What period do the award entries cover?Judges will evaluate relevant activities that took place between June 2008 and the (league-determined) state-level deadline.
What activities are eligible?Credit unions and chapters could receive an award for involvement in almost any kind of activity that raises awareness and marshals resources on behalf of youth financial literacy. This might include public relations, teacher and classroom volunteer training, advocacy, and coalition building.
Are efforts in support of the NEFE High School Financial Planning Program® eligible?Yes.
Is involvement in the NEFE High School Financial Planning Program required to enter the Desjardins Award program?No.
How does Desjardins scoring work?TCUL uses the scoring system described below for state-level judging. All national entries will be judged on their responses to mandatory Criteria 1, 2, and 3. Criteria 4 and 5 are OPTIONAL because not all credit unions operate in-school branches nor do legislative and/or regulatory youth financial literacy initiatives take place on an annual basis in every state.
Therefore, based on the applicable criteria, judges will compare entries as follows:
The National Desjardins Award in any given category will go to the entry that receives the highest score above 80 percent, depending on the number of criteria judged. For example, in a single category:
With the highest percentage score, B wins the award.
What determines whether an entry will be judged on four criteria or fiveAll entries will be evaluated on the first three criteria described on the entry form. Each credit union or chapter will decide for itself whether to enter evidence pertaining to OPTIONAL Criterion 4 and/or OPTIONAL Criterion 5, as appropriate. See the scoring example above for further explanation.
How many credit union and chapter entries may a league submit for national Desjardins Award judging?Each league is limited to entering one credit union entry in each asset category and one chapter entry for national judging. With one chapter category and four credit union asset categories, that means there could be a maximum of five state-level winners advancing to national competition per state.
What is the judging fee for national credit union and chapter entries?There is a $60 fee for each credit union and chapter entry submitted to CUNA for national Desjardins Award judging; however, this fee is paid by TCUL (for League-affiliated credit unions only).
What is the judging fee for state-level credit union and chapter entriesTCUL does not charge an entry fee for state-level competition.
How many Desjardins Award winners will there be? State-level judges will determine no more than one first-place winner in each asset category and one chapter winner per state. State-level judges are not required to select a first-place winner in any category. State-level judges may recognize as many honorable mention awards in any category as they see fit.
National judges will determine no more than one first-place winner in each asset category and one chapter winner per state. National judges are not required to select a first-place winner in any category. National judges may recognize up to three honorable mention awards in any category as they see fit.
What are the procedures for credit unions and chapters that wish to submit entries in the Desjardins Award program?See the Credit Union Entry Form and/or the Chapter (Group) Entry Form.
If you have any additional questions, please contact Linda Webb-Mañon, TCUL public relations director, at (469) 385-6486 or (800) 442-5762, ext. 6486.