Download Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award 2012 Chapter or Credit

Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award
2012 Chapter or Credit Union Group Entry Form
Chapter or Group Name
Contact Person
Title _________________________________ E-mail Address_________________________
Contact Street Address _________________________________________________________
City _______________________________ State ___________ Zip _____________________
Phone Number _________________________ Fax Number ___________________________
P.O. Box (if applicable) _________City _____________________ State _____ Zip __________
Names of Participating Credit Unions in Chapter or Group
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS
Submit the completed Credit Union Checklist (1) with this form (2) and your entry (3) to your league by
the league's deadline.
Submit materials in a three-ring binder or spiral bound notebook, with tabs for the major sections—see
Entry Format below. (Entries will be returned no later than March 2013.)
Your entry must address each of the three criteria described on page two. (See “How does Desjardins
scoring work?” in the credit union/chapter program FAQs.)
IMPORTANT CHANGE: For each criterion, limit your submission as
follows:
 1-page narrative, which judges will scrutinize.
 Up to 5 pages of primary evidence, which judges will read.
 Optional appendix of secondary exhibits, which judges will skim.
Present your best case for each of the three criteria, following the submission limits and entry format.
Remember that excessive length and poor organization might hinder evaluation and consideration.
(Ignore “Secrets of a Winning Credit Union Entry” at your peril.)
ENTRY FORMAT
1. Adult Instruction [tab]
1-page narrative
Up to 5 pages of primary evidence
2. Awareness [tab]
1-page narrative
Up to 5 pages of primary evidence
3. Collaboration [tab]
1-page narrative
Up to 5 pages of primary evidence
4. Adult Instruction Exhibits [tab]
5. Awareness Exhibits [tab]
6. Collaboration Exhibits [tab]
ENTRY CRITERIA
Mandatory Criterion 1
Adult Instruction (20 points max.) Describe your credit union's best effort, with evidence of success,
in any of the following areas:
a) Teach adults about personal finance and related topics in or out of a classroom setting.
b) Assist adults in developing a savings habit and responsible money management skills
through programs or events.
Mandatory Criterion 2
Awareness (20 points max.) Describe your credit union's best effort, with evidence of success, in any
of the following areas:
a) Inform employers, credit union people, elected officials, the press, and the public about the
problem of adult financial illiteracy.
b) Persuade local employers, service organizations, and technical schools to provide personal
finance instruction for adults.
Mandatory Criterion 3
Collaboration (20 points max.) Describe your credit union's best effort, with evidence of success, in
any of the following areas:
a) Work with other organizations to provide adult financial education and financial literacy
leadership.
b) Assist in the training of instructors and volunteers to teach personal finance.
Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award
2012 Chapter or Credit Union Group Entry Form
Chapter or Group Name
Contact Person
Title ________________________________ E-mail Address __________________________
Contact Street Address _________________________________________________________
City ______________________________ State _____________ Zip ____________________
Phone Number __________________________ Fax Number ___________________________
P.O. Box (if applicable) __________City ____________________State ____ Zip ___________
Names of Participating Credit Unions in Chapter or Group
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS
Submit the completed Credit Union Checklist (1) with this form (2) and your entry (3) to your league by
the league's deadline.
Submit materials in a three-ring binder or spiral bound notebook, with tabs for the major sections—see
Entry Format below. (Entries will be returned no later than March 2013.)
Your entry must address each of the three criteria described on page two. (See “How does Desjardins
scoring work?” in the credit union/chapter program FAQs.)
IMPORTANT CHANGE: For each criterion, limit your submission as
follows:
 1-page narrative, which judges will scrutinize.
 Up to 5 pages of primary evidence, which judges will read.
 Optional appendix of secondary exhibits, which judges will skim.
Present your best case for each of the three criteria, following the submission limits and entry format.
Remember that excessive length and poor organization might hinder evaluation and consideration.
(Ignore “Secrets of a Winning Credit Union Entry” at your peril.)
ENTRY FORMAT
1. Youth Instruction [tab]
1-page narrative
Up to 5 pages of primary evidence
2. Awareness [tab]
1-page narrative
Up to 5 pages of primary evidence
3. Collaboration [tab]
1-page narrative
Up to 5 pages of primary evidence
4. Youth Instruction Exhibits [tab]
5. Awareness Exhibits [tab]
6. Collaboration Exhibits [tab]
ENTRY CRITERIA
Mandatory Criterion 1
Youth Instruction (20 points max.) Describe your credit union group's best effort, with evidence of
success, in any of the following areas:
a) Teach young people about personal finance and related topics in or out of the classroom.
b) Assist young people in developing a savings habit and responsible money management skills
through programs or events.
Mandatory Criterion 2
Awareness and Teacher Training (20 points max.) Describe your credit union group's best effort,
with evidence of success, in any of the following areas:
a) Inform teachers and school officials, credit union people, elected officials, the press, and the
public about the problem of youth financial illiteracy.
b) Persuade parents and schools to provide personal finance instruction.
Mandatory Criterion 3
Collaboration (20 points max.) Describe your credit union group's best effort, with evidence of
success, in any of the following areas:
a) Work with other organizations to provide youth financial education and financial literacy
leadership.
b) Assist in the training of teachers and/or classroom volunteers to teach personal finance to
youth.
Desjardins Youth and Adult Financial Education Award
2012 CHAPTER or Credit Union Group Checklist
The following checklist will ensure that Desjardins youth and adult financial education entries are complete.
Please include the completed checklist with your entry form.

