International Credit Union Day

Happy International Credit Union Day. 

A chance to think about the impact we are making today, our great history of making a difference in people’s lives, and the bittersweet sense that all of us in the CU movement have that we should be doing more.

Studying the rich history of the credit union movement in America is one of my favorite things to do.  From Pierre Jay, Edward Filene (whom I found out this year shares my birthday), and Roy Bergengren, to Louise McCarren Herring, Dora Maxwell and Monsignor Pierre Hevey, there are so many true heroes in our history.

Today with credit unions all over the US making strides to enrich the lives of their members through easy access to credit, payday lending alternatives, financial education and budget help and simple services offered at fair terms to the people who need them most, we are still working among heroes each and every day.  People who truly put the welfare of their members above all else, even at times themselves.  In the years since I have become part of the movement I have met credit union leaders from nearly every part of the country and we all share the same passion, making life better for our members.  This is the core of what we do, and this is our greatest triumph.  After over 100 years the mission remains the same and the flame remains lit.

Even with the many success stories from over a century of fighting the good fight, there is a constant and underlying ache that many of us feel that we should do more.  There is a constant struggle to stay ahead, to fight off the threats to our members both internal and external, and when the day is done there is still a feeling that we could do more.  There is a sense that if only we explained the many advantages of credit union membership a little more effectively, the masses would see the light.  There is a sense that if only we told our story in a more compelling way, our government would see the indispensable value we add to the economic system.  There is a sense that if only we could paint a clearer picture of what it is we all get up and do each and every day, people would realize that there is no hidden agenda, there is no downside.  This really is a better way, and a means to a better day.  

This is shared not only with credit union leaders throughout the US, but throughout the world.  From Scotland to Bermuda, from the Cayman Islands to South Africa and all points in between people do what is best for their members because it is the right thing to do.  It is hard work, done by true heroes.

So today we take a moment to celebrate our wins, remember our heroes, and hopefully scratch that itch, just a bit.  We will always want to do more.  We should constantly feel a bit unfulfilled.  We should always have an ache that more can be accomplished, because ours is a movement by, for and about people.  The credit union movement has no finish line.  It is a movement, in constant motion toward the needs of the many.  

I am proud today to be one of the leaders in the movement.  I am proud to be running the race, regardless of where the course takes me because I know that along the route I can touch people’s lives in a way that makes a difference.  I am encouraged by the number of bright and passionate people who are getting plugged in to the movement to run along side and takes us all to places we have not been.  I am hopeful that we will never feel that the work is finished or that the race is won, but I am hopeful that we will learn better ways to compete.  Here's to the heroes!  Happy ICU Day!

18 Questions to make you think...

I came across a list of questions on a friend’s post the other day on Facebook.  I rarely click on this type of link, but I was intrigued.  Turns out that they really are some pretty good, deep and reflective questions and, when you take a moment to think about each one, can be a brutally honest look at the path you are on.  I am still contemplating honest answers for several of them, but here are the 18 questions, along with the best answers I could muster.  Enjoy!

1.  What would you do differently, if you knew nobody would judge you?

I would be an artist.  Not simply with a brush or a camera, but with life.  Anything that is worth doing can be done beautifully if given the freedom to express yourself fully in the endeavor.  I would still do many of the things I do every day now, I would just do them with more panache and less structure…and I would bet that the results would be much more interesting!

2.   If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would you allow that person to be your friend?

Depends.  Sometimes what I crave is a friend who can take an honest look at me and tell me I am wrong.  We all need to hit the guardrails now and then to get back on the road.

3.      How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

Wow, this one hurts, just like my neck, back and knees.  I would guess 50.  Ouch.

 

      4.      If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be?

Wake up, read over these questions, start to change your life.

Love more people, more often.

Take a risk on something wonderful and never look back.

Join a credit union immediately!

5. Is it possible to lie without saying a word?

Of course.  Eyes, body language and physical presence can be more deceitful than even the boldest lie, and more hurtful to the poor soul on the receiving end when the lie is found out.

6. If not now, then when?

            I hate this one.  It is a bit haunting to me.  More on this one later…I’m still thinking of excuses.

7. Are you holding onto something that you need to let go of?

            Yes, yes, and yes.  Gets heavier every day...

8. Have you done anything lately worth remembering?

            Fortunately yes!  I have recently met some wonderful people from all over the world who share one of my passions.  Even more so, I have a beautiful wife and three wonderful sons and I hope to remember every second we spend together!

9. Would you break the law to save a loved one?

            Yes. In a heartbeat.

10. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards and just do what you know is right?

            Ughhh.  Another one I am struggling with.  More to follow…

11. Who do you love? And what are you doing about it?

            I truly love the people I surround myself with.  Of course my wife and boys, my family and close friends.  But also my coworkers, colleagues  people I serve with in the community, at church…I have a pretty large capacity for love, it is the second part of the question that gets me.  I am not doing all I can and should to show them that love or to give of myself unconditionally as an expression of that love.

12. Do you ask enough questions? Or do you settle for what you know?

             I am a fairly curious person.  A little more so as I get older and am less trusting of the status quo…I truly believe that one should NEVER stop learning no matter how old or wise.

13. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you have done?

            Excellent question.  I think right now I am saying a lot, and doing a lot.  It is a result of my career choice – I have to talk out a strategy before implementation.  When it is just my direct constituents though, I often do first and explain later, much to their dismay…

14. When was the last time you tried something new?

            Yesterday…but today is young.

15. Which activities make you lose track of time?

            Writing.  Painting.  Praying.  Playing with my boys.

16. If you could do it all over again, would you change anything?

            Just the amount of worry about things that didn’t really matter and the things I wanted to do but didn’t because of perceived risk.  I am learning that I regret the things I didn’t do in life much more often than the things I actually did.

17. What is the difference between living and existing?

            Reward, intention, passion and play.

18. If you had to teach something, what would you teach?

            Self expression.  To find who you are and then chip off everything that hides that beautiful sculpture that is the real you.  To be you in every situation, every group of people and every stage of life and to realize that you, as the artist painting your life, have the freedom to change whenever you want.

If that didn’t work out…History, I would teach History.