Cornerstone CU leaders graduate from National Foundation’s DE Program

Three Cornerstone credit union leaders were certified as Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs) after completing the National Credit Union Foundation’s Credit Union Development Education (DE) Training.

The April DE Training was held April 3-8, and was attended by employees and volunteers from credit unions and system partners across the United States and the globe with a total of 42 students graduating.

DE Training is a unique experiential training program that provides lessons in credit union structure, purpose, and the “why” that differentiates credit unions from other financial institutions. During this program, students participate in group exercises, field visits, and interactive speaker sessions that provide insights into how credit unions can leverage their unique business model to help their members and communities overcome the financial and developmental issues they face.

Class graduates

Recent DE graduates from the Cornerstone region are Joshette Jackson, Energy Capital Credit Union in Spring, Texas; Brett Schnur, People’s Trust Federal Credit Union in Houston, Texas; and Stephanie Sievers, Star of Texas Credit Union in Austin, Texas.

Here's what they had to say about their experiences:

• “I am so glad I went there and was a part of the experience. It was like none other. Anyone who is in management or looking to move into management or new to credit unions needs to go through DE. It’s eye opening to what credit unions are all about, and you will be forever grateful. I know I am. April 2019! Best Class Ever!!” – Joshette Jackson.
• “As a longtime credit union employee, I feel that I understand our mission. However, CUDE Training distilled this understanding down to the core issues affecting members and non-members alike. A realization begins to form that the mission is centered around a genuine compassion for our community, regardless of their membership or account balances. CUDE Training continues the tradition of fostering the People Helping People mission. DE doesn’t simply make better credit union employees, it makes better people.”.” – Brett Schnur.
• “Passionate Purpose. If you didn’t have it, you will. If you had it … rejuvenation.” – Stephanie Sievers.

About the Credit Union Development Educators Program
Since 1982, more than 1,900 credit union advocates from over 35 countries have graduated from DE Training to become Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs). Once they earn their CUDE designation, people return to their jobs with a sense of personal enrichment and renewed energy to share what they have learned. This growing corps of credit union advocates devotes professional and volunteer time to spreading the credit union message to audiences throughout the country.

About the National Credit Union Foundation
The National Credit Union Foundation (the Foundation) is the charitable arm of the U.S credit union movement, serving as a catalyst for change in people’s financial lives. The Foundation works to ignite understanding and focus on member financial health, inspire and create opportunities for credit unions to leverage their cooperative values, and respond quickly when disaster strikes. Through cooperative support and action, the Foundation helps people achieve financial freedom.