Happy International Credit Union Day!

Wow, what collaboration I have seen and experienced with the events and aftermath of Ike. It is amazing to me how the credit union community has come together in time of need. Dick Ensweiler from the Texas Credit Union League sent out a message to the credit union community today that summarizes what credit unions are all about. Below is a portion of the message.

On behalf of all of us here at the Texas Credit Union League (TCUL), I wish you a happy International Credit Union Day! I always enjoy the opportunity to celebrate the credit union difference, but this year’s International Credit Union Day has even greater significance to me.

Over the last several weeks, I have visited with our credit unions in Southeast Texas who had the misfortunate of being in the path of Hurricane Ike. Knowing the magnitude of this hurricane, I expected to see damage, but I was not prepared for what I saw in community after community - total devastation.

Seeing homes gutted and all their personal property scattered about their yard; entire shopping centers demolished with signage being the only evidence that a thriving business once occupied that space; barges flung onto the roadways where cars once traveled, and cadaver dogs sniffing the shoreline for the unfortunate ones who may have been caught in the fury of the storm, I was overcome with despair, and concern for how those living in these communities, including our credit unions and the dedicated employees and volunteers who serve them, could even begin to rebuild their lives.

What I quickly discovered is that, in the face of adversity, there was sheer determination to persevere. Communities pulled together to restore some degree of normalcy. Friends and neighbors worked side by side to clear away debris. And credit unions collaborated to quickly restore financial service to hurricane victims.

On my numerous visits to the hardest hit areas, I witnessed firsthand what it really means to be a part of a cooperative system. In a time of tragedy, the credit union community has once again proven that ‘people helping people’ isn’t just a catchy cliché, but rather it is the core of who we are. It is our foundation.

“It Belongs to Me” is not just the theme of this year’s International Credit Union Day, but rather it the way of life for credit unions. Though the credit union movement has evolved over the decades, one thing remains consistent: not-for-profit credit unions exist solely to serve and help their members -- people from all types of backgrounds and means.

I believe our credit unions in Southeast Texas are a strong testament to this commitment. I met with countless credit union employees on my tour of this area and I cannot tell you how impressed I was with them. Many did not even have homes to return to in the evening and yet day after day they were in their credit unions serving and consoling their members.

It is gratifying to see that in the darkest hour, our credit unions in the affected area are not alone. The credit union movement was quick to respond with support on various levels, from donations into the Texas Credit Union Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund; contributions of furniture and other desperately needed office supplies and space, and to simple words of encouragement...

Each and every day, we have a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate that there is real value in our cooperative structure. And I believe that as long as we adhere to our basic principle, “people helping people,” the credit union community will continue to persevere.

Happy International Credit Union Day!

Shout back about what you have seen or experienced in this last year that makes this year's International Credit Union Day significant and a reason to celebrate.

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.

"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.

Evacuees in CC

We decided to head west to avoid Ike's path and are in sunny Corpus Christi.  Stayed up all night watching the news coverage on the storm.

A friend of mine who stayed went to check on my home.  He stated my street is un-drivable and looks like a forest.  I had 10-15 50" pines surrounding my home.  Many of them fell, 3 of them directly on it.  One went through the roof.  He did not report any flooding.  I am not sure when I will be able to get back home, but currently I am very grateful to have one... 

The Eye of Ike - 9:33 AM

I have been up for about an hour now. In a way, the feeling I had when I awoke was a bit like Christmas. That may sound a bit odd but it was more the excitement and anxiety of what exactly happened in the dark of night.

My wife was still sleeping when I awoke and so I opened the blinds to see outside. There were so many leaves and twigs plastered to the window. Upon first glance in the backyard, the only damage was to the grapevines. I took a look out the side window and saw that our neighbor lost about 5 trees in her backyard.

Upon looking out the front windows, our trees were fine. But then I saw that a house across the way lost about half the shingles on the back of their roof leaving plywood exposed. That made me think about water damage as I was not sure if we lost any shingles.

At that time, the phone rings and it is my father asking how everything was They live right down the street and they had lost some shingles and had a couple of water leaks. I looked aorund the house on the inside and found one very small water leak.

I then went outside and looked around. Leaves and twigs were all over the yard and the ground was saturated. The wind was still high but not like last night. The worst was from about midnight to 7 this morning. I looked at the roof and found we did not lose any shingles.

