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Community service, member education, and financial literacy—these are just some of the ways Maine credit unions give back and carry out the People Helping People philosophy. To honor their efforts and the difference they are making in both the lives of their members and in their communities, the League presented social responsibility awards to five credit unions in four distinct categories.
“There is no limit to what credit unions will do to help improve the financial lives of those around them,” said Jen Burke, League Communications & Public Affairs Manager. “I’m glad we recognize their time, dedication, and ingenuity through this important awards program. While they don’t carry out these initiatives for the accolades, their meaningful efforts deserve to be highlighted.”
Entries were judged by a panel of state marketing and communications professionals. The first-place winners will be considered by CUNA for their national awards program taking place later this year.
2022 Award Winners by Category and Asset Size
Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award ($50 – $250 million in assets)
- 1st Place: Community CU
Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award ($50 – $250 million in assets)
- 1st Place: Community CU
Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award ($50 – $250 million in assets)
- 1st Place: NorState FCU
- 2nd Place: Community CU
Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award ($250 million – $1 billion in assets)
- 1st Place: Downeast CU
Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member Service Award (Less than $50 million in assets)
- 1st Place: Changing Seasons FCU
Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member Service Award ($50 – $250 million in assets)
- 1st Place: Community CU
Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member Service Award ($250 million – $1 billion in assets)
- 1st Place: Five County CU
Award Category Descriptions
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®), 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.
Congratulations to the credit union award winners!