Hope you took a look at the new Lending Hope Initiative, featured in yesterday's post. [link]. The Initiative has few peers in the power and clarity of its' mission and messaging!
The Initiative's mission is to lend local folks money in hard times, right? No, not really. The Initiative is pursuing a much higher calling! Their name says it all...
✔ Lending Hope Initiative is lending hope to their neighbors in Warren County, North Carolina.
Lending money is important and necessary, but is little more than a routine, run-of-the-mill financial transaction. Lending hope is a transaction of higher purpose - aimed at the heart, aimed at the soul. An effort to be something more.
"Hope for the best"; "our hopes and dreams"; "to have high hopes"; "a ray of hope"; "to hope against hope"; "our last, best hope"; "hope springs eternal"; "to keep hope alive"... we all need hope.
✔ Nobody ever hopes to be poor...
Credit unions use to be skilled at both lending and hope, but not so much anymore. Instead, our focus seems to be on meaningless "market-share", narcissistic naming rights, and the proliferation of the "me/me/me" merger. All gussied up, with feigned member focus and contrived financial benefits.
😎 Our favorite troll-twits of course don't get it, probably never have, never will: "Not sure what the point of this post is. This is what credit unions do everyday." [Anonymous February 7, 2026]
✅ The point is: Lending hope is no longer "what me/me/me credit unions do everyday". The credit union movement's war on poverty is ending... those "of modest means" have lost.
Why deprive someone of hope?... it might be all they have.
SECU - There is a difference ...
ReplyDeleteThat used to mean something ... sadly not now
You can’t spend marketing dollars and help people to?
ReplyDelete
Delete6:02 pm Good question!
1) If you - being the very savvy financial guru you are!, spend $20 million bucks of the members' money on an exclusive naming rights "deal" for your regional, A-class pickle ball coliseum (which of course includes "complimentary" box seats , parking, plus unlimited drinks and hor d'oeuvres for C-suite execs and Board members) would that make members proud about their credit union and your brilliance?
2) Or, if given a choice, would your member-owners prefer that you hold an every-member random, raffle-drawing right before Christmas and a) awarded $20 million to one lucky member, or b) awarded $1 million to 20 lucky members, or c) awarded $100,000 to 200 lucky members or d) awarded $10,000 to 2,000 lucky members or even e) awarded $1,000 to 20,000 of your members?
Which choice do you think would enhance the "market vibe" for your credit union - pickle ball naming rights or raffle?
What do you think would happen to new membership enrollment if you announced the raffle six months in advance?
Know these are tough questions, so take your time.
... or to make it simpler, why not do an email poll of your members?
Maximum cash prize is $125k in NC. But you already knew that because you are clearly an expert.
Delete1:37pm Might want alittle deeper into North Carolina law.
DeleteBut glad you've taken a look and acknowledge that narcissistic naming rights have no benefit to credit union member.
Me/me/me, self-selfie execs yes, member-owners not all.
4:04pm Should read: "You might want to take a little deeper look into North Carolina law."
DeleteSorry for typos, but do appreciate you learning more about raffles and how they could offer a lot of hope... and cash...to member-owners.
Do run the member email poll to confirm that members much prefer the cash... not "industry standard", me/me/me marketeering ... or even y'know, Super Bowl ads!
A Super Bowl ad never ran. Get over it.
Delete5:30 pm Nope but appreciate you confirming it was planned ... "We Are..." and all that y'know .
DeleteClearing up a of "mysteries" for everyone... thanks much!
Please tell me more about this Pickleball stadium. I do enjoy the sport and had no idea SECU was paying $20m for naming rights. Where is it located? What events will be held there?
DeleteI think you meant a sweepstakes, not raffle.
Delete6:52am Up early, seeking shelter?
DeleteNope, meant raffle. Sweepstakes rules are different.
In reference to the 5:06pm post, (and the 4:04pm Twit) here's what N.C. law says if one takes time to read it all:
"G.S. 14-309.15 Page1
§ 14‑309.15. Raffles.
(h) Notwithstanding any other subsection of this section, it is lawful for a federally
insured depository institution to conduct a savings promotion raffle under G.S. 53C‑6‑20,
54‑109.64, 54B‑140, or 54C‑180. (1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1107, s. 11; 1993, c. 219, s. 1; c.
539, s. 215; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1997‑10, s. 1; 2005‑276, s. 17.31; 2005‑345, s. 31;
2006‑264, s. 3(a); 2009‑49, s. 1; 2011‑146, s. 1; 2013‑381, s. 59.1; 2018‑100, s. 5(b); 2019‑173, s.
2(a); 2023‑137, s. 47(a). "
SECU is a federally insured depository institution.
5:15pm Hadn't heard either that SECU was planning on naming rights for a pickle ball stadium. Where did you hear that?
Delete'Course it could have been approved by the Board back in September along with those "no amendment amendments". One never knows these days and our CEO is afraid to tell.
Are you recommending it? BTW as to your question, "What events will be held there"? My guess would be pickle ball.
Might want to follow the evolving comments on those infamous "no amendment amendments" on the 2/8 post - [https://www.secujustasking.com/2026/02/real-people-helping-people.html?sc=1770564026096#c5529181920913791831]
ReplyDelete