Main Street is Pissed Off… Are Your Credit Union Members?

Check out this neat social media tool from MSNBC’s Gut Check America.  This interactive “photo story wall” allows people to share their stories and feelings on the current financial situation.  Not only can they write their feelings “on the wall” but they can also post their picture putting a face to the story. 

I wonder how many of these post are credit union members? 

As a follow up to Devora’s question, how cool would this be to develop a “wall” like this for credit union members to sound off and really bring a strong front for change and government action. 

Do you give your credit union members the chance to sound off about what is on their mind and pissing them off?  There is no better time than now to listen to them.

A Panoramic View of the Credit Union Landscape

Tom Dorety, who currently serves as Chair of the Credit Union National Association Board and the MEMBERS Trust Company Board, takes a look at today's issues and what we might expect down the road.  He offers his perspective and opinions that are not all politically correct! 

Check out the video below to learn more about the issues that are pressing in the Credit Union world.  Feel free to shout back and share your opinions on the issues we face today. 

Can Credit Unions Survive the Current Bailout

Devora contacted us the other day with a great question for discussion.  We thought it would be fitting to put a little “yes/no” survey together to see what the pulse is out there.  We also want you to share your thoughts and comments about if credit unions can prove we don’t need more regulation but less. 

Regarding this “regulation”, Robbie Wright brought to my attention that the Texas Dow Employees Credit Union (TDECU) “Safe & Sound” micro-site was shut down by the FDIC.

To access the site you have to go through a back page as the domain now redirects to TDECU public web site.  Here is a link to the “Safe & Sound” micro site.

My take on this is what did TDECU do wrong except take the current bank crisis and capitalize on it by differentiating their strength that credit unions are safe.  They may be a little more “in your face” about it than some of the other credit unions but what a great way to educate and connect with their market on the credit union difference.

In addition, the CU Times reported that Texas Credit Union Commissioner Harold Feeney requested the credit union “delete any references on your  Web site or in any future media advertisements that could imply that deposits in banks are not as safe as deposits in credit unions.”

So, please share your thoughts and comments about if credit unions can prove we don’t need more regulation and survive the current bailout.   

Riding Out Ike - A Credit Union Perspective

The following story was submitted by Jennifer Robinett of JSC FCU.  She shares her experience before and after Hurricane Ike. 

"I can honestly say the past week has seemed the longest week of my life. Riding out a hurricane is not just getting through the noise and lack of sleep when it tears through your town. It is about pulling through the aftermath of such a powerful storm. I stayed in Houston for Hurricane Ike, and the most difficult part of being in the fourth largest city in the nation is dealing with the chaos that ensued after.

No power or traffic lights, high water, flooding damage. Intermittent communication was available when FEMA didn't take over cell phone towers. There was shortage of fuel, water, basic necessities... Starbucks! I have learned that apparently some still don't know the concept of a 4 way stop.

Can U Rel8? A Gen Y Panel Discussion

In this session, you will listen to young people discuss their future as it relates to financial services.  For a change, we're not talking ABOUT Generation Y, we're talking WITH Generation Y.  An actual panel of young people were asked real questions about real issues by you, the Credit Union Leader.

Check out the video below to learn more about how your credit union can reach Generation Y.  Feel free to shout back and share different ways your credit union is working to meet the needs of younger generations. 

REAL Solutions Makes REAL Sense

Lois Kitsch joined the National Credit Union Foundation as the National Program Manager of the REAL Solutions program in December of 2006.  REAL Solutions - Relevant, Effective, Asset-building and Loyalty producing - demonstrates the opportunity for credit unions to reach low-wealth and low-wage households.  Providing access to transaction and wealth building products for emerging markets is a good business and social decision for credit unions.  Join us to learn how credit unions are expanding their service area and give members needed financial relief.

Check out the video below to learn more about how your credit union can do more to reach more people. 

Go For It - How To Make This The Best & Most Accomplished Year Ever!

Mike Hayashi is a 7^th Degree Black Belt and has been a Personal Safety & Empowerment Corporate Trainer to the Fortune 500 since 1986.  He has created this upbeat, empowering session for all attendees to walk out with tools to face adversity and find the positive energy within themselves in an informative, but light and humorous format. 

Check out the video below and shout back at us with any helpful information regarding how you keep your fellow peers upbeat, positive, and happy.

"People Helping People" During Ike

Below is a portion of a press release submitted on Friday. This information is important to all credit unions that were affected by Ike and credit unions across the country who want to help.

Friday, September 12, 2008 - (Farmers Branch, TX) - With Hurricane Ike barreling down on the Texas coast, the credit union community stands ready to help. The Texas Credit Union Foundation (the Foundation) has joined hands with the Texas Credit Union League (the League), U.S. credit unions and the National Credit Union Foundation (National Foundation) to raise disaster relief support for affected credit unions and the employees that serve them.

One of the Foundation's focus areas is disaster relief to credit union communities. It assists credit unions and their employees in getting back up and running as soon as possible, so they in turn can serve their members.

"We will work closely with affected credit unions and the League to assess the needs in the affected areas," said Jill Pharr, executive director of the Foundation. "We will also serve as the repository for credit union disaster donations, which will then be provided in the form of emergency grants for credit union employees."

