Tips for a top-notch entry

As you prepare your Community CU of the Year Award entry, you may have questions on how to submit an award-winning entry of all your credit union does for its members and community.

We hope you find these tips helpful. The tips along with the checklist provided should assist in making your 2012 entry as thorough as it can possibly be; highlighting those products and services the credit union has developed for the good of the community it serves.

• Tell us what your WOW factor is. Answer the questions: Why would a new member want to join or use your credit union rather than a bank or other credit union in the area? What unique or different things are you doing in the community that you would consider going above and beyond.

• If possible, have a “team” work on the entry; each providing the necessary pieces specific to what they do on a daily basis.

• Outline items that fit under each category listed above and begin researching and assembling the necessary data and items that fall under each one.

• Follow the Entry Procedures and Checklist to make sure you haven’t missed anything. The Awards Committee carefully considers the information listed for each of the Impact Areas: Member; Community and Financial.

• Keep in mind items that can show the true meaning of “People Helping People” along with the information to back it up. This will help the judges understand more of what you, the credit union and staff do to make a difference. Photos, thank-you letters, articles, etc. all help the judges get a better look at your credit union as a whole.

• Keep in mind that quality, not quantity, is the key. Choose the information and backup documentation that represents the credit union and its community service and activity.

• The more concise, clear and to the point your entry is the easier time the judges will have doing their job. However, be sure to include all items on the 2012 checklist.

• Put yourself in the judges’ shoes. What would you look for in an entry?

See samples of 2011 winning entries for CUs with less than $250M in assets and CUs with more than $250M in assets.