AT 2001 CUNA MARKETING COUNCIL DIAMOND AWARDS CEREMONY
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| Attending 2001 CUNA Diamond Awards: |
The Diamond Awards are awarded annually to recognize marketing excellence and achievement in credit unions. There were 960 total entries in this year's competition.
The marketing department of Delta Employees Credit Union in Atlanta received a Diamond Award for its Lobby Brochures in the category of Membership Products, Brochures, or Booklets. It is the organization's first Diamond Award. Delta ECU competed in the category of credit unions exceeding $300 million in assets.
Georgia Telco Credit Union of Atlanta received a Diamond Award in the Community/Public Relations Events or Programs category for its "A Real World Finances" Seminar. The seminar was designed for its teen members to inform them about issues such as establishing credit, buying their first car, student loans and scholarships. "This seminar was such a success," said Laura Ippoliti of Georgia Telco CU, who accepted the award. "The employees really enjoyed doing something for our younger members." Georgia Telco CU also competed in the category of credit unions with more than $300 million in assets.
Atlanta Postal Credit Union of Atlanta earned an Award of Merit for its Credit Union Visa Check Card Design. Dianne Yost, vice president of marketing, designed the card, and accepted the award on the credit union's behalf. Atlanta Postal also competed in the $300 million+ in assets category.
Northwest Georgia Credit Union in Rome received an Award of Merit in the Community/Public Relations Events or Programs category for its Credit Unions for Kids golf tournament. The fundraiser, which raised $2,000, was the first of its kind for Northwest Georgia CU. Proceeds were donated to the transplant center at Childrens' Healthcare of Atlanta. Northwest Georgia competed in the category of credit unions with less than $50 million in assets.
Georgia Credit Union Affiliates of Duluth, Georgia received an Award of Merit in the Credit Union Association Publications category. The Affiliates' were honored for a promotional piece announcing the organization's Fall Institute 2000. Tonya Iverson, senior marketing account executive for the Affiliates and recipient of the award said, "It was an honor to receive an award at CUNA's Marketing Council. This forum provides a great way for marketing professionals to learn about what nationwide organizations are doing to promote credit union services." Georgia Credit Union Affiliates competed against other state credit union associations in the Publications category.
Ellen Hartsock,
formerly vice president of marketing for Lockheed Georgia Employees' Federal
Credit Union in Marietta was inducted into the CUNA Marketing Council Hall
of Fame. She worked for Lockheed for 14 years. Hartsock's marketing perspective
was an integral part of the organization's growth to over $400 million in
assets and 85,000 members. She was implemental in the development of the
first formal marketing, sales, and educational programs for members, employees,
board of directors, and volunteer committee members. Hartsock is now a branch
manager for Georgia Federal Credit Union in Cumming.