The Foundation has partnered with the National Foundation to raise and distribute disaster aid through CUAid (www.cuaid.coop/texas), an online fundraising tool developed by the National Foundation. The online tool links the entire credit union system to raise money for disaster relief, most recently with the Iowa floods and California wildfires. The secure onine tool is the only one of its kind that enables credit union members and employees, as well as credit unions and state credit union foundations across the U.S. to contribute directly to support other credit unions and their employees.

If you are affected this is how it works.

Disaster Relief
Whether it is a hurricane on the Gulf Coast, or a Tsunami thousands of miles around the globe, credit unions are known for their quick and generous support of disaster relief efforts. The Texas Credit Union Foundation is able to respond to disasters because of Texas credit unions’ commitment to the credit union philosophy, “people helping people.”

That commitment was exemplified best in 2005-06 when Texas Credit Unions, the Texas Credit Union League and Texas Credit Union Foundation came together to contribute over $715,000 in disaster relief funds to credit union employees and volunteers who suffered the ravages of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Working together with other Leagues, CUNA, the National Credit Union Foundation, and affected credit unions, these funds were distributed directly to those in need so they could stabilize their lives and continue to serve their members.

TCUF has established the following process when disaster occurs.

— Phase One - Needs assessment, fundraising and initial Phase One emergency grants. TCUF and the Texas Credit Union League will work closely with all parties and partners to determine the scope of the disaster and need. A call for disaster relief donations will be issued to member credit unions. Both the Texas Credit Union League and the Texas Credit Union Foundation also contribute to the TCUF general disaster fund as the need arises. These pooled funds are distributed to the appropriate recipient fund depending on the disaster location.
If the disaster occurs in Texas, TCUF will issue a call for grant applications from credit unions and/or staff who see financial assistance for immediate disaster related needs. The “Phase One” grant application is simple to complete and requires the signature of the credit union ceo. Once submitted, the TCUF grants committee approves and the grants of up to $500 are provided.

— Phase Two is the call for grant applications from credit unions and/or staff and volunteers who have sustained significant damage that extends beyond any insurance, FEMA or Red Cross benefits. Phase Two grants are generally accepted after a period of time when other sources of relief have been exhausted. Phase Two grant applicants will be asked to state the specific extent of loss along with any other monetary relief that has been received. The signature of the credit union ceo is required before submission.

Questions?
Please contact the Texas Credit Union Foundation staff at 1-800-442-6762, Ext. 6447 if you have any questions or need additional forms.

Do you have an experience or resource that needs to be communicated to credit unions that are in any way affected by Hurricane Ike? If you do shout back and share.

Share Your Credit Union Hurricane Story

Today we have been busy supporting our credit unions sending in web site status updates to keep their members informed. To hear the story from one credit union who was down in an evacuation zone tells how bad this hurricane really was.

The CUs VP of IT was already up in Dallas just in case they had to move into disaster management mode. Well, that time has come. She informed me that half of their main branch's roof was torn off by the hurricane and some offices had a few feet of standing water. They are currently in the process of implementing their backup plan.

While we have blogged "The Eye of Ike" below and you have heard our story, we want to hear yours now. Not only your story but tell us how things are going at your credit union if you were affected by the hurricane. Share what you need. Now it is time to live as "people helping people". Not for members, but for each other. To share resources, ideas, support and love.

Please shout back and post your thoughts, comments or credit union hurricane story. Tell us how things are going and how we can help. Let us know if you have any questions and ask the CU Grow community.

The Eye of Ike - 6:15 PM

Wow... what a very long day this has been.  It has been both physically and mentally exhausting.  After checking our house this morning and finding it OK for the most part with one small leak and one shingle pulled back, we went to eat breakfast at my parents house down the street.  They faired pretty well too.

After we left, we drove over to my wife's parents house which is about 5 minutes away. It ended up taking 15 minutes to get there due to water and debris in the road. Once there, things did not look so pretty. Her parents have alot of old oak trees around there house. On a positive note, none landed on the house and there was no major damage there. However, some of the cars did not do so well.

From the looks of it, it appeared that a small tornado went through as the trees snapped off at the top like toothepicks and were not uprooted or blown over. They even had a porta-potty blown into there yard. I have pictures which will be posted.

At about 1:30PM, her parents went to their church (which is in Sugar Land about 25 miles from Pasadena) where they had heard there was major damage. Upon arriving, her parents found that half the roof was blown off and there was water standing inside. There was supposed to be a church party tonight which has turned into a church cleanup.

While my wife's parents went to the church, my wife and I went to the office. We found that an entire window had been blown out and rain got in and soaked the carpet and a desk. In the grand scheme of things no big deal. All computers, servers and electronic equipment had already been backed up, removed or stored. I will post more on the business side of things in a following post.

We're still without power here but I type this post on my laptop now instead of my phone... so much quicker. I was able to get back online thanks to a little planning ahead. Earlier this hurricane season, I picked up a couple of power convertors to run from the cars.  Now that the phones are backup, I wanted to check the Uverse.

After plugging the convertor in and turning the car on, the router flickered red, the green, then red, then finally stayed green and I was back online.