CUTimes.com Poll Shows Need for CU Development Education

The CUTimes.com poll published on April 29 shows an urgent need for Credit Union Development Education training on the competitive advantages of the credit union charter. CUTimes.com poll results revealed that as many as 47% of online voters are considering bank charters. Anyone concerned about the viability of the credit union charter needs to go to DE training. Development Educators learn to fully take advantage of their current charter. They discover a value proposition that credit unions can leverage right now. The value proposition centers around the inherent power and contemporary relevance of credit unions’ socially responsible, sustainable cooperative business model. Social mission-driven business models like cooperatives-including credit unions-are being talked about as part of the new world business order that Microsoft founder Bill Gates dubbed “creative capitalism.” After reading the CUTimes.com poll results, I’m now asking credit union leaders, “Are we missing something that everyone else sees?” I urge credit unions not to miss the final DE training class of 2009: Aug. 12-18 at IslandWood on Bainbridge Island, Wash. After completing this intensive week-long immersion in cooperative principles and credit union values, all graduates will become passionate advocates for the credit union charter. Steve Delfin Executive Director National CU Foundation Washington