Foundation grants help fund DE Training

Have you considered earning your Credit Union Development Education (CUDE) certification but could not afford the cost? The Cornerstone Credit Union Foundation may be able to help.

Credit union grants consist of various requests that promote the success and advancement of credit unions in the Cornerstone region. They can assist with professional development and training of credit union staff through programs like DE Training.

Here’s what some of the credit union managers and executives in the Cornerstone region have to say about the Foundation grants they received, which helped them complete DE Training.

“CUDE was life changing for me,” said Amy Rayer, member services manager, Tarrant County’s Credit Union. “Now with a full understanding of the movement, I will lead differently; I will empathize with my members more; and I will keep our purpose constant.”

“By understanding the issues facing our members in regard to money, medical conditions, and the bills they deal with day after day, I can help our team design our products, services, policies, and procedures to help our member/owners in a financial landscape that’s driven by profit rather than service,” said Tammy Passafiume, president/CEO, Diamond Lakes Federal Credit Union.

Passafiume continued, “A goal of our credit union is to send our entire senior management team to CUDE training. The Cornerstone Credit Union Foundation Development Grant facilitated our meeting this goal to further our commitment to our credit union, our members, and our community: to provide services to low- to moderate-income individuals and families in our field of membership.”

“I had an opportunity to attend the CUDE program,” said Valarie Prillman, VP HR & Compliance, Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union. “I had no idea what to expect since I was the first person to attend from my credit union. I learned so much about credit unions, our pioneers, and the operating principles. This has been a phenomenal growth experience for me. I have worked with credit unions since 2006, and I was not aware of these issues laid out like this.”

Grants are made possible thanks to contributions from credit unions, individuals, chapters, and vendors. To find out more about grants, visit the website. The deadline to apply is Feb. 21, 2020.

For questions or additional information, contact Emily Moreno CUDE, CCUFC, Foundation grant manager, at emoreno@cscuf.coop or 469-385-6483.

About the Credit Union Development Education™ Program
Offered through the National Credit Union Foundation, DE Training is an experiential program that provides lessons in credit union structure, purpose, and how they differentiate from other financial institutions. During the week-long program, participants take part in group exercises, field visits, and interactive speaker sessions to gain 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.