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Community service, member education, and financial literacy—these are just some of the ways Maine credit unions carry out the People Helping People philosophy every day. (Even during a global pandemic!) To recognize credit unions for their tremendous work in these areas, the application portal is now open for entries at the state level for the prestigious Dora Maxwell, Louise Herring, and Desjardins Awards. These annual awards honor credit unions for their social responsibility initiatives and the tremendous impact they have on Mainers throughout the state.
Maine credit unions are encouraged to submit an entry in any of the award program categories. Winners will be recognized at the League’s Annual Convention in August. There is no entry fee and all state winners in each asset category will automatically be entered to compete in CUNA’s national competition in the fall.
To provide credit unions plenty of time to apply for an award (or multiple awards), the application portal is open now through Friday, May 28, 2021 at 5:00 pm, but don’t delay! Begin the process early to capture all the great work you have completed over the last year.
Award Categories
The Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award is given to a credit union or chapter for its social responsibility projects within the community. The award is given for external activities. Credit unions could 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 participating in a volunteer fair, building low-income housing, or loaning employees a few hours a week to work in hospitals, retirement homes, and schools.
The Desjardins Award recognizes leadership within the credit union movement on behalf of financial literacy for all ages. Naming the award after Alphonse Desjardins emphasizes the movement’s longtime commitment to youth. Besides founding the first credit unions in Canada and the U.S., Desjardins pioneered youth savings clubs and in-school “banks,” known as caisses scolaires. The recognition program considers all activities supporting the personal finance education of members and non-members including, but not limited to, face-to-face teaching using proprietary materials and curricula, (such as the NEFE High School Financial Planning Program® (HSFPP)), as well as financial literacy leadership efforts.
The Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member Service Award is given to a credit union for its practical application of the People Helping People philosophy in their programs and policies or within their actual operations. It is awarded for internal programs and services that benefit membership.
Submission Instructions
Award entries for the League’s state awards program are submitted through the CUNA Awards website.
You will automatically establish an account when you create an application to submit your first project. You may save your work and return to the submission site as often as needed as long as you complete and submit all parts of the project by the due date of May 28, 2021.
Award Winners
Entries are judged by a panel of state marketing and communications professionals, and award winners will be announced at the League’s Convention in August.
First-place winners are automatically entered into CUNA’s national awards program, which will take place in the fall.
Award FAQs
What is the time period the awards cover?
Awards are given for activities completed between March 1, 2020 and March 1, 2021.
Can a credit union compete in all of the competition’s categories?
Yes. A credit union may submit one entry for each of the award categories, but each entry must be unique.
Can a credit union enter the same entry in multiple programs?
No. Each program has different objectives and requirements. Entries should be tailored to match the defined goals of the particular competition.
Who can I contact with questions?
For assistance or more information, please email Jen Burke, League Public Affairs & Communications Manager, at jburke@mainecul.org.