Titles, descriptions, and credit recommendations for all inactive learning experiences recommended for college credit within the Volunteer Leadership Program can be found below. To locate information on additional learning experiences, which have also been recommended for college credit, use the Organization Directory Page link above for a complete list of titles for all learning experiences or use the following links to go directly to other sections:

Management Enrichment Training Program (MERIT) - Active Learning Experiences
Staff Training and Recognition Program (STAR) - Active Learning Experiences
MERIT and STAR Programs - Inactive Learning Experiences
Volunteer Achievement Program (VAP) - Inactive Learning Experiences

INACTIVE VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (VLP) INACTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES
VL01 Successful Teamwork
VL02 Achieving Quality Through Process Involvement
VL03 Developing Leadership
VL04 Advanced Strategic Planning
VL05 Business Communications for Directors
VL06 Diversity for Credit Unions
VL12 Developing Compensation Systems

Descriptions and credit recommendations

1. VL01 Successful Teamwork*
2. VL02 Achieving Quality Through Process Involvement*
3. VL03 Developing Leadership*
4. VL04 Advanced Strategic Planning*
Location: Independent study program administered from the offices of the Credit Union National Association; also administered in a classroom-based format at approved locations throughout the U.S.
Length: Modules 1-4: Independent study and/or classroom-based (approximately 48 hours).
Dates: October 1998 - December 2003.
Objectives: Modules 1-4: Identify advantages and disadvantages of working in teams; list the ten characteristics of successful teams; identify ways to encourage risk taking in a team; name ways disruptive behavior can be reduced; develop a team mission statement; assess team performance; list steps in the team building process; identify key factors in meeting facilitation; define the four different types of teams; state the purpose of teamwork; describe how to facilitate a team; identify the parts of the PDCA (plan, do, check, act) cycle; explain how to move a project along to completion and handle team problems; explain the difference between leaders and managers; define organic leadership; discuss the traits of exceptional leaders; identify the characteristics and functions of vision; discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different leadership styles; explain the use of conflict as a positive force; list the four parts of the change process; assume the role of mentor; define polarity; name the ten laws of leadership; the importance of planning; myths about planning; creating vision; facilitating the visioning process with employees; vision and strategy; standing plans; operational planning; short-term planning; controlling plans; financial planning; human resource planning.
Instruction: Modules 1-4: The advantages and disadvantages of working in teams; dynamics of successful teams; characteristics; creativity and risk taking; changing team membership; addressing disruptive people problems; aggression category; team start-up; developing high performance teams; team building; facilitating team meetings; identifying and analyzing team performance; team leader’s role; future of team work; philosophy of process improvement; process improvement basics; organizing for process improvement; project team work; team dynamics; team’s tools for process improvement; the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle; seeing the project through to the end; anticipating the unplanned; alternatives to process improvement teams; barriers to effective process improvement; developing exceptional leadership; art of leadership; role of the leader; leadership styles; motivating others; change management; ethical management; explain basic planning theory; describe the product life cycle; formulate a mission statement; describe plan development and policy development; write procedures and rules; describe project planning; evaluate and control plans.
Credit recommendation: Modules 1-4: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 2 semester hours as Management in a Business curriculum (4/98) (4/03 revalidation). NOTE: Modules 1-4 must all be completed to receive credit. *NOTE: The learning objectives and content covered in VL01 Successful Teamwork and M07 Managing Teamwork, listed under the Management Enrichment Training Program, are identical; they may be used interchangeably for purposes of awarding credit. Similarly, VL02 Achieving Quality Through Process Improvement and M08 Process Improvement: Achieving Quality Together are identical, VL03 Developing Leadership and M09 Developing Exceptional Leadership are identical, and VL04 Advanced Strategic Planning and M10 Strategic Thinking and Planning are nearly identical; they may be used interchangeably with their counterparts for purposes of awarding credit.

VL05 Business Communications for Directors*
Location: Independent study program administered from the offices of the Credit Union National Association; also administered in a classroom-based format at approved locations throughout the U.S.
Length: Independent study and/or classroom-based (approximately 16 hours).
Dates: October 1998 - December 2003.
Objectives: Explain the differences among all types of communications, including written, oral, nonverbal and electronic; use basic grammar correctly and editing techniques; run an effective meeting; use listening techniques and telephone skills and deliver criticism.
Instruction: The communication challenge; barriers to effective communication; effective communication skills and strategies; providing information and direction; giving and receiving feedback; effective business relationships; telephone communication; writing for results; editing for effectiveness; facilitating meetings.
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 1 semester hour as Business Communications in a Business curriculum (4/98) (4/03 revalidation). *NOTE: The learning objectives and content covered in VL05 Business Communications for Directors and M02 Business Communications, listed under the Management Enrichment Training Program, are identical; they may be used interchangeably for purposes of awarding credit.

1. VL06 Diversity for Credit Unions*
2. VL12 Developing Compensation Systems*
Location: Independent study program administered from the offices of the Credit Union National Association; also administered in a classroom-based format at approved locations throughout the U.S.
Length: Modules 1 and 2: Independent study and/or classroom-based (approximately 16 hours).
Dates: October 1998 - December 2003.
Objectives: Modules 1 and 2: Define diversity; explain the difference between affirmative action and diversity; explain the rules of cross-cultural communications; use conflict as a tool to enhance productivity; describe the development of a diverse culture; describe the objectives of an ideal pay plan; write a compensation philosophy; define and describe a job analysis; list the components of a job documentation; describe the basic elements of a job description; identify the four main methods of job evaluation; conduct salary surveys; describe strategies for implementation of pay in the total compensation strategy; distinguish among the different types of pension plans; describe alternative pay systems; define types of executive pay plans; discussion provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Instruction: Modules 1 and 2: Diversity as a business issue; identifying stereotypes; inclusion vs. exclusion; changing the credit union’s culture; communicating with a diverse workforce; using conflict as a diversity skill; building strong cross-cultural teams; coaching, mentoring, and career development; diversity leadership; credit union compensation; compensation philosophy; job analysis; job documentation; job evaluation; external competitiveness; pay structure; pay plan implementation; employee benefits; pension plans; alternative systems; executive compensation; legal issues.
Credit recommendation: Modules 1 and 2: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 1 semester hour as Human Resource Management in a Business curriculum (4/98) (4/03 revalidation). NOTE: Modules 1 and 2 must both be completed to receive credit. *NOTE: The learning objectives and content covered in VL06 Diversity for Credit Unions and M12 Workplace Diversity, listed under the Management Enrichment Training Program, are identical; they may be used interchangeably for purposes of awarding credit. Similarly, VL12 Developing Compensation Systems and M11 Compensation Systems are identical; they may be used interchangeably for purposes of awarding credit.

Updated 2/2/04

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