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Fifteen CU Professionals Receive International CUDE Designations

Christopher Morris
608-231-4374
cmorris@ncuf.coop

Recipients Completed Local Credit Union Development Education Program & International Work

Madison, Wis. – The seven international Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) programs in partnership with World Council of Credit Unions, recognized the fourth class of International Credit Union Development Education (I-CUDE) designees at the recent 2012 World Credit Union Conference in Gdańsk, Poland.

Fifteen credit union professionals received the I-CUDE distinction. They were:

  • Sharon Angus-Crawshaw – North Wales Credit Union, United Kingdom;
  • Mercedes D. Castillo – VICTO National, Philippines;
  • Richard L. “Dick” Ensweiler -Texas Credit Union League, Farmers Branch, Texas;
  • Carlene Frimer – United Communities Credit Union, Canada;
  • Kathy Garner – Catalyst Corporate FCU, Duluth, Ga.;
  • Angela Hampson – Glasgow Credit Union, United Kingdom;
  • Mary Henderson – Glasgow Credit Union, United Kingdom;
  • Terri Hendrix – SC Telco FCU, Greenville, S.C.;
  • Alan Hignett – Hull & East Yorkshire Credit Union, United Kingdom;
  • Robert Kelly – NHS Credit Union, United Kingdom;
  • Barbara Main – Main Communications, Madison, Wis.;
  • Jill Nowacki – Maps Credit Union, Salem, Ore.;
  • Kelly V. Schermerhorn – CES Credit Union, Mount Vernon, Ohio;
  • Edwina Sykes – No1 CopperPot Credit Union/North Yorkshire Credit Union, United Kingdom; and
  • Kevin Waters – Staffordshire Credit Union, United Kingdom.

“Congratulations to this year’s group of I-CUDE recipients,” said Lois Kitsch, National Program Director at the National Credit Union Foundation. “After all their hard work, these 15 individuals truly realize the impact and importance of credit union development internationally.”

The Development Education Program is designed to encourage an international exchange of ideas and opportunities around credit union philosophy. In an effort to encourage trained development educators to learn from their international peers and to learn from international travel opportunities, the seven international CUDE programs offer their development educators the opportunity to achieve an I-CUDE designation.

To achieve the distinction of an I-CUDE, development educators must:

  1. Complete their local DE program;
  2. Complete an independent studies project appropriate to the learning objectives of the DE program;
  3. Participate in an international program, conference or training opportunity. This may include but is not limited to an international DE program, an international immersion program or an international volunteer assignment; and
  4. Attend World Council’s World Credit Union Conference or a regional confederation conference.

The seven international DE programs are based in Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe, Great Britain, the Philippines and the United States. Persons holding local DE certification who are interested in applying for international certification (space is limited) should contact the following local program leaders:

  • Asia – Ranjith Hettiarachchi, CEO, Association of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions, Thailand;
  • Australia – Peter Mason, Credit Union Foundation Australia;
  • Caribbean – Melvin Edwards, CEO, Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions, West Indies;
  • Europe – Marlene Shiels, Chief Executive, Capital Credit Union Ltd., Scotland;
  • Great Britain – Mary Henderson, Glasgow Credit Union, United Kingdom;
  • Philippines – Mercedes D. Castillo, VICTO National, Philippines; and
  • U.S. – Christopher Morris or Lois Kitsch, National Credit Union Foundation.

More about the DE Program:
The mission of the Credit Union Development Education (DE) program is to promote credit unions’ social responsibility and domestic and international development through interactive adult education and professional networking. By linking credit unions’ past and present, the DE program brings renewed relevance to credit unions’ seven cooperative principles and the philosophy of “People Helping People.”

Over the past 30 years, more than 1,000 credit union advocates from over 30 countries have graduated from DE Training to become Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs).  Once they earn their CUDE designation, people return to their jobs with a sense of personal enrichment and renewed energy to share what they have learned.  This growing corps of credit union advocates devotes professional and volunteer time to spreading the credit union message to audiences throughout the country.

The National Credit Union Foundation is the primary sponsor of the DE program.  Support is provided by CUNA Mutual Group, the Credit Union National Association, the World Council of Credit Unions, state foundations and leagues.

For more information on the DE program, visit www.ncuf.coop under Foundation Programs.

About the National Credit Union Foundation (ncuf.coop):
The National Credit Union Foundation is the US credit union movement’s primary national philanthropic program provider, fundraiser and grant-maker. Through NCUF grants and programs, credit unions provide widespread financial education, create greater access to affordable financial services, and empower more consumers to save, build assets, and own homes.

NCUF is funded primarily by investments in the award-winning Community Investment Fund (CIF) and by generous Corporate Supporters led by the Credit Union National Association and CUNA Mutual.  All NCUF donors provide support that empowers NCUF and state credit union foundations to make financial freedom achievable through credit unions.

The National Credit Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization. NCUF continues to earn the Better Business Bureau seal of approval as an “Accredited Charity” for meeting all 20 BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards for national charities.

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