2017 Cooperative Difference Report

Caisse populaire Rideau-Vision d’OttawaCaisse populaire Trillium

When you choose Desjardins, you’re making change happen

Choosing Desjardins is more than choosing a financial institution. It means taking part in a great cooperative movement and empowering each other to actively contribute to the lives of people and communities.

Thanks to the trust of our members, the Rideau-Vision d’Ottawa and Trillium caisses are powerful drivers of sustainability. We set ourselves apart through our commitment and generosity, along with all the other characteristics of our cooperative difference.

Thank you!

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DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIPS

$215,204$353,478 RETURNED TO THE COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND

$138,274

$61,539

$122,268 $76,769

$17,395

$66,612

$8,895

When you choose Desjardins, you’re making a difference in the lives of people and communitiesThe Community Development Fund, donations and sponsorships are key drivers that support the socio-economic vitality of your community. Members like you contribute to this fund by voting to invest part of their dividends in the community during the annual general meeting.

An unrivalled commitment to sustainable community development

Culture

Education

Humanitarian aid and community services

Health and healthy lifestyles

Economic development

Other partnerships

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EXCLUSIVE ADVANTAGES FOR MEMBERS

When you choose Desjardins, you enjoy Desjardins Member AdvantagesAre you familiar with Desjardins Member Advantages?

These are exclusive privileges that can take the form of discounts on cellphone plans, cash back rewards and BONUSDOLLARS, magazine subscriptions, discounts on insurance, free assistance services, and much more!

And that’s on top of the many discounts at retailers, sponsorship perks and special events throughout the year.

Visit desjardins.com/advantages to discover or rediscover the benefits

of being a Desjardins member!

OTTAWA-AREA CAISSES GAVE MEMBERS

$332,375IN DISCOUNTS AND REBATES

THAT’S 110,567 DESJARDINS MEMBER ADVANTAGES

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EXCLUSIVE ADVANTAGES FOR MEMBERS

Exclusive advantages at local retailers!Partnerships have been established with local retailers to offer exclusive advantages to Desjardins members. All you need to do is keep your Desjardins card handy. This is a great way to support businesses in our area.

Clarence-Rockland ExpoDesjardins members received a coupon for a local beer tasting. The event was a benefit in support of breast cancer research.

Rendez-vous de la FrancophonieDesjardins was at the Gala des Rendez-vous de la Francophonie in March 2017. All Desjardins members in attendance were given an entry ballot for the draw to win tickets to the Dominic and Martin comedy show.

Canadian Tulip FestivalAbout fifty members visited the Desjardins Tulip Info Centre and were given a pair of tickets for the Lansdowne Park Tulip Gallery.

A few special events at our sponsorships

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When you choose Desjardins, you’re supporting young people and education

ScholarshipsThe caisses awarded $18,000 in scholarships to area high school, college and university students through the Ontario scholarshipprogram or at the end of the school year.

They also gave nearly $18,000 to the Desjardins Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing financial support to young people who are starting or pursuing university studies, vocational training or a labour market access program.

Significant support to La Cité CollegeDesjardins donated $250,000 to the major “Innover, Créer, Exceller” fundraising campaign to help build the new immersive technology pavilion, La Place. Proud partner of La Cité for the last 20 years, Desjardins made this donation in tribute of La Cité’s mission and to support current and future students.

2017 Scholarship

Program

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Desjardins donated $200,000 to Saint Paul UniversityThe funds will be used to fit out the Desjardins Room in the Mauril-Bélanger Social Innovation Workshop and grant 10 social innovation scholarships of $10,000. These scholarships are intended for indigenous students, first generation students and students from developing countries. They will be the most generous scholarships in the history of Saint Paul University.

Rubik’s Cube competitionMore than 150 competitors showed up for the 7th annual Rubik’s Cube “speedcubing” competition at École secondaire catholique L’Escale in Rockland.

