DFCU Financial Funds Novi 'Leader in Me' Program

—From a press release

Many Novi parents grew up reading the famous Steven Covey book Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People to become more successful in their work, personal, and family relationships.

Now, these timeless principles are taught to more than 3,000 Novi elementary school students (Grades K-6) thanks to a comprehensive program called “Leader in Me.” The Novi Community School District is making the “Habits” part of its students’ educational culture.

"Leader in Me really helps those students learn how to be reflective on their own lives, how to take control of their lives and how to become the citizens that we want them to be," said Novi Superintendent Dr. Steve Matthews.

The Novi Educational Foundation (NEF) earmarks dollars to help fund the Leader in Me activity. DFCU Financial, a new financial institution in the Novi Community, now has donated $15,000 to the NEF to help fund the program.

“The NEF is proud to have DFCU Financial as one of its premier donors,” says Geoff Wood, NEF Chairperson. “It’s one of many examples of how the NEF works with local businesses and corporations to support educational and enrichment activities for our Novi."

DFCU Novi Branch Manager Kathi Yokom and DFCU Public Relations Director Kim Ward recently attended NEF’s monthly meeting to present Trustees with an additional $5,000 toward the Leader In Me project. This DFCU donation comes only three months after an initial $10,000 gift toward the program.

The Leader in Me process is a community-wide experience for elementary-school teachers, students, and parents. The educational staff first identifies a vision of the outcomes they want for their school, as part of the implementation plan. Then:

• Teachers learn the seven habits and then act as role models.
• Teachers are taught how to teach the seven habits to students.
• Parents support their children in the process.
• The school's teachers, students and parents use several tools such as student-activity guides, teacher editions, posters, books and the Leader in Me website to help them reinforce the process.