SECU - Character: Built On Honesty And Courage...#3

 ... Eleanor Roosevelt

"People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built." 

✅ Folks have asked for the original letter:

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Jean Blaine <jeanblaine@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Nov 16, 2023, 12:12 PM
Subject: Requested Retraction CEO Comments
To: mmm312506@gmail.com <mmm312506@gmail.com>
Cc: <mlconsulting2684@gmail.com>, <rsbrinson@gmail.com>, <bperkins613@gmail.com>, <jennhaygood@gmail.com>, <flemingibx@yahoo.com>, <mwootenjr@yahoo.com>, <stelfanie@charter.net>, <otherchuckstone@aol.com>, <benmclawhorn@gmail.com>, <Frank@cutoday.info>

 Ms. Mona Moon, Chair, SECU Board of Directors

November 16, 2023

Dear Chair Moon:

I am writing in reference to this quote in the10/20/2023 CU Today. (https://www.cutoday.info/site/THE-feature/Fight-Between-CEO-Ex-CEO-Goes-Public) I have waited to write expecting a public apology and retraction by Ms Brady for her comments.

“…Let me be clear on that group of members; 28 of those 32 were SECU retirees,” said Brady. “These were members where Blaine gave them a sheet of paper and said ‘You read this.’ And gave the next one a sheet of paper and said, ‘Now you read this.’ They were holding papers where Blaine gave them talking points. And they were supposed to stand up during the comment section and read their comments.”

There were no papers distributed. There were no talking points.  Members drove from across the State to speak because each one had something important to say. If you had listened, you could hear the passion in their voices.

The implication by the SECU Board spokesperson that NONE of the speakers are smart enough, knowledgeable enough, or articulate enough to write their own speeches is insulting, and proof that the CEO and SECU Board are still not listening to the membership, even after 3 incumbents were voted off the board. The nine retired employees who spoke are members too.  Are their voices irrelevant?  [Attached is a list of speakers with the time when each spoke.]
 
I wrote my own  remarks— No one gave me a sheet of paper to read. Nobody speaks for me. I practiced my delivery so I could make a strong point in two minutes—not easy to do, as the SECU Board had sought to squelch members' remarks.  

Those words I read at the annual meeting were MY words, my thoughts, my ideas. I will reiterate what I addressed to the Board, and want to be certain that you hear me.

“Even though you have done your damnedest to stifle member participation through punitive election rules and bylaw changes, You can’t shut us up and you won’t shut us out.”

I demand a written apology and retraction by Ms Brady. I look forward to receiving it before the end of November. The slander of every member who spoke will not stand unaddressed.

Jean Blaine

cc: Frank Diekmann, Editor CU Today

 

... this is kinda like food poisoning isn't it - giving everyone a stomach ache.

 

SECU: About Character - A Lapse In The Press? Giving The Benefit Of The Doubt....#2

✅ Jim Blaine <jimblainenc@gmail.com> to Frank Diekmann, CUToday Oct 22, 2023, 8:52 PM

Frank,

Don't know if you've heard much yet from your SECU story [10/20/2023], but... several of the folks who spoke at the Annual Meeting are reaching the "boiling point" and have asked me if the quotes from Leigh Brady in your story are accurate? [post #1 link], [post #2 link], [post #3 link], [post #4 link].

My response was that you've been at it a long time and if the quotation marks are there then yep its a direct quote, but I thought it might be wise to ask you if you're on "all fours" on the excerpt below or that maybe it needs to be "walked back" a bit or explained "in context"...to lessen the impact? Are you ok and firm with what was said by Leigh?

If so, the reaction ain't gonna be pretty...

Thanks, just trying to confirm the field of battle before everybody starts shooting at each other...

 

“… Let me be clear on that group of members; 28 of those 32 were SECU retirees,” said Brady. “These were members where Blaine gave them a sheet of paper and said ‘You read this.’ And gave the next one a sheet of paper and said, ‘Now you read this.’ They were holding papers where Blaine gave them talking points. And they were supposed to stand up during the comment section and read their comments.”

Brady said she knows for a fact that is what occurred."

Is this actually what Leigh said ? Thanks, fun and games...!!!

✅ Frank Diekmann frank@cutoday.info via netorgft3911930.onmicrosoft.com to Jim Blaine
Oct 22, 2023, 8:52 PM

The quote is accurate.

And if it weren’t I would have heard from Leigh Brady/SECU by now.

Frank

Frank J. Diekmann

CUToday.info 

... everyone was hoping it was a simple misquote - it wasn't.