Since August of 2008, when I earned the CUDE credential, I have been asked to define it by many who see it on my e-mail signature. In some cases, senior executives with a career in the movement are at odds with the value of Development Educators and don't understand why they should send their staff.

DE training teaches the core philosophy of cooperation and collaboration that built credit unions over the past 100 years. DE defines social responsibility in credit unions' mission to serve the underserved. DE underscores credit unions' mission of service to members.

We need the DE philosophy more now than ever. In these tough economic times, we have a tendency to close in on ourselves and worry about our own business-how we can survive instead of looking at the opportunities to increase membership and help members understand the value of saving for the rainy day.