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(At left, John Doe, Board Chair at Eastmill FCU and League Director, and Elise Baldacci, Director of Governmental Affairs for the Maine CU League, proudly hold the League's national, first-place Desjardins Award for Youth Financial Education.)
While the primary focus of the recent Credit Union National Association's (CUNA) Governmental Affairs Conference for Maine credit unions was advocacy, the Conference also included recognition for the Maine CU League and two Maine credit unions. In total, eight national awards went home in the suitcases of Maine attendees. "Maine's credit unions are active in so many different activities including CULAC fundraising, youth financial education and community-service. To have multiple, national winners in these categories speaks to the commitment and efforts of Maine's credit unions," stated Jon Paradise, Vice President of Governmental and Public Affairs for the Maine Credit Union League.
(Community CU's President/CEO Jen Hogan holds two of the CU's four national awards, including three first-place awards.)
Six of the awards came from the Dora Maxwell, Louise Herring and Desjardins Award programs, with Community CU garnering an impressive four awards including a first-place Dora Maxwell, a first-place Desjardins Youth Financial Eeducation Award, a first-place Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award, and a second-place Louise Herring Award. Jen Hogan, President/CEO of Community CU, called it "gratifying to have our credit union recognized with four national awards, especially up against entries from across the country. I was pleased to be there in person to receive the awards." In addition, Town & Country FCU received an Honorable Mention Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award. Linda Halleran, Public Relations and Marketing Manager for TCFCU, said, "Our credit union is committed to helping provide financial education to our members so to be recognized for that commitment is rewarding for all of us. It was very nice to be honored at the Reception." Finally, the Maine Credit Union League took top honors with a first-place Desjardins Award for Youth Financial Education, marking the 14th consecutive year that the League and Maine credit unions have received a national award for youth financial education initiatives and involvement. "2016 was a record-breaking year for Maine credit unions, in terms of reaching nearly 7,000 high school students with one of the Financial Fitness Fairs, and an additional 10,000 or so students through other outreach and initiatives. Each year, we continue to work hard to reach more students with youth financial education," stated Paradise.
(Town & Country FCU received a national Desjardins Award for Adult Financial Education for its Money Conference. Pictured with CUNA President/CEO, Jim Nussle, second from left, are: Jessica Bishop, Linda Halleran, and David Libby, President/CEO.)
For CULAC Fundraising, the Maine CU League placed in fifth in percentage of funds raised over goal, achieving a total that was 219% of the initial goal set forth by CUNA. For its results, the League received a CULAC Capitol Circle Award. In addition to the League, CULAC also presented a new award this year to the credit union that raised the most funds for CULAC in each state. In Maine, Evergreen CU took home the inaugural Circle of Excellence Award for CULAC by raising nearly $6,000 in 2016.
Entries for the 2017 State Dora Maxwell, Louise Herring and Desjardins Awards closed at the end of March, and all entries will be judged during the month of April. All entries will be recognized at the Maine CU League's Annual Meeting and Convention May 19-20, at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. First-place winners will compete in the national competition in the fall.