Zone01 RoboticsAs part of our sponsorship of the Zone01 Robotics Challenge, we have developed a special promotion where young people can receive $50 when they open a savings account. Congratulations to the team that won the Desjardins cooperation prize!

It’s important for your caisses that the composition of their boards reflect their community. Accordingly, they have implemented processes to promote the recruitment of women and young people. The Young Intern Officer program is an opportunity for people ages 18 to 30 to contribute to the performance of their caisse by sitting on the board of directors. Young officers play an active role in meetings of the board but have no voting rights. Two of our members are currently benefitting from this unique and enriching experience: Katherine Charron (Trillium) and Simon Brunet (Rideau-Vision d’Ottawa). If you want to take part in your caisse’s democratic life and decisions, please let us know!

When you choose Desjardins, you’re preparing the next generation of Desjardins leaders

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The caisses also take part in the school caisse program. Under this program, elementary school age children can learn the value of money, the cost of goods and the importance of setting savings goals and to respect their commitments. In 2017, $3,070 in youth dividends were paid out to young savers who made at least seven deposits during the year.

The schoolcaisse.com website offers young people a wide range of activities, videos and games aimed at empowering them to become independent, responsible and capable, to instill in them cooperative values and to teach them the importance of sound financial management. The program also helps parents get involved in their children’s education.

When you choose Desjardins, you’re furthering the financial education of young people

SIXUNTROIS youth fairThe SIXUNTROIS youth fair brought together 1,500 grade 11 students from Ottawa-area francophone schools. Desjardins partnered with the Ottawa Financial Education Centre to give an educational workshop on finance. Young people were given the opportunity to discuss their projects, their first job or their studies.

Information booths in post-secondary institutionsDesjardins employees gave financial advice to a good many young people when we set up booths at the start of the school year at Carleton University, the University of Ottawa, Saint Paul University and La Cité College.

National children’s mural for Canada 150Desjardins sponsored a mural by the students of Saint-Viateur Catholic Elementary School in Limoges to mark the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation.

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When you choose Desjardins, you’re supporting art and culture

$20,000 for the Mouvement d’implication francophone d’Orléans (MIFO)Desjardins is proud to be a major partner of MIFO as presenter of the Objectif Cinéma festival and the comedy show series.

Ottawa River FestivalThe Ottawa River Festival is an initiative of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell and their riverfront municipalities. The multi-day event offers many activities and shows for the whole family.

Radio Unique FMDesjardins has been a proud sponsor of Radio Unique FM from the beginning. Listeners can benefit from numerous financial tips by listening to the Chronique Desjardins weekly program. Desjardins is also a partner of the Ottawa Senators hockey game broadcasts.

A $10,000 sponsorship for the Canadian Tulip FestivalDesjardins sponsored this renowned festival for the first time.

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Festival de la Saint-Jean d’OttawaDesjardins was proud to sponsor the performance stage.

Great Canadian Theatre CompanyA grant of $5,000 was awarded to support the performing arts.

LOL Contest: $12,000 to encourage emerging comediansFor three years now, the LOL-Mort de rire! contest has been encouraging youth between 14 and 18 from all French-language high schools across Ontario to develop their Franco-Ontarian cultural identity and promote the French language in the province. They have to write a humorous text and then perform it on stage, making use of their imagination, creativity, skill and humour.

Partner of Rendez-vous de la Francophonie programmingThe Rendez-vous de la Francophonie offers a variety of activities, contests and blogs for people of all ages from coast to coast.

AOE Arts CouncilWe are pleased to provide $2,500 in funding under our annual partnership. A bilingual organization working to champion the arts, the Council serves its 400-odd members throughout the Ottawa region by bringing artists, artistic groups and cultural sector stakeholders together.

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When you choose Desjardins, you’re enriching people’s lives and the communities in which they live

Nearly $20,000 in holiday baskets and foodWe collected donations and prepared holiday baskets to help people in need. In addition, caisse members and employees participated in a food drive for disadvantaged families.

