also required to approve the special resolutions through a separate vote. Therefore, we also ask you to consider the same special resolutions and, if deemed fit, approve the resolutions by voting “Yes– in favour” on the ballot. In both cases, the special resolutions must be approved by no less than two-thirds of the votes cast by members and shareholders eligible to vote.

Special resolution #1: Applying to become a federal credit union

BE IT RESOLVED, as a Special Resolution, that:

  1. First West Credit Union is authorized to apply to the Minister of Finance for Letters Patent of Continuance under the Bank Act.
  2. Should the application to continue as a federal credit union be approved by the Minister of Finance, First West Credit Union is authorized to operate as a federal credit union under the Bank Act.
  3. The Board of Directors may, in their sole discretion and without further notice to or approval of the members, abandon or withdraw at any time the application to become a federal credit union.
  4. Any one or more directors or officers of First West Credit Union, for and on behalf of First West Credit Union, are authorized and directed to take all necessary steps and proceedings and to execute, deliver and file any and all applications, declarations, documents and other instruments and do all such other acts or things that may be necessary or desirable to give effect to the provisions of this special resolution.

Special resolution #2: Approval to adopt new bylaws

BE IT RESOLVED, as a Special Resolution, that:

  1. On the date First West Credit Union becomes a federal credit union, the Rules then in effect be repealed in their entirety and replaced with the Bylaws set forth in Schedule 2.
  2. Any one or more directors or officers of First West Credit Union, for and on behalf of First West Credit Union, is authorized and directed to take all necessary steps and proceedings and to execute, deliver and file any and all applications, declarations, documents and other instruments and do all such other acts or things that may be necessary or desirable to give effect to the provisions of this special resolution.