Awards of Excellence

The Advocate of the Year Award recognizes an individual who demonstrates extraordinary leadership, vision, and dedication in advancing legislative, grassroots, and community advocacy efforts on behalf of the Cooperative Credit Union Association, its members, and the credit union movement. Through unwavering commitment and active engagement at both the state and national levels, this individual serves as a powerful voice for credit unions and the communities they serve. One advocate from across Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island will be honored for their outstanding contributions to strengthening and advancing the movement.

Guidelines/eligibility:
Nominees must demonstrate outstanding leadership in legislative and grassroots advocacy initiatives, as well as measurable influence on the credit union movement and the advancement of member service and engagement.

The Chief Executive Officer is at the heart of every credit union, responsible for a myriad of duties which ultimately define the organization’s culture and its success. Leading the credit union’s efforts to achieve growth in the many ways it serves its members; being an inspiration to the team by constantly motivating them to excellence; and engaging the community as the credit union’s chief ambassador are just a few of the requirements associated with the person who occupies the corner office.

Guidelines/eligibility: 
CEOs of affiliated credit unions may be nominated. 

People are the backbone of an outstanding credit union. Their dedication to cooperative values coupled with a willingness to go above and beyond to provide service quality to members distinguishes the credit union from its industry peers within the financial services marketplace. They make credit unions shine! Many of the stories describing their attitudes, commitment and service may sound like the folklore of legends, but in reality they describe the heroes of the credit union industry, the trend setters, whose example is for all a model to embrace and follow.

Guidelines/eligibility:
Paid professionals (excluding the CEO) of affiliated credit unions may be nominated.

Today’s young credit union professionals are tomorrow’s industry leaders, as evidenced by  their words and deeds and commitment to the values and principles defining the credit union’s cooperative business model. To nurture and support these up- and- coming professionals and help fuel their drive to be successful, the Cooperative Credit Union Association calls upon all of its member credit unions to participate in recognizing their achievements.

Guidelines/eligibility:  
Paid professionals (excluding the CEO) aged 40 and under of affiliated credit unions may be nominated.

Look beyond the walls of a credit union to discover a pillar of the industry, volunteers who have given freely of their time, energy, wisdom, and knowledge to help guide and nurture a credit union to success, year in and year out. Volunteers serve as members of the board and in other capacities of leadership and inspiration. Their service and commitment is legendary, truly an example of “people helping people.”

Guidelines/eligibility: 
Credit union directors, committee members at Association member credit unions may be nominated.

Cooperative Credit Union Association Hall of Fame members have devoted their lives to the philosophy and success of the credit union movement, and they have made a significant impact on credit unions at the local, state, and / or national levels. Whether it’s inspirational leadership and bold decision-making, which resulted in growth and improvement; personal dedication and commitment in delivering exemplary service; or voluntary contributions of countless time and energy that have enriched the lives of all within the industry, such achievements are a testament to a career worthy of the highest respect, honor and recognition.

Recipients will be inducted into the Association’s prestigious Hall of Fame.

Guidelines/eligibility: 
Hall of Fame nominees will be from affiliated Association credit unions.

The nomination submission must include the following materials:

• An overview of the nominee’s advocacy accomplishments (250 words or fewer), including legislative, grassroots, community advocacy, and impact on the credit union movement and member services
• An impact statement describing how the nominee’s efforts have advanced advocacy initiatives, member and political engagement, and the broader credit union movement
• Supporting materials, such as news articles, social media or public relations materials, and awards or recognition related to advocacy efforts
• Optional supporting media, including high-resolution photos and/or videos accompanied by a written transcript or script

Submission Deadline

Please submit all materials along with the nomination form by noon on June 19, 2026, to Communications@ccua.org.

Selection Process

All nominations and supporting materials will be reviewed by the Awards Committee, comprised of the four state PAC Trustees and the President/CEO of the Cooperative Credit Union Association. The committee will recommend a recipient to the Association’s Board of Directors for final ratification based on the nomination materials submitted.

Note: Submitted nominations may be featured in Association publications, communications, and advocacy materials to highlight the impact credit unions and their leaders have within their communities. Submission of a nomination constitutes permission for the Association to use submitted materials for promotional and advocacy purposes.

Nomination Essay Guidelines

The Nomination Essay must accompany the Nomination Form and include:

• A description of why the nominee deserves recognition (1,000 words or fewer)
• Specific examples highlighting achievements, leadership, and impact
• Supporting materials, including photos or additional documentation, as applicable
• A high-resolution photo of the nominee

Submission Deadline

Please submit all materials along with the nomination form by noon on June 19, 2026, to Communications@ccua.org.

Selection Process

Entries received by the nomination deadline will be judged by the awards committee made up of a panel of credit union representatives, and winners will be recognized at the CCUA Awards session during APEX 2026.

Winners will be notified by the end of July 2026.