The 2011 Dora Maxwell Award first-place winners include:

• Marinette County ECU in Marinette, WI
• Joplin Metro CU in Joplin, MO
• General CU in Fort Wayne, IN
• Space Age FCU in Aurora, CO
• Alabama CU in Tuscaloosa, AL
• Marine FCU in Jacksonville, NC
• State ECU in Raleigh, NC
• Western Chapter of the North Carolina Credit Union League, Penrose, NC

First-place winners of this year’s Louise Herring Award are:

• Communicating Arts CU in Detroit, MI
• St. Louis Community CU in St. Louis, MO
• Credit Union 1 in Anchorage, AK
• Eastman CU in Kingsport, TN

“The winners of these prestigious awards embody the philosophy and ideals of our movement, and we are honored to celebrate their achievements,” commented CUNA President & CEO, Bill Cheney.  “It’s no wonder that so many consumers are turning to credit unions these days, which are led and guided by individuals such as these to ever higher levels of service to their members. Commitment to community involvement and member financial education remain at the core of credit union success, and these award winners have demonstrated their personal commitment to these core values for credit unions. Congratulations to them — and to all in the movement who share and practice their values.”

Maxwell was an original signer of CUNA’s constitution and a tireless organizer of hundreds of credit unions throughout the United States. She also developed volunteer organizer clubs and worked tirelessly with organizations on behalf of the poor.

The Maxwell award is presented to credit unions in eight asset-size categories and a chapter or multiple credit union group category for outstanding social responsibility projects in their communities. Activities may include: solving core community problems, coordinating supply drives for the needy, raising money or organizing special events for charitable organizations, or mentoring students.

Herring was also an original signer of CUNA’s constitution when she was an Ohio delegate to the 1934 national credit union conference in Estes Park, CO. She saw credit unions as more than just financial institutions and believed they should work to better people’s lives.

The Herring award is given to a credit union demonstrating the internal application of credit union philosophy to help better financial matters and increase financial education for its members.  Examples include: exceptional member service, financial counseling for members experiencing difficulties, and educating members on the credit union difference.

Winning entries will be on display at CUNA’s 2012 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), March 18 – March 22, in Washington, DC.  The award winners will be honored during a March 21 reception.

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2011 Dora Maxwell/Louise Herring Award Winners

Dora Maxwell ($5-$20 million)

First Place: Marinette County ECU in Marinette, WI
Second Place: Bethex FCU in Bronx, NY

Dora Maxwell ($20-$50 million)

First Place: Joplin Metro CU in Joplin, MO
Second Place: Community CU in Lewiston, ME
Honorable Mention: 1^st Choice CU in Atlanta, GA

Dora Maxwell ($50-$100 million)

First Place: General CU in Fort Wayne, IN
Second Place: Linn-Co FCU in Lebanon, OR
Honorable Mention: Carolina Postal CU in Charlotte, NC

Dora Maxwell ($100-$200 million)

First Place: Space Age FCU in Aurora, CO
Second Place: Streator Onized CU in Streator, IL
Honorable Mention: Five County CU in Bath, ME

Dora Maxwell ($200-$500 million)

First Place: Alabama CU in Tuscaloosa, AL
Second Place (Tie): ELGA CU in Burton, MI
Second Place (Tie): Members CU in Winston-Salem, NC
Honorable Mention: Freedom First CU in Roanoke, VA

Dora Maxwell ($500 million- $1 billion

First Place: Marine FCU in Jacksonville, NC
Second Place: Credit Union 1 in Anchorage, AK
Honorable Mention: DuPont Community CU in Waynesboro, VA

Dora Maxwell (More than $1 billion)

First Place: State ECU in Raleigh, NC
Second Place: Indiana Members CU in Indianapolis, IN
Honorable Mention: American Heritage FCU in Philadelphia, PA

Dora Maxwell (Credit Union Chapters or Multiple Credit Union Group)

First Place: Western Chapter of the NC Credit Union League in Penrose, NC
Second Place: Montgomery Chapter of CUs in Montgomery, AL
Honorable Mention: Sioux Valley Chapter of CUs in Sioux Falls, SD

Louise Herring (Less than $50 million)

First Place: Communicating Arts CU in Detroit, MI
Second Place: Community CU in Lewiston, ME
Honorable Mention: Communicating Arts CU in Cincinnati, OH

Louise Herring ($50-$250 million)

First Place:  St. Louis Community CU in St. Louis, MO
Second Place: Central Maine FCU in Lewiston, ME
Honorable Mention: Public Service CU in Romulus, MI

Louise Herring ($250 million-$1 billion)

First Place: Credit Union 1 in Anchorage, AK
Second Place: CoVantage CU in Antigo, WI
Honorable Mention: People’s CU in Middletown, RI

Louise Herring (More than $1 billion)

First Place: Eastman CU in Kingsport, TN
Second Place: State ECU in Raleigh, NC
Honorable Mention:  Desert Schools FCU in Phoenix, AZ