Desjardins Youth and Adult Financial Education Awards 2014 Credit Union and Chapter Program Description

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1 Desjardins Youth and Adult Financial Education Awards 2014 Credit Union and Chapter Program Description Purpose To formally recognize the leadership of individual credit unions and chapters (or groups of credit unions) on behalf of youth and adult financial education. Categories Judges will evaluate state-level credit union/chapter youth and adult financial education award winners from each of the following five categories (assets as of 12/31/13): Procedure Chapters or credit union groups (all asset sizes) Credit unions with less than $50 million in assets Credit unions with between $50 million and $150 million in assets Credit unions with between $150 million and $500 million in assets Credit unions with more than $500 million in assets Credit unions and chapters will submit their completed entry forms, checklists, and evidentiary materials in a three-ring binder or spiral bound notebook for state-level judging to their leagues by the date each league specifies. Check with your league for its state-level judging deadline. Be sure to consult "Secrets of a Winning Credit Union/Chapter Entry" before compiling your submission. Follow the format requirements on the entry form Program Timetable DECEMBER 2013 JANUARY 2014: CUNA announces 2014 recognition program, loads entry information on CUNA's website. FEBRUARY 2014 through AUGUST 2014: CUNA and leagues make award information available online. AUGUST 29, 2014: League and state-level winning entries due to CUNA from leagues. OCTOBER 2014: National judging. OCTOBER 2014: CUNA announces national winners. NOVEMBER 2014: CUNA returns non-winning entries to leagues. FEBRUARY 2015: CUNA displays winning national entries at the Governmental Affairs Conference and presents national awards at a private reception there. MARCH 2015: CUNA returns winning entries to leagues. Contact Information Direct questions about the Desjardins recognition program to Vikki Kinsler at vkinsler@cuna.com, or call , ext

2 Frequently Asked Questions about the Credit Union/Chapter Desjardins Youth and Adult Financial Education Awards Q: Why did CUNA add adult financial education to the Desjardins recognition program? A: CUNA created the Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award in response to the growing awareness of the need for lifelong financial literacy and credit unions' leadership in that area. Q: What adult financial education activities are eligible? A: The Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award recognizes model credit union/chapter efforts to teach personal finance concepts and skills to members and nonmembers age 18 and older. Examples: Group seminar or webinar Instruction of underserved group Instruction at personal finance events Online Q&A with expert Regular personal finance segment in local media Presentation series to SEG group One-on-one financial counseling or credit report review and similar innovative activities Q: What youth financial education activities are eligible? A: The Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award recognizes model credit union efforts to teach personal finance concepts and skills to members and nonmembers under age 18. Examples: Classroom presentation series Credit prerequisite course Special savers or borrowers club Online personal finance curriculum and similar innovative activities Live group budgeting simulation Peer-to-peer financial counseling NEFE High School Financial Planning Program instruction for underserved group Q: Why did you remove in-school branches and financial literacy advocacy from the Desjardins award? How do I get recognition for these activities? A: This change was part of an overall strategy to more clearly define all of CUNA's recognition programs. Member service to youth through in-school branch operations is now eligible for recognition under the Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member Service Award. (Credit unions' work with schools to teach personal finance in the classroom is still covered by the Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award program.) Financial literacy advocacy is now eligible for recognition under the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award. Q: What period do the award entries cover? A: Judges will evaluate relevant activities that took place between June 2013 and the (individual leaguedetermined) state-level deadlines. 33

