adminTropical Financial Credit Union awards $10,000 in scholarships to local students
Tropical Financial Credit Union awarded $1,000 scholarships to 10 students recently. This is the sixth year for the program created to help local students further their education. This year, Tropical Financial selected three students currently attending college, four adults who are going back to school to further their career, and three recent high school grads who are about to start college.
They are: Ashley Aguiar from Miami, currently attending University of Florida; Bobie Albritton from Coral Springs, currently attending Broward College; Kayla Baker from Pembroke Pines, currently attending FAU; Samantha Benjamin from Miami, currently attending Hofstra University; Bethany Floyd from Miramar will attend Barry University; Richard Guy Jr. from Miami, currently attending Florida International University; Margarita Hernandez from Miami Lakes, currently attending Miami Dade College; Jenna Huben from Coconut Creek will attend University of Florida; Camila Peralta from Pembroke Pines will attend University of Florida; Lauren Sanchez from Miramar, currently attending Florida Atlantic University.
“One of my favorite things about Tropical Financial is the fact that we are directly involved with the community,” said Rich Helber, president/CEO. “Our scholarship program allows us to help smart and deserving students lessen the cost burden of a higher education while they prepare themselves to become financially independent. The program is a highlight of my year.”
All of the applicants were required to submit an essay about their personal and educational objectives and how Tropical Financial has helped or could help them reach financial goals. Other factors considered: community involvement, charity work, and extracurricular activities.
Five Star Credit Union wins cash prize in vendor video contest
Five Star Credit Union, based in Dothan, AL, recently won a national video contest from CU Content, a credit union marketing content provider. The contest asked credit unions to submit a video on how CU Content has impacted their marketing and communications.
Five Star emphasized how easy CU Content made it for the marketing department through a fun look at a marketing meeting. Because of the ease of the content, the marketing department could go to lunch and not have to work through it. Five Star won $500, which will be given away to employees. You can see the video here.
Florida CU professionals among those receiving CUDE designation
Forty-seven credit union leaders were designated as Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs) after completing the National Credit Union Foundation’s (the Foundation) Credit Union Development Education (DE) Training. The May DE Training was held at the Lowell Center in Madison, Wis.
The most recent DE graduating class included credit union movement representatives from across the U.S., as well as representatives from Kenya. Florida credit union staff were well represented at the event, including: Thomas Flowers, Calhoun Liberty ECU; Jess Sadler, GTE Financial; Laura Wills, Guardians Credit Union; Terry Wood, Suncoast Credit Union.
DE Training is a unique experiential training program that provides lessons in credit union structure, purpose and the “why” that differentiates credit unions from other financial institutions. During the Foundation’s signature program, participants are involved in group exercises, field visits, and interactive speaker sessions that provide insights into how credit unions can leverage their unique business model to help their members and communities overcome the financial and developmental issues they face.