I am still blogging from my phone as the power is still out. The cell phones work but are on roaming. Glad we have the Sprint Everything plan as we will not be charged.

Jonathan has not posted any videos due to the lack of power. We are about to head down to my parents for breakfast and will take pictures to post later. My Mammaw is cooking French Toast. They came in from Beaumont.

The Eye of Ike - 5:18 AM

The eye has passed and the winds and rain have started back up. Except this time the winds are coming from the south instead of from the north as before. So now wind/rain/debris are being thrown on the south side windows.

We probably have another 5-6 hours of high winds that may be more intense than before. It has been a long night/day/few days. From getting our gulf coast CUs prepared for the storm, to flying up to Dallas to setup the backup location if needed, to driving back down to Houston down 45 south towards the storm to be with the family, what a past few crazy days.

Power just went out again and have been making these blog posts throughout the night via my mobile phone. Just took a peak outside and some of my grape vines have been ripped off there t-posts. Hope to have some pics up later this morning when it is safe to head outside.

The Eye of Ike - 4:27 AM

The eye of Ike is here. I have spent the last 4 hours snoozing in and out of sleep. The wind has been coming in around 80 plus MPH constant and then gusts. Every now and then we will get a big gust that wakes me up and sounds like the roof is barely holding on. There are knocks and bangs on the windows from unknown debris.

The power finally got knocked around 1:30 AM. Right now though, it is crazy calm. No wind... No rain. Just quiet. After a quick look outside there appears to be no major damage but it is still dark.

Leaves scatter the yard with small branches. There appear to be a few small trees blown down around the neighborhood. The power/internet/Uverse have all come back on during the eye. Not sure how much longer we have of the calm.

The Eye of Ike - 12:23 AM

Looking out the windows. Trees are bending way over now. Saw a couple of transformers blow and light up the sky. Listening to local talk radio and just texted in a live update report. Pretty cool how I just became a reporter.. Gotta love the power so social media. Going to get a little shut eye but sleeping light tonight. They are still projecting the path to go right up I45 about 5 miles from the house. The eye should be over us around 5 to 7 AM.

The Eye of Ike - 12:03 AM

With no Internet that means no video uploads. We were uploading a video to YouTube when the Internet went down. The howling wind is starting to turn into a screaming wind. Walking around the house to make sure all is well. The house is starting to creek. Still have power here but carrying a flash light in my pocket just in case. They look more like tasers or mini-light sabers... Use the force. I attached a picture to this email of the flashlights but not sure if it will post.

The Eye of Ike - 11:05 PM

The winds are really picking up now. We are starting to hear the howl of the storm and is quite eerie. Somehow we still have power but I don't think for long. The news has been running and they are saying 500000 are now without power. Actually just turned the news off b/c it is the same thing over and over again. My wife and I just turned on Project Runway. We are so far behind. Just got a tornado alert flashed even though we are watching DVR. That's a pretty cool feature on ATT Uverse. Just spoke too soon. Power just got knocked out but came right back on. No Uverse or DSL though. Will be watching the local news stream from my phone.

The Eye of Ike - 9:16 PM

The lights are still flickering and despite two neighboring subdivisions losing power, we still have power (and internet connection!). The wind picking up and the rain is just beginning to fall. Hopefully we will get another video post up before all power is lost... only time will tell.

Until then, here's another video update.

The Eye of Ike - 7:22 PM

I was lucky to get this up as the lights are starting to flicker... we will see if we can get another video post up soon before we lose power and internet all together. Winds are picking up outside (around 60 MPH +) and it is going to get crazy over the next 12 hours. The eye of the storm is supposed to pass about 5 miles from the house up I-45. We will try to post every hour or two as long as we have a mobile phone connection and let you know what is going on from a different perspective.  If we lose contact... you can always follow the storm here: http://weatherblog.abc13.com/

But great news. We've posted the first video:

The Eye of Ike - 7:05 PM

As a social media demonstration, Jonathan Lay, Media Director at PTP NEW MEDIA will be blogging Hurricane Ike from Pasadena, TX. This is the real deal. Hopefully he will be able to get pics and video up if power is on but messages will be short n sweet like this. He will be mobile blogging like am now.