MADISON, Wis. – Exceptional credit union trainers and training programs were honored during an awards presentation at the 2009 Experience Learning Live! (ELL) conference, held Oct. 25-28 in Nashville, TN. The ELLy awards are the only national awards presented to credit union trainers to recognize outstanding efforts in the area of professional staff development.

First place awards and awards of merit were presented in the following categories:

Training Professional of the Year Award
This award recognizes achievements of a visionary credit union training professional or department for exceptional contributions to the learning and performance development of credit union staff.

• First Place: ELGA CU in Burton, MI – Tara Whitmire and Ashley White

WOW! Award
This award is presented to credit unions with the best overall training curriculum or event. Best is defined by one that inspires learning, teaches skills that go beyond the classroom, and leaves participants empowered!

• First Place: ELGA CU in Burton, MI – Tara Whitmire and Ashley White
• First Place: GESA CU in Richland, WA – Angie Henderson & Teresa Shively
• Award of Merit: First Florida CU in Jacksonville, FL – Training Department
• Award of Merit: Robins FCU in Warner Robins, GA – Training Department
• Award of Merit (Small CU): Louisiana FCU in LaPlace, LA – Magan Ellard and Ashley Varnam
• Award of Merit (Small CU): Marriott Employees FCU in Bethesda, MD – Varner Story

Training Champion Award
This award applauds the vision, involvement, and leadership of senior management for their support and development of credit union’s training initiatives.

• First Place: GESA CU in Richland, WA – Christina Brown, President/CEO

Chi Phi Delta Award
This award is presented for the best development of a credit union university and its effect on staff learning and performance, using CUNA Center for Professional Development’s products as the foundation.

• First Place: Kitsap CU in Bremerton, WA – Training Department
• Award of Merit: Suncoast Schools FCU in Tampa, FL – Training Department

eLearning Award
This award focuses on demonstrating how technology has changed the culture of credit unions and enhanced training. This award goes to the credit union that has effectively incorporated technology into staff training.

• First Place: Eastman CU in Kingsport, TN – Eastman CU Learning Resource Center
• Award of Merit: The Golden 1 CU in Sacramento, CA – Training and Development Department

In addition to the ELLy Awards, three CPD Energizer Awards were presented during the conference. The awards recognize credit unions with innovative training programs that support CUNA’s Center for Professional Development (CPD) training products as well as its mission of helping individuals reach their personal and professional potential. The awards presented were:

• Small Market: SPC Cooperative CU in Hartsville, S.C.
• Medium Market: BELCO Community CU in Harrisburg, PA
• Major Market: Metro CU in Chelsea, MA

The next Experience Learning Live! Conference will be October 21-23, 2010 in San Deigo, CA. ELLy award entries for 2010 will be due summer of 2010.

For more information about CUNA’s training resources, go to training.cuna.org or call (800) 356-9655, ext. 4249.