3 Q: How does Desjardins scoring work? A: Each league may use the scoring system described below or develop its own system for state-level judging. There are three national judging criteria for both the Desjardins youth and adult awards. All national entries will be judged on their responses to mandatory Criteria 1, 2, and 3. (Follow links below to the various entry forms for descriptions of all criteria.) Based on the three criteria, judges will compare raw scores as a percentage of 60 maximum points. At least 48 points (80% of maximum) are required to win, receive second place or honorable mention. The national Desjardins credit union/chapter award in any given category will go to the entry that receives the highest score above 80%. For example, in a single category: Finalist A receives 49 of 60 pts. (81.6% of maximum) Finalist B receives 50 of 60 pts. (83.3% of maximum) Finalist C receives 45 of 60 pts. (75% of maximum) With the highest percentage score, B wins the award. A would receive second place, and because C falls below the 80% minimum needed, they would not place. Q: How does a league determine state-level Desjardins winners? A: Each league may use the scoring system described above or develop its own system for state-level judging. Consult your league for details. Winners are ranked using a point system, and the first place winners are selected to advance to CUNA for national level competition. (Reminder: Only one first-place chapter winner and only one first-place credit union winner per asset category can advance to the national competition from any given state.) If there are multiple first-place awards in a given category at the state level, the league must apply a tie-breaker, so that only a single entry advances for that chapter or credit union asset category. Q: How many credit union and chapter entries may a league submit for national Desjardins program judging? A: For the youth award, and separately for the adult award, each league is limited to entering one credit union entry in each asset category and one chapter entry for national judging. (See the credit union asset categories above.) With one chapter category and four credit union asset categories, there could be a maximum of five state-level youth award winners and five state-level adult award winners advancing to national competition per state. Q: What is the judging fee for national credit union and chapter entries? A: There is a $50 fee for each credit union and chapter entry submitted to CUNA for national Desjardins Award judging. 34

4 Q: What is the judging fee for state-level credit union and chapter entries? A: Each league will determine the entry fee, if any, for state-level competition. Consult your league for details. Q: How many Desjardins Award winners will there be? A: State-level judges will determine no more than one first-place winner in each asset category and one chapter winner per state. State-level judges are not required to select a first-place winner in any category. State-level judges may recognize a second place and as many honorable mention awards in any category as they see fit (provided they meet the minimum percentage needed). National judges will determine no more than one first-place winner in each asset category and one chapter winner per state. National judges are not required to select a first-place winner in any category. National judges may recognize a second place, and any number of qualified honorable mention awards in any category as they see fit (provided they meet the minimum percentage needed). Q: What are the procedures for credit unions and chapters that wish to submit entries in the Desjardins Award program? A: See the Credit Union Entry Form--Youth, the CU Entry Form--Adult and the Credit Union Checklist. See also the Chapter Entry Form--Youth, Chapter Entry Form--Adult and Chapter Checklist. Q: Who was Alphonse Desjardins? A: Alphonse Desjardins ( ) was a credit union pioneer who was instrumental in forming the Canadian and U.S. credit union movements. Besides helping to found the first credit unions in Canada and the U.S., Desjardins pioneered youth savings clubs and in-school "banks," known as caisses scolaires. 35

5 Credit Union Name Credit Union President Contact Person Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award 2014 Credit Union Entry Form Title Address Address City State Zip Phone Number Fax Number P.O. Box (if applicable) City State Zip Category (assets as of 12/31/13) Less than $50 million in assets Between $50 million and $150 million in assets Between $150 million and $500 million in assets More than $500 million in assets ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS Submit the completed Credit Union Checklist, with this Entry Form, and your entry to your league by the league's deadline. Submit materials in a three-ring binder or spiral bound notebook, with tabs for the major sections see Entry Format below. (Entries will be returned no later than March 2015.) Your entry must address each of the three criteria described on page two. (See How does Desjardins scoring work? in the credit union/chapter program FAQs.) IMPORTANT: For each criterion, limit your submission as follows:, which judges will scrutinize., which judges will read. Optional appendix of secondary exhibits, which judges will skim. Present your best case for each of the three criteria, following the submission limits and entry format. Remember that excessive length and poor organization might hinder evaluation and consideration. (Ignore Secrets of a Winning Credit Union Entry at your peril.) 36