Does your Entry Form state that it is intended for the chapter or credit union group division of the
Desjardins Award program?

Is your Entry Form the proper one for your youth or adult entry?

Does your Entry Form include your chapter's or group's name, address, contact person's name, phone
number, and e-mail address?

Does your Entry Form list all participating credit unions in the chapter or group?

Are all your entry materials in either a three-ring binder or a spiral-bound notebook?

Does your entry follow the required format for organizing your one-page narratives and your best primary
and secondary evidence to show the quality and uniqueness of your effort?

Is your entry concise and readable? Will the judges be able to find the strongest, most relevant information
for each criterion? Focus on your most important accomplishment in each area. (See “Secrets of a
Winning Credit Union-Chapter
(Group) Entry.”)

Does your entry show how your youth or adult financial education efforts went beyond what is normally
expected of credit unions?
Submit this completed Checklist (1) with your Entry Form (2) and entry (3)
to your league by its state-level judging deadline.
Secrets of a Winning Credit Union/Chapter Entry
for the Desjardins Financial Education Award
Do you wonder what the judges are looking for when they examine national entries in the Desjardins recognition
program? Here's their list of characteristics of a winning credit union or chapter entry:
Compelling. Tell a story. Make your case as if you were writing an article for the trade press. Keep the
narrative—your description of your financial education efforts and why they're exemplary—separate from the
supporting evidence.
Appropriate. Read the rules, and make sure you're entering the appropriate competition. The Desjardins Youth
Financial Education Award focuses on teaching members and nonmembers under the age of 18 about personal
finance and providing financial literacy leadership. The Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award focuses on
teaching members and nonmembers age 18 and older. The judges will give precedence to activities since June 1,
2011.
Relevant. Review the entry form carefully and respond to all applicable judging criteria. There are three
mandatory measures (see "How does Desjardins scoring work?" in the Credit Union/Chapter Program Description
& FAQs). The scoring is based on these elements, so the more relevant information you provide, the higher your
score. Many times we receive information that is interesting, but not relevant to the application. Clearly
demonstrate how the program(s) is used and the impact (i.e., how many people/groups have been taught using
the materials).
Focused. For each criterion, it's better to describe—and substantiate in detail—your single best program than to
list many smaller activities or events. This allows you to present your best case. The Desjardins Award is not a
marketing recognition program. Don't include advertising samples and promotional PowerPoint presentations.
They only make it harder for the judges to find what really matters—the educational content and how you
delivered it. Follow the format requirements on the entry form.
Original, Unique and Innovative. There's nothing wrong with using commercially prepared educational
materials. If you did, however, be sure to show how you adapted the materials to the needs of your particular
member or nonmember audience. Show how you went beyond the prepared materials to engage your audience
more deeply. In any case, explain what makes your credit union’s or chapter’s efforts unique and worthy of
national recognition. Have you created any new and innovative partnerships? Is this a completely original
program? Or is it a twist on something that’s been done for a long time? Emphasize the creativity and uniqueness
of your program. While monetary donations are admirable, the judges will look for strong personal involvement.
Proven. What were the goals of your efforts and how did people benefit? Provide concrete, relevant evidence of
program effectiveness. What positive results did you measure and can you document them? The judges love to
read about results and success stories.
Organized. Make your entry easy to read and easy to follow. Include the name of your credit union/chapter on the
front cover. Use a table of contents. Avoid handwritten entries and misspellings. Use standard fonts, white paper,
and black type. Keep your entry to a manageable size—bigger is not better. The judges want to get to the “meat”
of the program, without having to search for the answers.
Of course, only a limited number of entries can win at the national level. By heeding this advice, you'll improve
your credit union's or chapter's chances of receiving recognition for its good works.
Direct questions about the Desjardins recognition program to Vikki Kinsler at (800-356-9655, ext. 4234, or e-mail
[email protected].