Starting 2012 Right!

Happy New Year! I am excited about 2012. Why? Because I believe I am going to live more of my purpose in life and discover more of what that purpose is. The best thing about it is I get to live 2012 with wisdom gained from previous years. I discovered a long time ago that difficult circumstances, challenges, and situations are my greatest lessons in life; while difficult to embrace at times, they can sometimes be just what you need to propel you into your future.

I have also discovered that living out your purpose also needs some purposeful steps as well. We should always be looking to increase our knowledge, skills and abilities. Whatever you desire to
accomplish learn how to accomplish it. Take a class, get a degree, be mentored by someone or whatever you need to achieve success, do it. I am taking some purposeful steps this year and cannot wait to blog about how they have helped me.

I am excited to blog this year because I know I am going to have some fantastic successes from my entire family to write about. :-D

Make it a fabulous New Year!

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People Helping People

I just came back from the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and African American Credit Union Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) conferences; these are two of the best conferences in the credit union movement. However, in this blog I am going to talk primarily about the AACUC and what I experienced during that conference. Before I begin I want to remind and tell others for the first time of the credit union movement's "social purpose". . The Credit Union National Association's (CUNA) website states that credit unions have the following "Social Purpose: Credit unions exist to help people, not make a profit. Our goal is to serve all of our members well, including those of modest means - every member counts. Our members are fiercely loyal for this reason. They know their credit union will be there for them in bad times, as well as good. The same people-first philosophy causes credit unions and our employees to get involved in community charitable activities and worthwhile causes." (CUNA.ORG) In my opinion, this is the AACUC's approach to every challenge or situation put in front of them "PEOPLE FIRST".

"The AACUC was created to support programs that offer benefits for African-American and African descent credit union professionals and volunteers, credit unions, and credit union vendor partners. The goals and objectives include expanding the interest and increasing the numbers of minorities in the credit union movement; increasing outreach of the credit union movement in African countries and in the United States through credit union mentoring; providing scholarship programs and educational opportunities to credit union professionals and volunteers towards professional development and advancement; and most importantly enhancing internship and scholarship programs for African-American and African descent college students in pursuit of financial services careers to introduce them to and encourage them to seek employment within the credit union movement." (AACUC.ORG)

I can say there is follow-through with this statement from their website. I have greatly benefited from the support of the AACUC, by way of scholarships for Ivy League graduate education, mentorship, correction and encouragement. In my opinion, the AACUC exemplifies the credit union philosophy of "People Helping People"; in addition to helping individuals they are making an impact on a global level. Whether they are partnering with WOCCU, digging in to help other credit unions to continue to support their communities or helping someone like me progress in their career; the AACUC is constantly helping people.

The AACUC chose New Orleans to be the host city for this year's annual conference; almost six years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the Levies. I am glad that they did and I can say I saw firsthand that New Orleans is an amazing demonstration of "People Helping People". I was impressed with the people of New Orleans, despite what had occurred six years earlier there was still such a zeal for life and community. I am sure there are many others demonstrating the social purpose of "People helping People but there is one credit union that I want to talk about specifically because I had an opportunity to visit their shop and see firsthand the difference they are making in the community. Hope Enterprise Corporation and Hope Credit Union are poster organizations for "People Helping People". Hope Federal Credit Union was started in 1995 by a community church in Mississippi; like many not for profits, Hope fell upon difficult times a few years after their beginnings and reached out to the AACUC for their mentorship and expertise. The AACUC's Leaders answered the call and helped them to develop a plan to overcome their challenges; today, Hope Credit Union is one of the fastest growing credit unions and not only serves communities in Mississippi, but also Arkansas, Tennessee and Louisiana. Hope's expansion into Louisiana has become crucial because of the devastation that hit the gulf coast of Mississippi and New Orleans in August 2005. After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, Hope Credit Union was the only financial institution that opened immediately in Central City. Since, the devastation of the storm and the aftermath that followed, Hope Credit Union has played an integral part of the rebuilding of New Orleans, Mississippi Gulf Coast and other communities. Hope has created programs such as the following:

• Affordable Housing Programs to rebuild the areas devastated by Katrina
  
• Partnership with Goldman Sachs to bring back small businesses and bolster small business growth in New Orleans
  
• Foreclosure mitigation for areas impacted by Katrina and the downturn of the economy
  
• And the list goes on…
  

As I stated in the beginning of this blog, I attended the WOCCU Conference as well. There I heard how countries such as Africa, Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and many more were overcoming dire obstacles to bring services to their communities. In some areas of the world there are people literally risking their lives to ensure that members of their communities are provided financial literacy and are given give what we consider a basic right, a checking and savings account. Now, that I am back at my credit union in Seattle, I am so jazzed about all of the possibilities to help our members. Every community has their challenges but I can say that I probably won't end up needing a body guard because I want everyone to have a savings account, I can say we have resources and I we haven't been hit by a natural disaster in recent years. There are people all over this world making it happen for their members under all of those circumstances, so there are NO EXCUSES, help someone today. Personally and professionally, I am in the "People Helping People" business.





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Why I Walk for Lupus

In 1974, my mother was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). Lupus is an autoimmune disease characterized by acute and chronic inflammation of various tissues of the body. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when the body's tissues are attacked by its own immune system. (medicinenet.com) The most common forms of lupus are discoid and SLE both forms occur more often in women than men; with the largest demographic of lupus patients being African-American women.



