DENVER–The GoWest Credit Union Association has announced the finalists for its 2024 GoWest Awards.
The association reported a record number of nominations were submitted this year by organizations and individuals for consideration in eight award categories.
The finalists include:
Employee Experience
This GWCUA said the award recognizes a credit union that has intentionally built a culture of internal professional development by fostering a positive work environment, providing tools for growth, and encouraging and supporting career development.
- Blue Federal Credit Union: Culture Blueprint, Culture Ambassador Program, and Employee Engagement Passport
- Oregon Community Credit Union (OCCU): 32-Hour Work Week Pilot for Member Contact Center
- Pioneer Federal Credit Union: The Member Advantage, Expert Experience Day, and “Caught Ya” Awards
Member Program
This award recognizes a credit union that has developed an initiative, business model, program, or service that addresses the local, social, cultural, or economic needs that are specific to the credit union’s membership, the GWCUA said.
- Canopy Credit Union: Financial Coaching Program
- Columbia Credit Union: Overdraft Kindness Program
- First Tech Federal Credit Union: Youth Villages Foster Youth Savings Program
Community Impact
The GWCUA said this award recognizes a credit union that has demonstrated the value of its unique structure through a comprehensive approach to social responsibility and community impact throughout its institution.
- Fitzsimons Credit Union: Financial Inclusion
- STCU: Wildfire Response
- Verity Credit Union: Microgrant Program Initiative
Cooperation in Action
This award recognizes two or more credit unions, a CU Community or CU Communities, or credit union professionals from separate credit unions, working together in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration, which results in a much greater impact, the GWCUA said.
- Arizona Financial Credit Union, Landings Credit Union, OneAZ Credit Union, and TruWest Credit Union for Arizona Credit Union Week
- Community Healthcare Federal Credit Union, MountainCrest Credit Union, Northwest Plus Credit Union, and Snocope Credit Union for support of Dawson Place Child Advocacy Center
- Hughes Federal Credit Union, Pima Federal Credit Union, Pyramid Federal Credit Union, TOPCU, Tucson Federal Credit Union, and Vantage West Credit Union for Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona
Additional Awards
In addition to the above categories, GoWest will recognize the following individual award honorees: Young Professional, Distinguished Director, Summit Advocate, and Summit Icon.
Winners will be presented at the association’s MAXX meeting during the GoWest Awards Dinner and Gala on Oct. 16 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center.
“It’s exciting and inspiring to hear the impact credit unions are making to uplift the cooperative spirit of the credit union movement – these individuals and organizations raised the standard and met the call to be leaders in their communities in 2023,” said GWCUA President and CEO Troy Stang in a statement. “I look forward to joining hundreds of my credit union peers from across the U.S. at MAXX this fall to celebrate these outstanding trailblazers who are driving members and communities towards a brighter future.”