DE Alumni Resources
A one-stop-shop for all resources and opportunities for graduates of the DE program.
Since 1982, over 3,000 credit union advocates from 35 countries have attended the U.S. DE Training to earn their Credit Union Development Education (CUDETM) designation. Independent, international DE programs have spun off from the U.S. program. These programs have expanded the global DE alumni network to more than 4,500 individuals worldwide.
Upon completing the DE Program, participants earn their Credit Union Development Educator (CUDETM) designation, which signifies a competency in understanding and applying Development Education within financial services.
DE Alumni Events & Engagement
Continue your engagement and learnings from the DE program by attending DE alumni events.
Registration is COMING SOON for the Annual Tom Connors Memorial DE Reception being held during 2025 GAC!
Join the National Credit Union Foundation and fellow DE Alumni for appetizers, drinks, and networking. Have a colleague interested in learning more about DE and the DE community, feel free to register and bring them along!
- When: Sunday, March 2, 2025
- Time: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
- Where: Marriott Marquis, 901 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC
- Registration: $75 per person
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DE Day of Service
This annual day of impact encourages DE alumni to go out and live the credit union difference taught at DE Training through community service to empower our members and strengthen communities.
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DE Awards
The US DE Awards Program provides US CUDE’s the opportunity to honor those individuals who exemplify the DE spirit through their individual or cooperative efforts to make a difference in the movement.
International DE Resources
Thanks to the leadership of international credit union partners, there have been several DE Programs created outside of the U.S. These independently-managed programs and the International Credit Union Designation (ICUDE) are available to DE Program Alumni who meet a certain level of international experience and is offered by the International DE Programs.
DE Projects in Action
After graduating from the CUDETM Program, graduates are charged with taking what they’ve learned home to complete a project in their credit union or community that improves people’s lives.
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Lindsey Mueller, DE Class of 2018
After 15 tornados devastated Northern Wisconsin in 2019, Lindsey assembled storm relief efforts with staff from her organization, CoVantage Credit Union. Over 30 employees spent more than 300 hours of volunteer time to help their community including operating chainsaws, moving brush and helping serve food to residents.
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Christopher Morris, DE Class of 2005
In 2014, Christopher Morris began organizing local volunteer activities once a month by inviting local CUDEs to join him for outings that focused on the 12 Development Issues. He has kept this tradition alive and continues to gather CUDEs in the Madison area for activities such as stocking food pantries, Ronald McDonald houses, Toys for Tots and more.
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Meghan Jamison, DE Class of 2018
In an effort to get more Young Professionals from the Cornerstone region to DE Training, Meghan designed t-shirts that she could sell to raise money for a YP scholarship. She worked with other local CUDEs to help with the scholarship process and was able to reach her fundraising goal and award her first scholarship at the end of 2019.
Stay Connected
Resources
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Financial Democracy
At DE Training, we focus on understanding and leveraging the Cooperative Principles in order to better serve our members. We offer a refreshed look at the Cooperative Principles to help us reflect on what we stand for.
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Development Issues
The National Credit Union Foundation has identified 12 Development Issues that are interconnected and act as barriers to the well-being and prosperity of members and communities served by credit unions.
Dig deeper into the 12 Development issues taught at DE Training.
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Financial Health & Well-being
Financial well-being is the key to solving the challenges that members are facing today.
Learn more about the Foundation’s work in Financial Well-Being.
Get in touch
For more information on the DE alumni activities
Contact Tobi Weingart, Chief Program Officer
Tobi leads the strategic vision that informs the Foundation’s programming, including developing and conducting signature programs like the Credit Union Development Education (DE) Program, Exploring Why™ Workshops, and other experiential, customized programming.