don't be shy … sound off

about the good work your credit union (or credit union chapter) is doing in your community.

SUBMIT an Entry for a CUNA National Award

If your credit union or credit union chapter has undertaken a project in the past year (July 2009–July 2010) that qualifies for a Dora Maxwell, Louise Herring, or DesJardins Youth Financial Education Award, PLEASE take the time to SHOWCASE your credit union and give your staff, volunteers, and members the recognition they deserve.

Here are 10 tips from CUNA for putting together a Top Notch Award Program Entry and some more advice from past judges. You can download the necessary forms (entry forms, checklists, and packets) by clicking on the approriate link(s) to the right.

If you're not sure your project qualifies, check out the awards specific information below, read through these sample awards activities, and review the 2009 Dora Maxwell Award Winners (including Butte Credit Unions) and Louise Herring Award Winners. In past years, Montana's credit unions have not put together many entries. But, the majority of the entries that we have submitted for national judging have received awards. So, if you have a project that qualifies, it's worth a try.

Submission Process and Montana DEADLINE: All entries need to arrive at the Montana Credit Union Network office for state-level review by 5pm on Monday, August 23, 2010. We will forward all qualifying applications on for national awards judging. Each state can only forward one entry per per award per asset level (see entry forms), so if we happen to have any entries in overlapping asset categories, we have arranged judging with another league. Just send your entries to

Beth Satre
Montana Credit Union Network
101 N. Rodney
Helena MT 59601

More Information: If you have questions, need more information, or want to bounce an idea for an entry off another human being, email Beth Satre or call 800.745.5546 x 134.

Awards

• The Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Recognition Award recognizes a credit union, chapter, or multiple credit union groups for its community involvement in an activity that helps other people or strengthens the structure of their community. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to, raising funds for a charity, community involvement projects, such as a volunteer fair, building low-income housing, or collecting contributions for a food bank. Educational activities, such as tutoring at a local school or programs that support financial literacy, are also eligible activities. Download the entry form, checklist, or complete packet from CUNA.
   
• The Louise Herring Award for Philosophy in Action recognizes a credit union for programs and activities offered to its members. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to, member programs for groups that are often economically or otherwise challenged and programs that do an extraordinary job of encouraging money management and consumer financial education. Only individual credit unions are eligible to enter. Download the entry form, checklist, or complete packet from CUNA.
   
• The Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award recognizes leadership on behalf of youth financial literacy.  It considers all activities supporting the personal finance education of young (18 and under) members and nonmembers including, but not limited to, face-to-face teaching, publicity, lobbying for curriculum requirements, teacher and volunteer training, and promotion and use of the NEFE High School Financial Planning Program (involvement in the NEFE program is not required for entries). Leagues, credit union chapters (or groups) and individual credit unions are eligible to enter. Download the credit union entry form and credit union checklist, the chapter entry form and chapter checklist, and a list of DesJardins Award FAQs from CUNA.