2017 National Capital Region Culinary CompetitionThis contest showcases renowned chefs from the region paired with apprentices from La Cité College for an amicable cook-off. Proceeds from the event benefit Vanier Community Service Centre family services. The Mexican Ambassador to Canada was the honorary chair of this year’s contest.

Gold level partner of the Gala Richelieu de la francophonieFunds raised during the gala benefited the Maison Fraternité, an addiction treatment centre.

Snowflake Breakfast fundraiser for Partage Vanier food bank

Société Saint-Vincent de Paul Conférence Saint-Sébastien and Paroisse Saint-Gabriel

Coopérative Ami Jeunesse

Société Saint-Vincent de Paul Conférence Sainte-Trinité

Paroisse Saint-Joseph d’Orléans

Children’s Christmas party at Carlsbad Springs

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When you choose Desjardins, you’re promoting health and a healthy lifestyle

Défi Coureurs des bois ChallengeLarge thematic obstacle course in Lavigne Natural Park in Bourget, this community-oriented activity promotes a healthy and active lifestyle as well as cultural and natural heritage. Funds raised are used to support organizations in the region.

All Star GamesClarence Minor Hockey hosted the All Star Games for Prescott-Russell minor hockey associations. More than 360 kids between the ages of 8 and 17 enjoyed a memorable experience along with their families.

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When you choose Desjardins, you’re cooperating in building the future

$50,000 for the Limoges Health Hub Desjardins is proud to have contributed, from the very beginning, to this promising project for the Limoges community. We feel that the new health centre will stimulate economic development and help the growing population of Limoges thrive.

Tree plantingAs part of Co-op Week, a tree was planted in the Limoges schoolyard. It was also planted to commemorate Desjardins’s 75 years in the community.

Preparing a financial future with Personal Finance: I’m in ChargeTM

Through its Personal Finance: I’m in ChargeTM

educational program, Desjardins provides guidance to young adults at a phase of their life when they have to make many financial decisions for the first time. One of the goals of this educational program is to help them become responsible consumers by preparing them to make informed financial decisions and make the right choices.

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When you choose Desjardins, you’re boosting economic development

Sponsor and exhibitor at Expo Clarence-RocklandDesjardins was pleased to provide valuable financial advice to visitors at this annual spring event focused on renewal.

Mayor’s Breakfast SeriesThe Mayor’s Breakfast Series is a popular event where guest speakers include high-profile political, business and community leaders. Mayor Jim Watson also updates attendees on recent Ottawa City Hall issues and initiatives.

Prescott-Russell Rural Business SummitDesjardins sponsored this summit to stimulate and create growth opportunities in all sectors.

THE MAYOR’S

BREAKFAST

When you choose Desjardins, you’re doing business with competent individuals who are attentive to your needs

Once again in 2017, our results showed that we can accomplish a lot through cooperation. Because this positive force puts people first, it could play an even bigger role in the economy and society.

We appreciate the trust you place in us. It inspires us to work hard for you every day.

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163 caisse employees

29directors

57Desjardins business centre employees

(Ottawa and Eastern Ontario)

2 young intern officers

9 Desjardins Signature Service employees

serving some

41,055 members

CAISSE POPULAIRE RIDEAU-VISION D’OTTAWA

Head Office147 Rideau Street, Ottawa

613-241-1316

desjardinsottawa.ca

facebook.com/rideauvisionottawa

Branches• Champlain• Hunt Club• Montfort

CAISSE POPULAIRE TRILLIUM

Head Office2591 St. Joseph Boulevard, Orléans

613-824-6363

desjardins.com/caisse-trillium

facebook.com/TrilliumDesjardins

Branches• Cyrville• Hammond• Innes• Limoges• Notre-Dame-des-Champs• Rockland• Vanier

Your #1 choiceWhen you choose Desjardins, you’re making a difference in your life and the lives of others. You’re taking part in a cooperative movement that supports your goals and dreams as well as your needs and the needs of your community. Thank you for your trust!