 | "...Together CUDEs will Drive the Passion that our Industry Needs to ‘Unite for Good’..." | | “The DE experience was an opportunity to top off my tank of passion for assisting our members and the communities we serve. Through experiential learning, collaboration, and engaging with bright minds from within and around the credit union industry, the program ignites synergy in many different ways. Together CUDEs will drive the passion that our industry needs to ‘Unite for Good’ and continue to benefit millions of credit union members in this country and around the world.”
Jim Morrell, CUDE 2013
President/CEO
Peninsula Credit Union |
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| "...the Electricity that we Need to Light our Continuing Path to the Future." | | “My experience at DE training was eye-opening and inspirational. We need to go out and tell our story so we can keep the unique legacy and vision of our founders alive of ‘people helping people.’ The DE program is the electricity that we need to light our continuing path to the future.”
Lisett Olsen, CUDE 2013
Business Development Officer
Alhambra CU |
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| "...a Life and Career Changing Immersion..." | | “DE training is a life and career changing immersion into the history, philosophy and issues that transformed how I think about why and how we do our jobs within the credit union movement. The relationships I have built here will provide me a network of the most committed, innovative and intelligent people I have ever had the chance to work and learn with. From tackling local to international issues, together we are stronger in the true cooperative spirit.”
Christine Walsh Rogers, CUDE 2013
Director of Marketing
Tapco Credit Union |
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| "...How Each of us can Play a Meaningful Role in [the CU Movement's] Future Success." | | “DE training is designed to help both new and veteran credit union professionals understand the history and philosophy of the credit union movement as well as how each of us can play a meaningful role in its future success."
Patrick La Pine, CUDE 2013
President/CEO
League of Southeastern Credit Unions |
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| "Gives me Confidence in the Future Success of our CU Movement..." | | “My week at DE was very eye opening to the issues we face in both large and small credit unions. The ‘do the right thing’ passion that all 42 credit union participants exuded during the week gives me confidence in the future success of our credit union movement.”
Mark Greene, CUDE 2012
Senior Vice President
State ECU |
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| "I Left DE Recharged..." | | “I entered DE Training as the frustrated CEO of a small credit union, unsure how much more energy we had to fight. I left DE recharged and refocused on my mission to not only empower my own small CU, but to work to strengthen the CU system nationwide.”
Chris Blough, CUDE 2012
President/CEO
Wayne County Community FCU |
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| "Confirmed My Career Calling..." | | “DE Training confirmed my career calling. Taking time to remember the operating principals that founded the credit union movement, and then realizing that they are as true today as they were in the beginning is powerful! I am prouder than ever to work in the credit union movement. I have returned to the work that I love - financial empowerment - with a renewed sense of purpose because I have been reminded that my role as a financial educator allows me to live several of the operating principals (service to members, building financial stability, ongoing education, social responsibility) each day. I have always been passionate about financial literacy but DE Training has helped me connect this passion to the credit union movement more fully.”
Cynthia Campbell, CUDE 2012
Vice President/Financial Empowerment Program Manager
Tinker Federal Credit Union |
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| "Single-most Enlightening Experience I have had..." | | “DE training has been the single-most enlightening experience I have had since joining the credit union movement. Regardless of your age, title, experience or where you call home, DE provides exactly what you need to come home energized about the world of possibilities available to credit unions. It’s a wake-up call, a recommitment to our founding principles, and a call to action.”
Stephen Pagenstecher, CUDE 2012
Vice President of Member Relations
Valley Credit Union |
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| "An Eye Opening Experience..." | | "This was an eye opening experience that allowed me to separate myself from my daily routine and take a macro view of our movement. As a league president, I found it especially motivating to see the passion and dedication others have for seeing our industry survive and be there for our members. It should be everyone's goal to attain this designation!"
Tony Emerson, CUDE 2012
President & CEO
The Credit Union League of Connecticut |
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| "Inspires You to do More..." | | “Sometimes the experiences we have from listening to others, and sharing our ideas, are so powerful that they inspire you to do more. DE training also helps you develop your own sense of understanding of credit union philosophy, and further shapes your desire to learn and grow.”
Patrick Livingston, CUDE 2011
Director of Strategic Projects
Coastal Federal Credit Union
Inspired after the training, Livingston co-founded a group for local credit union staff to network informally and learn more about credit union values. “CU Aware” meets monthly and continues to grow in attendees and content. The group was started with fellow DE training graduate Brandon McAdams, who also works at Coastal FCU. |
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"A Solid Foundation..." | 
“The DE experience has reignited my passion for working in the credit union movement. It has provided a solid foundation with cooperative principles, credit union philosophy and global development issues. I believe that having the knowledge provided by DE combined with the network of other CUDEs, I will now be able to play a more purposeful role in the current and future success of the industry.”
Meghann Dawson, CUDE 2011
Instructional Design Manager
Credit Union National Association (CUNA) |
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"Strengthening Credit Union Movements Worldwide" |  "Participating in the US DE program enabled me to commence applying Caribbean and worldwide experiences of the past 27 years into academic thought and frameworks, especially in the unprecedented trauma facing the global economy and financial sector. The exchange of ideas and perspectives with other development planners and educators enriched knowledge transfers and HR competencies strengthening processes throughout our respective movements. Ultimately, we will change more lives for the better through credit unions – in keeping with World Council's global vision.”
Melvin Edwards, CUDE 2009
Chairman
World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU)
Click to hear Credit Union Magazine's interview with World Council of Credit Unions Chairman Melvin Edwards after Edwards graduated from the first Credit Union Development Education training class of 2009.
