The National Credit Union Foundation has upped the ante for those wanting to participate in the Credit Union Development Educators Program by adding a third school for the 2013-14 season.

Officials for the NCUF, located in Madison, Wis., said strong demand prompted the first-ever addition of the seven-day immersion program dedicated to the credit union philosophy.

The new program, scheduled for Jan. 22-29 at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, is in response to growing demand that often prompts sell-out conditions, said Lois Kitsch, NCUF's national program director.

“The past few programs have been filling up months ahead of time,” said Kitsch, “and we also realize the positive impact that even more DE Training alumni can have on the credit union movement.”

This season's first DE program, schedule for Sept. 4–11 on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison, has been sold out since June.  The next two sessions, also scheduled for Madison, will be held April 23–30 and Sept. 10–17.

DE training is open to everyone from new employees who need a credit union orientation to seasoned executives who need to recharge. 

In addition to a philosophical immersion, graduates acquire skills in credit union outreach initiatives, problem solving, technical assistance, team building and public presentations.

Participants return to their jobs with a better understanding of how credit union values work in the financial services marketplace, the NCUF said.