6 ENTRY FORMAT 1. Adult Instruction [tab] 2. Awareness [tab] 3. Collaboration [tab] 4. Adult Instruction Exhibits [tab] 5. Awareness Exhibits [tab] 6. Collaboration Exhibits [tab] ENTRY CRITERIA Mandatory Criterion 1 Adult Instruction (20 points max.) Describe your credit union's best effort, with evidence of success, in any of the following areas: a) Teach adults about personal finance and related topics in or out of a classroom setting. b) Assist adults in developing a savings habit and responsible money management skills through programs or events. Mandatory Criterion 2 Awareness (20 points max.) Describe your credit union's best effort, with evidence of success, in any of the following areas: a) Inform employers, credit union people, elected officials, the press, and the public about the problem of adult financial illiteracy. b) Persuade local employers, service organizations, and technical schools to provide personal finance instruction for adults, Mandatory Criterion 3 Collaboration (20 points max.) Describe your credit union's best effort, with evidence of success, in any of the following areas: a) Work with other organizations to provide adult financial education and financial literacy leadership. b) Assist in the training of instructors and volunteers to teach personal finance. 37

7 Credit Union Name Credit Union President Contact Person Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award 2014 Credit Union Entry Form Title Address Address City State Zip Phone Number Fax Number P.O. Box (if applicable) City State Zip Category (assets as of 12/31/13) Less than $50 million in assets Between $50 million and $150 million in assets Between $150 million and $500 million in assets More than $500 million in assets ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS Submit the completed Credit Union Checklist, with this Entry Form, and your entry (3) to your league by the league's deadline. Submit materials in a three-ring binder or spiral bound notebook, with tabs for the major sections see Entry Format below. (Entries will be returned no later than March 2015.) Your entry must address each of the three criteria described on page two. (See How does Desjardins scoring work? in the credit union/chapter program FAQs.) IMPORTANT: For each criterion, limit your submission as follows:, which judges will scrutinize., which judges will read. Optional appendix of secondary exhibits, which judges will skim. Present your best case for each of the three criteria, following the submission limits and entry format. Remember that excessive length and poor organization might hinder evaluation and consideration. (Ignore Secrets of a Winning Credit Union/Chapter Entry at your peril.) 38

8 ENTRY FORMAT 1. Youth Instruction [tab] 2. Awareness [tab] 3. Collaboration [tab] 4. Youth Instruction Exhibits [tab] 5. Awareness Exhibits [tab] 6. Collaboration Exhibits [tab] ENTRY CRITERIA Mandatory Criterion 1 Youth Instruction (20 points max.) Describe your credit union's best effort, with evidence of success, in any of the following areas: a) Teach young people about personal finance and related topics in or out of the classroom. b) Assist young people in developing a savings habit and responsible money management skills through programs or events. Mandatory Criterion 2 Awareness (20 points max.) Describe your credit union's best effort, with evidence of success, in any of the following areas: a) Inform teachers and school officials, credit union people, elected officials, the press, and the public about the problem of youth financial illiteracy,. b) Persuade parents and schools to provide personal finance instruction. Mandatory Criterion 3 Collaboration (20 points max.) Describe your credit union's best effort, with evidence of success, in any of the following areas: a) Work with other organizations to provide youth financial education and financial literacy leadership. b) Assist in the training of teachers and/or classroom volunteers to teach personal finance to youth. 39

9 Desjardins Youth and Adult Financial Education Award 2014 CREDIT UNION Checklist The following checklist will ensure that Desjardins youth and/or adult financial education entries are complete. Please include the completed checklist with your entry form. Does your Entry Form state that it is intended for the credit union division of the Desjardins Award program? Is your Entry Form the proper one for your youth or adult entry? Does your Entry Form include your contact person's name and address, and your credit union's president s name, credit union name, address, and phone number? Does your Entry Form state your credit union's asset size as of 12/31/13? Are all your entry materials in either a three-ring binder or a spiral-bound notebook? Does your entry follow the required format for organizing your one-page narrative and your best primary and secondary evidence to show the quality and uniqueness of your effort? Is your entry concise and readable? Will the judges be able to find the strongest, most relevant information for each criterion? Focus on your most important accomplishment in each area. (See Secrets of a Winning Credit Union-Chapter (Group) Entry. ) Does your entry show how your youth or adult financial education efforts went beyond what is normally expected of a credit union? Submit this completed Checklist, with your Entry Form, and entry to your league by its state-level judging deadline. 40

