 | "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 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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|  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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