Wegner Awards Nomination Information

Wegner Awards:
The Credit Union Movement's Highest National Honors

Each spring, the National Credit Union Foundation accepts nominations in the categories of Individual Achievement, Outstanding Organization or Program, and Lifetime Achievement.

Nominees must demonstrate achievements consistent with the National Credit Union Foundation’s far-reaching mission: "To promote consumers' financial independence through credit unions."

Categories and Criteria

1. INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT
   To honor an unsung hero for their innovative concepts and accomplishments which are ongoing and current contributions to the credit union community. The award will recognize an individual's accomplishments related to one specific and identifiable category such as financial literacy, serving the underserved or unserved community, alternatives to predatory lending, development of new products, etc. This award is intended to honor a recipient for their work within the past 10 years and that has had a significant impact or a potential impact on the national and international credit union movement with measured results. This award is not intended to recognize the nominee for Lifetime Achievement.
   
   Criteria:
• Accomplishment(s) must relate to the Foundation’s mission to promote and improve consumer financial independence through credit unions;



• Measurements that signify how the accomplishments have impacted the national or international credit union movement. Examples include: partnerships with organizations internal/external to the credit union movement that extend service to new members and non-members, and the impact of new programs serving unbanked or underserved sectors;



• Demonstrated leadership and guidance in maintaining the credit union philosophy of people helping people; and



• Demonstrated personal commitment, and innovation beyond professional competence and requirements of the position he/she was employed to serve.





2. OUTSTANDING ORGANIZATION/PROGRAM:
   To honor an organization, program, or business for their innovative concepts or product/services that have had a significant impact on the national or international credit union movement with measured results.
   
   Criteria:
• Accomplishment(s) must relate to the Foundation’s mission to promote and improve consumer financial independence through credit unions;



• Measurements that signify how the accomplishments have impacted the national or international credit union movement.



• Relates to core credit union values of mutual self-help, cooperation, economic empowerment and volunteerism; and



• Supports community partnerships/collaboration outside the credit union system.





3. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT:
   
   To honor an individual that has dedicated their life to promoting the credit union philosophy, created innovative concepts, and provided leadership that has/had a significant and lasting impact on the national and international credit union movement.
   
   Criteria:
• Accomplishment(s) must relate to the Foundation’s mission to promote and improve consumer financial independence through credit unions;



• Demonstrated leadership and guidance in maintaining the credit union philosophy of people helping people;



• Demonstrated visionary leadership, personal commitment, and innovation beyond professional competence and requirements of the position he/she was employed to serve;



• Demonstrated identifiable and lasting changes to improve/promote credit unions;



• Inspired and persuaded others to act to advance the credit union system; and



• Recognized nationally and or internationally for work in or relating to credit unions.



(Recognition of retired individuals or posthumous awards must occur within five years of retirement or death.)