10 Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award 2014 Chapter or Credit Union Group Entry Form Chapter or Group Name Contact Person Title Address Contact Street Address City State Zip Phone Number Fax Number P.O. Box (if applicable) City State Zip Names of Participating Credit Unions in Chapter or Group ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS Submit the completed Credit Union Checklist, with this Entry Form, and your entry to your league by the league's deadline. Submit materials in a three-ring binder or spiral bound notebook, with tabs for the major sections see Entry Format below. (Entries will be returned no later than March 2015.) Your entry must address each of the three criteria described on page two. (See How does Desjardins scoring work? in the credit union/chapter program FAQs.) IMPORTANT: For each criterion, limit your submission as follows:, which judges will scrutinize., which judges will read. Optional appendix of secondary exhibits, which judges will skim. Present your best case for each of the three criteria, following the submission limits and entry format. Remember that excessive length and poor organization might hinder evaluation and consideration. (Ignore Secrets of a Winning Credit Union Entry at your peril.) 41

11 ENTRY FORMAT 1. Adult Instruction [tab] 2. Awareness [tab] 3. Collaboration [tab] 4. Adult Instruction Exhibits [tab] 5. Awareness Exhibits [tab] 6. Collaboration Exhibits [tab] ENTRY CRITERIA Mandatory Criterion 1 Adult Instruction (20 points max.) Describe your credit union's best effort, with evidence of success, in any of the following areas: a) Teach adults about personal finance and related topics in or out of a classroom setting. b) Assist adults in developing a savings habit and responsible money management skills through programs or events. Mandatory Criterion 2 Awareness (20 points max.) Describe your credit union's best effort, with evidence of success, in any of the following areas: a) Inform employers, credit union people, elected officials, the press, and the public about the problem of adult financial illiteracy. b) Persuade local employers, service organizations, and technical schools to provide personal finance instruction for adults. Mandatory Criterion 3 Collaboration (20 points max.) Describe your credit union's best effort, with evidence of success, in any of the following areas: a) Work with other organizations to provide adult financial education and financial literacy leadership. b) Assist in the training of instructors and volunteers to teach personal finance. 42

12 Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award 2014 Chapter or Credit Union Group Entry Form Chapter or Group Name Contact Person Title Address Contact Street Address City State Zip Phone Number Fax Number P.O. Box (if applicable) City State Zip Names of Participating Credit Unions in Chapter or Group ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS Submit the completed Credit Union Checklist, with this Entry Form, and your entry to your league by the league's deadline. Submit materials in a three-ring binder or spiral bound notebook, with tabs for the major sections see Entry Format below. (Entries will be returned no later than March 2015.) Your entry must address each of the three criteria described on page two. (See How does Desjardins scoring work? in the credit union/chapter program FAQs.) IMPORTANT: For each criterion, limit your submission as follows:, which judges will scrutinize., which judges will read. Optional appendix of secondary exhibits, which judges will skim. Present your best case for each of the three criteria, following the submission limits and entry format. Remember that excessive length and poor organization might hinder evaluation and consideration. (Ignore Secrets of a Winning Credit Union Entry at your peril.) 43

13 ENTRY FORMAT 1. Youth Instruction [tab] 2. Awareness [tab] 3. Collaboration [tab] 4. Youth Instruction Exhibits [tab] 5. Awareness Exhibits [tab] 6. Collaboration Exhibits [tab] ENTRY CRITERIA Mandatory Criterion 1 Youth Instruction (20 points max.) Describe your credit union group's best effort, with evidence of success, in any of the following areas: a) Teach young people about personal finance and related topics in or out of the classroom. b) Assist young people in developing a savings habit and responsible money management skills through programs or events. Mandatory Criterion 2 Awareness and Teacher Training (20 points max.) Describe your credit union group's best effort, with evidence of success, in any of the following areas: a) Inform teachers and school officials, credit union people, elected officials, the press, and the public about the problem of youth financial illiteracy. b) Persuade parents and schools to provide personal finance instruction. Mandatory Criterion 3 Collaboration (20 points max.) Describe your credit union group's best effort, with evidence of success, in any of the following areas: a) Work with other organizations to provide youth financial education and financial literacy leadership. b) Assist in the training of teachers and/or classroom volunteers to teach personal finance to youth. 44