Edwards' goal after the training was to establish a Credit Union Development Education program for cooperative leaders in the Caribbean: “I do hope to work with other graduates to start a sustainable Caribbean DE program, " said. And he did! In 2010, he hosted the 2nd Caribbean DE program in Jamaica. |
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| "Not Just Another Conference" | | “I am so much more aware of a whole other world, outside my credit union, that is full of folks who need the same services that my members need – specifically, those who are underserved. Individuals who get to participate in this experience become a part of the credit union movement in a different way. This is not just another conference – this is a life-changing event! DE is really about getting down in the dirt.”
Sue Douglas, CUDE 2007
Senior VP/Chief Operating Officer
North Carolina State Employees’ Credit Union, Raleigh, North Carolina |
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| "Unexpected Career Success and Respect" | | "This program has brought me unexpected career success and respect, moments of overwhelming awe, unique opportunities that have enhanced my life, global and internal perspectives, heartfelt passion for what I do and better yet why I do it, lasting friendships and a creative energy to keep going and seeking possibilities when the world seems to offer little of it."
Debbie Wege, CUDE
Education Services Manager
Boeing Employees' Credit Union, Seattle, Washington |
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| "Not Just a Career -- It's a Passion!" | | "This experience has given new meaning to my professional life as well as my personal life. I will never see things in the same manner as I did before. This has reinforced all the reasons that I chose to make this my career! Now it's not just a career – it's a passion!”
Marion Kersnick, CUDE
Phoenix Branch Manager
Southwest Airlines Federal Credit Union, Houston, Texas |
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| "Inspiring Dreams" | | "The program has really inspired me with my dreams and goals. I have a renewed sense of direction and support. I would recommend this program for anyone interested in the credit union movement or in community development. This program should be required education."
Jennifer Minich, CUDE
Researcher
Pennsylvania House Democrats |
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| "Explore a Whole New World" | | “The DE Program is very worthwhile to become involved in, regardless of how long you’ve been in the movement. Even after 23 years of loving credit unions, I was forced to step outside of my comfort zone and explore a whole new world of cooperatives. Through doing so, I’m re-committed to be sure I never compromise the credit union ideals in my organization.”
Mary Cunningham, CUDE 1997
President/CEO, USA Federal Credit Union, San Diego, California |
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| "Shape the Future of the Credit Union Movement!" | | "The DE Programme is without a doubt the most important experience in my career and has given me confidence to try and help shape the future of not only my own credit union, but also the British credit union movement, through challenging what we do, why we do it, and how we can do it better for our members. The opportunity to make life-long friends and have a worldwide network to call upon will also make a huge difference to me personally."
Marlene Shiels, CUDE
General Manager
Capital Credit Union, Scotland |
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|  By Joshua Kurtz, CUDE 2007
CFO and VP-Finance
Millstream Area Credit Union
Findlay, Ohio
"Prior to going through my Credit Union Development Education (DE) training, I wasn’t sure exactly what my overall purpose in life was. One thing I knew, however, was that I did have the passion of the credit union philosophy of 'People Helping People.'
"Throughout the week of training, we heard stories of what our credit union founders went through to begin this unparalleled movement and of credit unions, both large and small, doing immaculate things in their respective communities and throughout the world. I also had the privilege to meet several inspirational people who had the same passion of the credit union philosophy at work in their lives.
"Every day as I listened to the different speakers and we acted out different scenarios, it became clearer to me exactly what my purpose and my responsibility in life was. I now can say with confidence that my purpose and responsibility is helping people less fortunate make their lives better – whether it’s community service, donating money, or simply sitting down with a member to show them how to balance their checkbook. I now know that I am committed to serving people." |
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|  By Nancy Johns, CUDE 2000
Branch Manager
American Airlines Federal Credit Union
Los Angeles, California
"I have been in the credit union movement for more than 20 years. What I took away from DE training was an understanding of credit union philosophy at a core level and what that really means to me. I finally understand my compelling need to stay in a movement where what I do makes a positive difference in people's lives. I like that I feel good about my career and that making this difference fulfilled a need in me. The credit union difference and philosophy is my passion for being.
"I came back from DE training recharged, as is so often the experience from a seminar—but I did not lose that charge as time passed. Rather, the DE network helped to keep it switched on. My passion in credit unions is shared by so many people—not just locally, but worldwide. I have since had opportunities to take the DEUK (United Kingdom) course and co-facilitate the PhDE (Philippines) course. I also had a great opportunity to work on a project with the league in Jamaica, through a colleague of mine from DE. Further, I have had some experience hosting a credit union person from Kenya. The DE experience has opened doors and driven home the passion of credit unions and translated into some unique real-world experiences. Many of these experiences were on my own time and expense – but the rewards totally outweigh the time and cost.
"I work in a very large credit union. There are times when we can stray from basic credit union philosophy. I considered myself in charge of philosophy; I jokingly call myself the "philosophy police." I, along with other DEs we have on staff, keep us as true to the credit union mission as possible. I have also renewed my interest in the credit union movement as a whole by rejoining the League Chapter Board of Governors (where I still serve today).
"I have mentored several DE classes, and there is nothing like the experience of seeing the 'a-ha' moments as DE participants get the 'why' of credit unions. Whether on a domestic or international level, the true mission of credit unions is all about the Development Education program. At the root of everything is the basic philosophy that is as pertinent today as when our credit union founding fathers developed the 'people helping people' focus. The democratic structure, the social mission and the member-owned spirit that is alive today is why credit unions are America's best financial choice." |
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