Imagine your credit union winning a CUNA National Award

Nominations are open for the 2019 CUNA Awards, and the Cornerstone Credit Union League encourages member credit unions to recognize outstanding contributions to their members and their communities. The deadline for submissions is June 28.

CUNA’s National Award programs are designed to encourage and recognize distinguished credit unions with three awards: the Dora Maxwell Award for social responsibility, the Louise Herring Award for credit union philosophy, and the Desjardins Awards for financial education.

The Dora Maxwell Award

This prestigious award was named after early credit union pioneer Dora Maxwell, one of the original delegates who established the Credit Union National Association. Dora Maxwell worked tirelessly in developing volunteer clubs and organizations on behalf of the poor.

Credit unions receive the award for involvement in almost any kind of activity that helps other people or strengthens the structure of a community. This may include:

• Fundraising for charity;
• Educational activities; or
• Community involvement projects, such as a volunteer fair, building low-income housing, or loaning employees a few hours a week to work in hospitals, retirement homes, or schools.

Award entries are specific to each state. For details, visit Cornerstone’s Dora Maxwell Award website page.

The Louise Herring Award

Louise Herring was an active supporter, organizer, and champion of credit unions. She saw the credit union as more than just a financial institution. In her own words, "the purpose of the credit union is to reform the financial system, so that everyone can have his place in the sun."

This award is given to a credit union for its practical application of credit union philosophy within the operation of the credit union. It is awarded for internal programs and services that benefit membership, such as:

• Provisions for the small saver or borrower;
• Member programs for groups that are often economically challenged; or
• Programs that do an extraordinary job of encouraging thrift and provide a source of unbiased money management and consumer information, which would be difficult or impossible to obtain elsewhere.

Award entries are specific to each state. For details, visit Cornerstone’s Louise Herring Award website page.

The Desjardins Awards

CUNA created the Desjardins program to recognize leadership within the credit union movement on behalf of financial literacy for all ages. Besides founding the first credit unions in Canada and the U.S., Desjardins pioneered youth savings clubs and in-school banks.

The recognition program considers all activities supporting the personal finance education of members and non-members, including, face-to-face teaching using proprietary materials and curricula, as well as financial literacy leadership efforts.

Award entries are specific to each state. For details, visit the Cornerstone’s Desjardins Awards website page.

Questions?

If you have questions about these awards, contact Brandon Walker at 469-385-6426 or 800-442-5762 ext. 6426. Or send an email to bwalker@cornerstoneleague.coop.