2008 CMBDC Diamond Awards Frequently Asked Questions

•  Is an award given in each category?

•  If the quality of entries in a given category is not strong enough, no awards will be given.

•  What is the maximum number of awards that can be given per category?

•  One Diamond and up to two merit awards may be given in each asset category. (Most of the categories are broken down into four asset categories, and further broken down between agency vs. non-agency. Therefore, up to eight Diamond Awards and up to 16 Merit Awards may be given in each category.)

•  How are the judges chosen?

•  A “call for judges” is sent and applications submitted to Council Administration. Judges are selected based on their experience and involvement in the credit union system.

•  Will I receive a write-up from the judges with comments on my entry?

•  The Diamond Awards receive from 1,100 to 1,500 entries per year. It would be impossible for judges to read the write-ups and results from each of those entries. Therefore, a system was developed in which each judge is given three tokens. At the beginning of each judging session, the judges are given the opportunity to browse through the material presented in that category. The judges then scrutinize the entries that receive two or more tokens, read the results portion of the entry forms and cast their ballots. This portion of the judging is verbal; therefore, no write-ups are distributed to entrants.

•  How do I calculate the results on the entry form?

•  Here is a sample:

•  On the entry form, what does “% over base figure” and “% over marketing goal” mean?

•  The % over base figure refers to the percentage of increase over what you normally do. For example: your credit union normally opens 200 new accounts per month but during your membership promotion, you opened 300 new accounts. That represents a 50% increase over your base figure (what you normally do.) If your marketing goal was 250 but you opened 300, then the percent over your marketing goal is 20%.

•  When entering the Website category, what type of ROI are you looking for?

•  For the website ROI, it's important to note the visits to your website, any increase in hits (or visits) that occurred after launching your website (or after the launch of your redesigned website) and the cost of the website design or redesign. If you have a home banking or bill pay feature, be sure to include the usage statistics for these areas also (% of increase based on prior month's numbers). Any increase is good, but remember that design and functionality are also very important.

•  How many copies of the entry form do I need to submit?

•  Please send two typed and stapled copies of the entry form with each entry.

•  How many original entry pieces should I send?

•  It is only necessary to send one set of entry pieces with your two entry forms.

•  How are lobby posters submitted?

•  You can send the actual poster, but it is preferred that you send a photograph of the poster as it appears in it's location.

•  Do the entries have to be POSTMARKED or RECEIVED by CUNA by January 11, 2008?

•  The entries have to be received by CUNA by January 11, 2008 to be accepted into the competition.

•  Do I send the payment form to a different address than the entries?

•  Yes, the payment form is sent to a lockbox in Milwaukee , WI and the entry form and entries are sent to Council Administration in Madison, WI .

•  Why are entries in the Website category due before the other categories?

•  Due to overwhelming response, this category requires additional time in which to judge. A separate set of judges reviews the entries in this category from their credit union and submits their scores to Council Administration so that the winners are determined at the same time that the judging of the other categories takes place.

•  Do I need to mount my entry prior to sending it to you?

•  It is not necessary to mount your entry prior to sending it. We'll do that on your behalf.

•  How many entries do you receive, and how many awards are given?

•  Over the past five years, an average of 1,254 entries have been received per year, and an average of 328 awards were given per year, which is an average of 26% of entries that receive awards.

•  How should I package my entry?

•  If your entry contains 10 or more pieces, feel free to place the pieces in a binder with sheet protectors.

•  If your entry contains less than 10 pieces, simply clip the pieces securely together with the entry forms.

•  Please be sure to staple your entry form, then secure it to the entry pieces.

•  Will my entry be returned?

•  Entries will not be returned.

•  Are the non-winners notified after the judging, as well as the winners?

•  Only the award winners are notified that they've won something, but are not told what they've won.

•  If I can't attend the conference to receive my award, how will I receive it?

•  Approximately four to six weeks after the conference, the awards that were not picked up at the conference will be shipped via UPS to the credit union.

•  If I can't attend the conference to receive my award, can a representative from my ad agency accept it on my behalf?

•  The awards ceremony is streamlined by matching the attendee roster with the award winners and only those who are present are announced. Therefore, if your credit union is not listed on the attendee roster, your award won't be announced during the ceremony, but rather it will be shown at the beginning of the awards dinner. A representative from your ad agency would not have the opportunity to accept the award on your behalf.

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