Carolinas CUDE Network
The Carolinas CUDE Network works cooperatively to raise awareness of the social purpose of credit unions. By teaching credit union history and purpose, and creating programs that help members thrive, DEs contribute to the success of credit unions and communities.
There are more than 150 CUDEs in the Carolinas today, with engagement in the Carolinas CUDE Network open to anyone who has successfully earned the Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) designation. Quarterly virtual and in-person meetings take place, and a LinkedIn group was created to further connections between quarterly meet-ups.
The Carolinas CUDE Network are strong promoters of the National Credit Union Foundation’s CUDE program through its CUDE Scholarship program, available to Carolinas credit unions.
History of the Carolinas CUDE Group
In January 2010 during the of the financial crisis, 20 Credit Union Development Educators from North Carolina and South Carolina came together to explore ways to increase awareness of and appreciation for the Cooperative Principles of credit unions and cooperatives. The intent of the group was for credit unions to understand their unique history and tradition of providing financial services to everyday working people.
From this initial gathering, a two-day Principles & Philosophy Conference emerged. Facilitated by Lois Kitsch of the National CU Foundation and Larry Blanchard of CUNA Mutual Group, this immersion experience educated 30 staff about the history and impact of credit unions.
In the years since, the conference has grown in terms of attendance, impact and prominence in North Carolina and South Carolina, as well as the credit union system. In a typical year, between 40-50 credit union staff attend the conference from the Carolinas.
The Principles & Philosophy Conference is also unique in that it is planned and presented by a volunteer group of CUDEs each year. These volunteers give considerable time in the months leading up to the conference, as well as leading all aspects of the conference on-site.
All conference earnings are donated to a CUDE Scholarship Fund at the Foundation that provides credit union staff scholarship opportunities to attend CUDE as well as future Principles & Philosophy Conferences.
The Work Continues
The Carolinas CUDE Group continues to fulfill the credit union ethic of people helping people in other ways beyond their ongoing support of the above programs. The group participates in the annual International DE Day of Service, which is held the second Wednesday of June each year. CUDEs across the Carolinas, the US and the world work individually or collectively to complete a project to improve the lives of others, and then tell the story.
The Carolinas CUDE Group also holds quarterly virtual and in-person meetings to connect, share and collaborate on events. Most recently, a ‘20s Soiree held in Raleigh raised $9,000 for CU4Kids.
A merch page to raise funds for the CUDE Scholarship Fund can be found here. The merch page includes tee-shirts and sweatshirts featuring the iconic “umbrella man” logo design created nearly 100 years ago. A limited first run is slated for early October with additional ordering options open throughout the year.
The group also works on a variety of informal cooperative opportunities individually and collectively through the year. If you would like more information on the Carolinas CUDE Network or you are interested in becoming a CUDE, please contact Jeff Hardin, the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation’s director of collaborative programs, at 336-601-1764.