Got a good story to share about how your credit union is a HERO? Can you tell it in 200 words or less?

If so, it can help you win a free HERO Counseling service training for your entire staff, as well its certification and software solution from CU Strategic Planning in Tacoma, Wash., and the National Cooperative Business Association/Cooperative League of the United States of America in Washington, D.C.

The NCBA CLUSA is sponsoring the national Honor a HERO contest to provide a public venue for credit unions or their employees to share their compelling stories about helping their members, consumers, communities or causes.

This contest stems from the new HERO Counseling service, a Community Development Certified Financial Counseling course certified by the NCBA CLUSA. HERO Counseling is intended to help credit unions provide better financial guidance to their low-income communities.

“Over the years I've heard many stories about credit union employees and cooperatives that are heroes,” said CU Strategic Planning founder Jamie Chase, whose company is donating the HERO software prize valued up to $500,000. “All they have to do is share their story now. They deserve to be recognized and honored. Our company is excited to donate a very valuable prize so that their whole cooperative benefits from their heroism.”

In addition to the top winning prize, second and third runners-up will receive HERO Counseling training for their department or branch of choice.

“Credit unions' people first mission-based focus makes them a hero every day in people's lives,” said CU Strategic Planning President Stacy Augustine. “This contest just recognizes the work that credit unions do for their members and their communities on a daily basis.”

The deadline to submit stories is Aug. 24 and the form is online.