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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Three elections that matter right now ... The Concord launches ... Mail Tribune 100: Oct. 20, 1915 ... Our View: Three elections that matter right now ... The Concord launches ... Mail Tribune 100: Oct. 20, 1915 ... OREGON'S 100 BEST NONPROFITS Rogue Credit Union tops in workplace satisfaction Comment By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 2, 2015 at 3:34 PM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 2, 2015 at 3:34 PM » Social News Rogue Credit Union didn't get it right the first time, or even the second when it applied for Oregon Business magazine's best workplace list. In retrospect, the Medford-based financial institution was looking for plaudits in the wrong category. Grouped among its nonprofit peers, however, Rogue Credit Union has shined. When the "100 Best Nonprofits" awards were doled out this week, Rogue found itself atop the heap. "We were completely surprised, because when we got to the event, they seated us at tables in the back of the room," said CEO Gene Pelham."I didn't think we'd be recognized at all." Or at least, not until the No. 1 spot on the state's large nonprofits (with 50 or more employees) list was announced. Oregon Business magazine’s seventh-annual 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For project drew entries from more than 150 entities, with more than 5,000 employees and volunteers filling out surveys rating their satisfaction with work environment, mission and goals, career development and learning, benefits and compensation, and management and communications. When RCU first pursued "Best Companies" status a decade ago, there was no separation between profit and nonprofit firms. "We applied for three years and didn't make the Top 100," Pelham said. "Some of them had very generous health care packages. Even though we offered what we thought was very good health care, it didn't seem to measure up." After three years failing to make the list, RCU passed up the competition. "We didn't apply for a couple of years because we were discouraged," Pelham said. But it didn't mean the institution simply threw in the towel. "We learned from our previous employee surveys," Pelham said. "You can never take communication for granted. Often times, we found working to over-communicate, working to be connected with staff members, was critically important. We have to make sure we listen and respond." When RCU returned to the competition five years ago, it appeared in the No. 14 spot and then No. 7. Two years ago, credit unions were shifted to the nonprofit category and RCU moved to No. 2 in 2014, still apparently needing to try harder. "One of our primary strategic objectives is creating loyalty with our members, second-most with our staff, and third is financial soundness," Pelham said. RCU's annual retention rate is 83.2 percent, high for the financial industry. "When you're looking at turnover simply for cause or dissatisfaction, it's much lower than that," he said. Pelham also points to a 13 percent gain in deposits between June 2014 and June 2015 as Rogue took an extra $71 million in deposits within Jackson County, pushing its total to $603.68 million. That would place it above banking market share leader Umpqua. Three other local entities: Pathway Enterprises (12), Columbia Care Services (25), and Living Opportunities (26) made the large operation list, while Coyote Trails School of Nature & Nature Center was No. 8 in the small nonprofit category with fewer than 20 employees. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.3 , and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/Economic Edge . By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 2, 2015 at 3:34 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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