Goldenwest Receives Diamond Award

OGDEN, UT: April 3, 2013 – Goldenwest Credit Union was recently honored with a Diamond Award, which recognizes outstanding marketing achievements in the credit union industry.

The award was presented by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Marketing & Business Development Council, a national network comprised of over 1,100 credit union marketing and business development professionals. Awards are given in each of 33 categories ranging from advertising to community events and beyond.

Goldenwest was recognized with the award for a community service project completed in South Ogden City, the hometown of the credit union’s corporate office.

As part of their 75-year celebration, South Ogden City held a contest in 2011 for a mural design on the city’s water towers. After a design was selected, it took the city about a year to raise the funds to complete the project. A last-minute grant from the Weber County R.A.M.P. program helped to pay for paint and supplies. However, South Ogden City was faced with the challenge of recruiting and organizing a team of volunteers to paint the towers before the weather turned too cold to paint. That is when Goldenwest stepped in with the labor.

With a request for volunteers from staff, Goldenwest arranged for 50 employees to paint the towers in a one week period of time. Volunteers painted in three-hour shifts…with Goldenwest paying the employee for two hours of painting time, and asking each employee to donate their one-hour lunch break to the project. In total, Goldenwest donated more 150 hours to complete the project.

The Goldenwest marketing department used their media contacts to increase awareness about the project, and to help raise additional funds for maintenance. Three of the four major TV stations in the market, along with the local newspaper, ran stories on the water tower murals.

“At the beginning of 2012 our CEO challenged the management team to find a way we could give back to the community through service,” said Diana Windley, Vice President of Marketing at Goldenwest Credit Union. “Helping South Ogden City complete a year-long project was not only rewarding, but fun for everyone who volunteered.”

Winning the Diamond Award was proverbial cherry on top of the sundae, according to Windley.

“Service is a key component in our corporate culture,” continued Windley. “While it’s always nice to be recognized for our contributions to the community, we will subscribe to the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people’ regardless of awards or public accolades.”

The Diamond Awards competition is among the most prestigious in the credit union industry.

“Credit unions that receive Diamond Awards should be extremely proud of their accomplishments and know that their work represents the very best examples of creativity, innovation, relevance, and execution,” said Michelle Hunter, Chair of the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council. “These awards are not easily earned and the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council is proud to honor those who are deserving of this recognition.”

Award winners were recognized at the council’s 20th annual conference held March 24-27 in Anaheim, CA.

To view the video and listen to details about the project, visit the Goldenwest YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/goldenwestcu. Select the “Paint The Towers” video.