14 Desjardins Youth and Adult Financial Education Award 2014 CHAPTER or Credit Union Group Checklist The following checklist will ensure that Desjardins youth and adult financial education entries are complete. Please include the completed checklist with your entry form. Does your Entry Form state that it is intended for the chapter or credit union group division of the Desjardins Award program? Is your Entry Form the proper one for your youth or adult entry? Does your Entry Form include your chapter's or group's name, address, contact person's name, phone number, and address? Does your Entry Form list all participating credit unions in the chapter or group? Are all your entry materials in either a three-ring binder or a spiral-bound notebook? Does your entry follow the required format for organizing your one-page narratives and your best primary and secondary evidence to show the quality and uniqueness of your effort? Is your entry concise and readable? Will the judges be able to find the strongest, most relevant information for each criterion? Focus on your most important accomplishment in each area. (See Secrets of a Winning Credit Union-Chapter (Group) Entry. ) Does your entry show how your youth or adult financial education efforts went beyond what is normally expected of credit unions? Submit this completed Checklist, with your Entry Form, and entry to your league by its state-level judging deadline. 45

15 Secrets of a Winning Credit Union/Chapter Entry for the Desjardins Financial Education Award Do you wonder what the judges are looking for when they examine national entries in the Desjardins recognition program? Here's their list of characteristics of a winning credit union or chapter entry: Compelling. Tell a story. Make your case as if you were writing an article for the trade press. Keep the narrative your description of your financial education efforts and why they're exemplary separate from the supporting evidence. Appropriate. Read the rules, and make sure you're entering the appropriate competition. The Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award focuses on teaching members and nonmembers under the age of 18 about personal finance and providing financial literacy leadership. The Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award focuses on teaching members and nonmembers age 18 and older. The judges will give precedence to activities since June 1, Relevant. Review the entry form carefully and respond to all applicable judging criteria. There are three mandatory measures (see "How does Desjardins scoring work?" under Credit Union/Chapter Program Description & FAQs). Scoring is based on these elements, so the more relevant information you provide, the higher your score. Many times we receive information that is interesting, but not relevant to the application. Clearly demonstrate how the program(s) is used and the impact (i.e., how many people/groups have been taught using the materials). Focused. For each criterion, it's better to describe and substantiate in detail your single best program than to list many smaller activities or events. This allows you to present your best case. The Desjardins Award is not a marketing recognition program. Don't include advertising samples and promotional PowerPoint presentations. They only make it harder for the judges to find what really matters the educational content and how you delivered it. Follow the format requirements on the entry form. Original, Unique and Innovative. There's nothing wrong with using commercially prepared educational materials. If you did, however, be sure to show how you adapted the materials to the needs of your particular member or nonmember audience. Show how you went beyond the prepared materials to engage your audience more deeply. In any case, explain what makes your credit union s or chapter s efforts unique and worthy of national recognition. Have you created any new and innovative partnerships? Is this a completely original program? Or is it a twist on something that s been done for a long time? Emphasize the creativity and uniqueness of your program. While monetary donations are admirable, the judges will look for strong personal involvement. Proven. What were the goals of your efforts and how did people benefit? Provide concrete, relevant evidence of program effectiveness. What positive results did you measure and can you document them? The judges love to read about results and success stories. Organized. Make your entry easy to read and easy to follow. Include the name of your credit union/chapter on the front cover. Use a table of contents. Using tabbed index pages separating and identifying the 3 criteria, as well as any exhibits, makes it easier for the judges to find what they re looking for quickly. Avoid handwritten entries and misspellings. Use standard fonts, white paper, and black type. Keep your entry to a manageable size bigger is not better. The judges want to get to the meat of the program, without having to search for the answers. Of course, only a limited number of entries can win at the national level. By heeding this advice, you'll improve your credit union's or chapter's chances of receiving recognition for its good works. Direct questions about the Desjardins recognition program to Vikki Kinsler at ( , ext. 4234, or vkinsler@cuna.com). 46

16 Past Desjardins Award Recipients To view the list of past Desjardins Award Recipients, please click here. Note: For the 2010 through 2013 winners, you can click on their names to view their entry forms. 47