For credit union boards, upskilling and reskilling is essential to help them effectively navigate the complexities of modern governance, regulatory changes, and technological advancements. Continuous learning enables directors and boards to make informed decisions that can drive strategies forward, ensuring they remain effective stewards of the credit union’s vision and long-term success.   

The Credit Union Director Achievement (CUDA) program provides the Board of Directors with the governance knowledge needed through the unique lens of a financial cooperative. The program is backed by Dalhousie University and is delivered over three levels:  

Level A Courses 

Level A courses allow new directors to jump into the foundations of governance at any time through six on-demand eLearning modules followed by a case-study based virtual eClass. The facilitated eClass allows directors to engage in dialogue, ask questions to a subject matter expert, and network with other directors. This training is most often completed within the first six months of being elected to the board. Directors will receive a certificate of completion for Level A after approximately ten learning hours.  

Level B Courses

Level B is comprised of four short virtual classes that delve into a director’s attention on the activities they would be responsible for performing in their new board role. Risk Oversight, Strategy: Planning and Oversight, Board Performance, Development and Evaluation, and HR Governance are all facilitated by subject matter experts and are concise learning offerings designed to meet the needs of busy executives. Many directors complete these four courses in the twelve months following their Level A completion. It will take a director approximately 14 hours to complete this level of training.  

Level C Courses

Level C courses focus on two critical areas of board work in financial services: governing the credit portfolio of the credit union, and the crucial role played by the audit committee. This level of the CUDA program teaches directors to apply what they have learned in Levels A and B and how it all supports their work as a director. In addition, to complete this level of the CUDA program, directors must complete two Level CE elective courses, a list of which can be found on the 2024 CUDA Calendar of Learning. Completion of courses in Level C should take approximately 12 hours and is usually completed within a director’s first term.  

Directors who have completed Levels A, B and C are granted CUDA Graduate status and will receive a digital certificate of completion. Directors must complete at least six CE credits annually to maintain their status.   

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact clientsolutions@ccua.com.