Guidelines and reminders for the 2011
program:
Credit unions must complete the entry
form and should follow the format outline and include it with
their entries. Answering the questions is a key component of the
entry and influences the judges in their decision making.
Credit unions must also complete a checklist and include it with
their entry.
The deadline to submit entries for the
2011 award program is Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011. You must include
the entry form and checklist with your award entry. Please send
to: AVCU, Attn: John Cote, 1000 Shelburne Road, Suite 1, So.
Burlington, VT 05403-6960
Louise
Herring Philosophy in Action
Member Service Award
There
have been significant changes this year to the Louise Herring
Award Philosophy in Action Award Program. It is now called the
Louise Herring Philosophy in Action Member Service Award.
Previously, the Louise Herring Award for Philosophy in Action
was given to a credit union for its practical application of
credit union philosophy within the credit union. It was awarded
for extraordinary, internal programs focused on its membership
and created services that benefit its members. This award was
not for charitable work that was directed outside or extended
beyond a credit union’s membership.
It has now
been revised to recognize model credit union efforts to
materially improve members’ lives through programs other than
personal finance education. Credit unions that operate a
student-run in-school branch can submit their entry under the
Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member Service Award.
The
deadline to submit entries to the League for the 2011 award
program is Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011. You must include the entry
form and checklist with your award entry. Please send to: AVCU,
Attn: John Cote, 1000 Shelburne Road, Suite 1, So. Burlington,
VT 05403-6960
How to
submit an entry
Credit unions will submit their entry in a project binder,
album, or spiral bound book, along with a completed, typed entry
form (required), and two years' (current and previous year
required) balance sheets and income statements and/or NCUA's
Financial Performance Report (FPR). Support materials for the
project should be included with the entry. We will not accept
any electronic media because the national competition does not
allow for it.
AVCU will select winners for each award
from each of the following asset categories:
Dora Maxwell - asset size categories
Less than $5 million
$5 - $20 million
$20 - $50 million
$50 - $100 million
$100 - $200 million
$200 - $500 million
$500 million or more
Louise Herring - asset
size categories
Less than $50 million
$50 - $250 million
$250 million or more
Please note that only the first place winner for each award in
each category will advance to the national competition.
The deadline to submit entries for the 2011 award program is
Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011. You must include the entry form and
checklist with your award entry. Please
send to: AVCU, Attn: John Cote, 1000 Shelburne Road, Suite 1,
So. Burlington, VT 05403-6960
Frequently
Asked Questions
Q: Who was Louise Herring and why is the award named
for her?
A: Louise Herring was an active supporter, organizer and
champion of credit unions. She was the Ohio delegate to the 1934
national credit union conference in Estes Park, Colorado, where
she signed the original constitution for a national credit union
association. Louise Herring believed that credit unions should
work in a practical manner to better people's lives. She saw the
credit union as more than just a financial institution. In her
own words, "The purpose of the credit union is to reform the
financial system, so that everyone can have his place in the
sun."
Q: What time period do the award entries cover?
A: In general, entries should cover the previous year's
activities, but there are no exact deadlines prescribed. A good
rule of thumb is that entries submitted by the August 11, 2011,
deadline should cover activities taking place between May 2010
and May 2011.
Q: What's the difference between the Louise Herring
Award and the Dora Maxwell Award?
A: The Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service
Award is given to a credit union for its social responsibility
projects within the community. The award is given for external
activities. The Louise Herring Philosophy in Action Member
Service Award is given to a credit union for its practical
application of credit union philosophy within the actual
operation of the credit union. It is awarded for internal
programs and services that benefit membership.
Q: Can a credit union enter both competitions?
A: Yes. Just be sure to clearly define which program the credit
union is entering and how the activities submitted meet the
program guidelines.
Q: Can a credit union enter the same entry in both
competitions?
A: No. Because each program has different objectives and
requirements, entries should be tailored to match the defined
goals of the particular competition.
Q: Can a credit union submit
the same entry to more than one league for state-level judging?
A: No. A credit
union’s entry may only be submitted to one league, even if the
credit union pays dues in more than one state.
Q: Can a credit union submit more than one entry in
either competition?
A. A credit union should submit only one entry per competition.
Each entry can list the number of projects conducted in the
timeframe established by the league, but the credit union must
select one project that best exemplifies the criteria for each
award. The questions on the entry form must be completed
detailing the one project that was selected.
Q: Why must a credit union supply financial information
with its entry in the Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member
Service Award?
A: A credit union must be in solid financial condition in order
to provide the highest level of service to its members. Sound
financial management ensures a credit union's ability to
continue to provide that service, as well. Therefore, the entry
must include current and previous year’s (2 years total) balance
sheets and income statements and/or NCUA’s Financial Performance
Report (FPR). Entries received without the financial information
will be disqualified.
