Volunteer Achievement Program Releases Three New Modules

October 29, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Jerving
jjerving@cuna.com
(608) 231-4891

MADISON, WI – Participants in the Volunteer Achievement Program, through CUNA's Center for Professional Development, will soon have three new modules to choose from. They are V412 Developing, Writing, and Implementing Policies, V413, Marketing to Generations and Target Groups, and V414 Recruiting, Orienting, and Retaining Board Members.

V412 Developing, Writing, and Implementing Policies, examines the board's role in the area of policy development. Scheduled for release in November, it covers the entire process, including:

• Assessing the need for new policies;
• Researching and writing policies;
• Implementing policies;
• Updating policies.

V412 Developing, Writing, and Implementing Policies gives directors a simple and accurate guide to understanding this important responsibility. This module presents a deeper level of information than the basic introduction covered in V101 Board and Management Policies. (Completion of V101 is not a prerequisite to the new module.)

Each member of the extended credit union family has different financial needs, depending on that member's lifestyle, generation, gender, and other characteristics. V413 Marketing to Generations and Target Groups, available now, identifies these differences among key segments of credit union members and potential members. It introduces four primary generations and examines the following areas:

• Characteristics, outlooks, financial needs, and expectations of each generation;
• Credit union products and messages that meet these needs and expectations;
• Other significant target markets based on gender, race, ethnicity, and ability;

Marketing to Generations and Target Groups supports the use of statistical and member feedback tools to provide additional information on member identity and needs. It demonstrates how introducing specifically targeted product enhancements that make members' lives easier can result in a more loyal member base.

V414 Recruiting, Orienting, and Retaining Board Members, scheduled for release later this month, introduces the Policy Governance^sm model advocated by author and consultant John Carver. With a strategic approach to recruitment and retention, this module helps credit unions meet the volunteer challenge and thrive even in fiercely competitive times. The module presents a five-step systematic approach to recruiting, orienting, and retaining credit union directors. Chapters explore:

• Finding and attracting volunteers;
• Using professional techniques for interviewing and selecting candidates;
• Establishing an orientation process;
• Making use of volunteer training and development opportunities;
• Maintaining a supportive environment, and creating a succession plan.

The Volunteer Achievement Program (VAP) is designed to meet the training needs of both new and experienced volunteers. VAP modules deliver essential material quickly and clearly, and are available for all aspects of credit union operations.

For more information on the Volunteer Achievement Program, contact your state credit union league or visit training.cuna.org.

In partnership with state credit union leagues, CUNA's Center for Professional Development is the premier provider of educational products and services to the Credit Union System. It offers training to credit union professionals in a variety of formats, including schools, conferences, certification programs, and educational print, video and software products. For more information, visit www.cuna.org.

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