Credit Union Development Education |
Credit Unions' Best Educational Value! |
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 While it has been making a difference for over 25 years, many credit union professionals have never heard of the Credit Union Development Education (DE) training program.
We want to change that – because DE training is more critical now than ever! |
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 Why? Part of the answer can be found in the Spring 2009 issue of the nationally recognized Strategy & Business Magazine. An article headlined Not Just for Profit predicts that alternatives to the stockholder-centric business model will arise from the current economic crisis… and contribute more to the future of the world.
The Strategy & Business article focuses on the value of “hybrid” business models -- like cooperative credit unions -- that don’t feel short-term stockholder pressures. Rather, credit unions maintain a “mission controlled, for benefit” focus that provides socially responsible governance and solutions for consumers.
This empowers credit unions to achieve a “triple bottom line” that benefits their business, their members, and their communities. |
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 2009 DE Training will incorporate this emerging discussion while continuing to provide critical lessons in cooperative principles, credit union philosophy, and the member-centric business model that has enabled credit unions to weather the economic storm better than most for-profit institutions.
“This year more than ever, it is critical for credit unions to leverage their unique business model in order to make a greater bottom-line impact,” emphasizes DE Program Director Tom Decker. |
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Who Should Attend – And Why |  DE training is open to everyone from new employees who need a credit union orientation to seasoned executives who need to recharge. Participants cite many benefits of attending DE training:
Graduates acquire skills in credit union outreach initiatives, problem solving, technical assistance, team building, and public presentations.
Graduates earn certification as Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs). They join a networking group including over 800 graduates across America and 10 other countries.
CUDEs realize that local issues are indeed global – and that credit unions grow stronger by working cooperatively.
CUDEs return to their jobs with new understanding of how to promote cooperative principles and credit union values as distinct advantages in today’s competitive financial services marketplace.
“All financial institutions offer a commodity,” points out 2008 CUDE Lily Newfarmer, president/CEO of Tarrant County Credit Union. “We are all trying to get the same loans, checking accounts, etc. What sets credit unions apart from our fierce competition are our cooperative principles and credit union philosophy. If we don’t embrace these differences and show our members that we’re better because we’re unique, our very existence is in jeopardy.” |
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| DE Training Schedule for 2011 | |
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| Spring DE Training
April 6-13, 2011
Madison, Wisconsin |
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| DE Workshop - For Certified CUDEs
June 17-19, 2011
(in conjunction with CUNA's America's CU Conference in San Antonio, Texas) |
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| Special DE Event
July 22-24, 2011
(in conjunction with WOCCU's World Credit Union Conference in Glasgow, Scotland) |
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| Summer DE Training
August 10-17, 2011
Islandwood at Bainbridge Island, Washington |
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| Scholarships Are Available! | | Scholarships are available through the National Credit Union Foundation's DE Fund or through your state credit union foundation or league.
Interested in a scholarship? Several states provide specific scholarship information on the "How To Register" for DE page. If you don't see your state listed there, contact your state foundation or league.
If there's no DE scholarship available in your state, contact NCUF's Tom Decker: tdecker@ncuf.coop or 800-356-9655, extension 4374.
“We realize that the economy is tough, so we want to do everything we can to make it easy as possible for credit unions to send representatives to DE training,” confirms Decker. |
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"Never Compromise the Credit Union Ideals!" |  “The DE program is very worthwhile to become involved in, regardless of how long you’ve been in the credit union movement,” concludes Credit Union National Association Board Member Mary Cunningham, CUDE and president/CEO of USA Federal Credit Union. “Even after many years of loving credit unions, in DE training I was forced to step outside of my comfort zone and explore a whole new world…. Through doing so, I’m re-committed to be sure I never compromise the credit union ideals in my organization.” |
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| Development Educators Mark CUNA’s 75th Anniversary | | ESTES PARK, Colorado (6/19/09)—On the same spot where 52 credit union delegates founded the Credit Union National Association in the summer of 1934, a representative group of Credit Union Development Educators assembled in Estes Park to commemorate CUNA’s 75th anniversary.
“Their visit gave them pause to pay tribute to the early pioneers of the movement,” related Development Education Program Director Tom Decker. “At the same time, we aspired to rededicate all CUDEs to the same spirit, passion and vision of CUNA’s founders.” |
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 | | Recalling the famous photograph taken in 1934 of CUNA founders and their families representing 20 states at Estes Park, 20 modern CUDEs re-enacted the photo in June 2009.
Before leaving Estes Park, the CUDEs sang one of the same songs sung by the delegates 75 years ago after establishing CUNA’s bylaws.
The photo re-enactment and song are now documented in a three-minute video created by the CUDEs and posted to YouTube.
While in Colorado, the re-enactors also participated in the annual CUDE Workshop, which took place in nearby Boulder. Attendees discussed issues ranging from cooperative social responsibility to credit union sustainability.
The CUDEs also completed a community service project: pruning trees, pulling weeds and clearing rubbish at two affordable apartment complexes.
Throughout the four-day workshop, participants provided a running summary of each day’s events on Twitter for other CUDEs who were unable to attend.
Jim Dixon, a board member from the Credit Union of Colorado in Denver, concluded:
“As the ‘rookie’ of the 2009 DE Workshop, the more I become involved in the CUDE movement, the more excited and addicted I become to learn more, meet more CUDEs and become more involved in the greatest financial organization designed for ‘People Helping People.’” |
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| What Sustains Us | | The Credit Union Development Education (DE) program is sustained by a corps of volunteers dedicated to growing the credit union movement by assisting credit unions in the delivery of our core philosophy.
Linking our past with credit unions' present, the DE program brings renewed relevance to the philosophy of "People Helping People."
Through discussions of cultures and movements in developing nations, our own roots are brought to vivid life. Through presentations on community development and low-income credit unions, a new light is shed on the inherent power of our cooperative structure. And through group work, participants learn practical lessons on diversity and relying on others to solve problems.
When DE training is over, graduates return to their jobs revitalized. They gain a clear understanding that local issues are indeed global, and that credit unions have the unique ability to improve the lives of people everywhere.
Every year, people from all parts of the world become certified as Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs). These individuals commit volunteer and professional time to take the credit union message to audiences throughout the world. In addition to promoting the credit union ideal, continuing involvement in the DE program provides CUDEs with an excellent opportunity for career development and personal enrichment.
Becoming a CUDE is a commitment -- a very rewarding one. Staff and volunteers alike can benefit from participation in this innovative learning experience and joining the proud ranks of CUDEs around the world.
Click here for amazing testimonials! |
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Who Supports Us |  The National Credit Union Foundation is the primary sponsor of the Credit Union Development Education program.
Support is provided by state credit union foundations and leagues, CUNA Mutual Group, the Credit Union National Association, and the World Council of Credit Unions. |
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