“These four recipients exemplify the credit union philosophy of ‘People Helping People,’” says Bob Schumacher, Chair of the NCUF Awards and Recognition Committee. “Their talents and dedication to the spirit of cooperation show us that a belief in an idea and the tenacity to make it a reality can truly make a difference in people’s lives.”
2009 Lifetime Achievement
William Charles "Bill" Sterner
Thousands of growing credit unions owe a debt of gratitude to this fallen leader who will be honored with the 2009 Herb Wegner Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Decades before most credit unions learned to “reach out to new markets” and “serve the underserved,” Bill Sterner was teaching these concepts around the world.
Tragically, Sterner passed away at age 66 after suffering a heart attack at the Credit Union Association of Colorado’s 2008 Legislative Forum.
“Bill’s memory shines on in all our lives,” says Wegner Award nominator John Dill, President/CEO of the Credit Union Association of Colorado as well as the Credit Union Foundation of Colorado and Wyoming. “Bill’s strong commitment, vision, and innovation to foster growth in the credit union industry will continue to inspire and help advance future generations and new frontiers.”
Sterner’s vision was to “promote new and sustained membership” in cooperatives. Yet he paved his career path in a different direction than most cooperative pioneers. He blazed his first trails internationally, then nationally, before settling into a single state and local community.
Pat Brownell Sterner accepted the award in honor of Bill. You can watch Bill Sterner's video tribute shown at the awards ceremony in two formats:
Windows Media Player Format. Note: This is a windows media file. This video is 7:14 minutes long. Expect brief pauses during viewing.
Flash Video ForrmatClick the play arrow located in the center of the video screenshot.
2009 Individual Achievement Awards
For the first time in 21 years, the National Credit Union Foundation Awards & Recognition Committee has seen fit to name two winners in a single category for the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards.
Winners of the 21st Annual Herb Wegner Memorial Awards for Individual Achievement are:
Rita Haynes, Treasurer, Manager & CEO of Faith Community United Credit Union in Cleveland, Ohio
Tom Sargent, President/CEO of First Tech Credit Union in Beaverton, Oregon
“Rita and Tom’s achievements are both extraordinary and unique,” related NCUF Awards & Recognition Committee Chairman and Wegner Awards Dinner Emcee Bob Schumacher.
“Rita’s achievements in payday loan alternatives, second chance auto loans, and foreclosure preventions are shining examples of how credit unions can change lives by providing affordable financial services in low-income communities,” Schumacher observed. “And her achievements are especially amazing coming from a credit union with only $10 million in assets and four full-time staff.”
“Tom’s achievements in fundraising for ‘Credit Unions for Kids’ transcend even the largest individual credit unions,” Schumacher contrasted. “Inspired by a personal commitment, Tom has achieved what only the most effective national credit union leaders have done throughout our history – uniting credit unions across the country around a single cause. Tom has motivated credit unions of all sizes to do life-changing charity work in communities supporting Children’s Hospitals.”
Montana Credit Unions for Community Development
Helena, Montana
It’s only five years old, but it has already made a lasting impact on over 50,000 people’s lives. For its successful innovations and partnerships, Montana Credit Unions for Community Development (MCUCD)—the philanthropic arm of the Montana Credit Union Network—will receive the prestigious Herb Wegner Memorial Award for Outstanding Organization.
Montana Credit Unions for Community Development upholds a far-reaching mission: to implement programs, through credit unions, that improve the social and economic well-being of Montanans. Most of its activities are directed toward serving the state’s low-wealth population. Montana’s median household income of $33,024 is substantially lower than the national average of $42,000. In fact, 50 of Montana’s 62 credit unions have the National Credit Union Administration’s “low-income” designation.
Positioned for Growth Already, MCUCD has touched the lives of more than 50,000 people in a state with a population of only 902,000. This represents outreach to nearly 1 out of every 18 people throughout Montana.
Successful Programs
MCUCD’s services are packaged to aggregate resources and create innovative “plug and play” products that are easy to implement so that credit unions can focus on what they do best: serve members regardless of their economic status. This approach empowers MCUCD to provide a wide range of successful programs throughout Montana.
Valuable Partnerships Led by Executive Director Jeanne Saarinen, MCUCD also recognizes the need to create partnerships to sustain their programs. In its first five years, MCUCD has forged successful partnerships with 22 organizations. These partners have provided strategic and capitalization planning, teacher training, consumer education, and valuable fundraising—$824,233 in grants.
William Charles "Bill" Sterner
“Rita’s achievements in payday loan alternatives, second chance auto loans, and foreclosure preventions are shining examples of how credit unions can change lives by providing affordable financial services in low-income communities,” Schumacher observed. “And her achievements are especially amazing coming from a credit union with only $10 million in assets and four full-time staff.”
“Tom’s achievements in fundraising for ‘Credit Unions for Kids’ transcend even the largest individual credit unions,” Schumacher contrasted. “Inspired by a personal commitment, Tom has achieved what only the most effective national credit union leaders have done throughout our history – uniting credit unions across the country around a single cause. Tom has motivated credit unions of all sizes to do life-changing charity work in communities supporting Children’s Hospitals.”