The moment my mom was diagnosed it turned our lives upside down. When my mother received her diagnosis; I was only five years old, my brother was 18 months and my sister was a newborn. A few months later we were sent to live with relatives because my mother was hospitalized for several months and unable to care for us; I believe we were sent to live with my mother's sister in Maryland, this was one of many times that we would have to leave our home due to my mom's illness. We were often on our own or split up amongst relatives whenever my mom would have a flare. I had to learn to be responsible and care for others at a very young age; being the oldest of the three children, responsibility was not much of an option.



You see, even when my mom was home, she was often not able to care for herself or us; due to affects of the disease and more often because of the side-effects from her prescribed medications. Lupus was not well known and there were not any drugs specifically to treat lupus; patients were left with drugs that had horrible side-effects, drugs such as prednisone (a steroid), plaquenil and sometimes even chemotherapy. The plaquenil caused severe nightmares, my mother would cry out nightly in her sleep. Imagine being a young child being woken most nights by this, and feeling like it was your responsibility to make sure everything was ok. The prednisone caused weight gain, extreme mood swings and finally heart damage. My mother passed away from a massive heart attack six months after her 50th birthday.



I do not regret the difficulty I had growing up; in fact I don't see how I could be the person I am today without the lessons of strength, perseverance and faith that I had to learn at age too young to do most things. :-) However, I would not wish that lack of a childhood on anyone. Lupus can slowly destroy a person's body and leave unforgettable emotional scars on their loved ones. I believe the journey I experienced as a child is so I can help others today; my hope is that no other lupus patient has to endure what my mother endured for 27 years of her life and no other little girl (or boy) has to carry the burdens of an adult as I did. 



There is good news today, as I stated before the only options for treatment were prednisone and drugs used to treat other diseases, but today after more than 50 years the FDA approved a drug specifically to treat lupus, Benlysta. This is definitely a step in the right direction for all lupus patients, and all the people who love and support them. While this is fabulous news, we have more to do. The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is at the forefront of research and services for lupus patients and their families, and there are walks called "Walk for Lupus Now" all over the country helping fund the LFA's efforts.

I walk for lupus in memory of my mother Gloria (Glo) Brown and my family members who are still battling lupus today. Join me by "Walking for Lupus Now", donating or by joining my fundraising team; it is easy, just click on the link below and look for Team "Glo". https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=470305&supId=324074019

Thank you for your support,

Toni

Reference Materials:
http://www.medicinenet.com/systemic_lupus/article.htm
http://www.lupuspnw.org
http://lupus.org


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Location:Seattle Area

Decisions and Opportunities; Opportunities and Decisions

It has been almost a year since I blogged last! So sorry, I have been very busy with family, work and CEO School. CEO School is a fantastic opportunity that came out of nowhere and something that I thought would never be an opportunity for me. I am a Human Resources (HR) person, my education and experience has always been about the people and never really geared towards running the business, I do have an MBA but it is with an emphasis in HR, and let us just say growing up people did not necessarily see me as executive of any type let alone a CEO. Therefore, I automatically dismissed the idea of even applying for a scholarship to attend this program when I first heard about it. Almost missing out on this opportunity made me re-think how I approach decisions and opportunities in my life.

Why the title "Decisions and Opportunities; Opportunities and Decisions" you may ask, because an opportunity often begins with making a bold
decision. Good/positive decisions and opportunities are all around us. The truth of the matter many are not looking for either. Most are expecting opportunity to come screaming after them, rather than recognizing that an opportunity specifically designed for them just quietly walked by in the form of an opportunity to make a bold
decision. In the CEO School opportunity, I almost made the decision not to take advantage of the opportunity because it was outside of my comfort zone and it did not fit the picture others had painted for me. The truth of the matter there are several ways you can miss the opportunity to make bold decisions.

We miss those opportunities to make bold decisions in a variety of ways, such as
looking at the lives of others rather than looking for the opportunities in our own lives. One of life's greatest lessons for me was when I discovered there was a destiny specifically designed for me. Let me tell you, there is so much joy and freedom when you realize that you do not have to live another's destiny. I do understand we all stumble across a life that looks very appealing to us; however, were we often go wrong is that we try to imitate that life. Individuals, who imitate, miss so much because they never encounter the beautiful plan (those opportunities to make bold decisions) for their own lives. Trying to live the plan of others is so difficult and not designed to be fulfilling in the least bit, in fact, it is very defeating.

There is another type of failure that happens in the pursuit of one's destiny, stagnant thinking. Often people refuse to think differently, they bought completely the lies told to them by others during the course of their lives. They often buy the negative report of the news and the negativity that they may have witnessed around them. They care more about impressing others rather than working the plan carefully orchestrated for them. One of the greatest things I have found out about the plan for my life, is I have the opportunity (bold decisions) to take the talents that I have been given, and impact someone else's life in a positive way. You know what; Toni had to learn that the plan for her life is not entirely about her; I had to learn to check the ego at the door. Go figure!

Things are often not perfect; I have lived a very imperfect life but still I am blessed. Often people let their mistakes define their future in a negative way. Mistakes are just what they are, mistakes. Webster's defines mistakes as "to blunder in choice"; that says it all, just make a different choice the next time. Now, realizing that sometimes those blunders come with consequences and sometimes those consequences are severe, however, it does not mean life is over. Many times these blunders are valuable lessons and while sometimes the consequences are uncomfortable, they are often key to getting you on the right path. I wish I could say I knew every detail of my life, the truth is I don't, but I will continue to seek wisdom, and most importantly continue to work the plan that was designed for me. Most importantly, I will continue to make BOLD DECISIONS.

I am Blessed!

I am blessed! For someone reason I feel the need to say it this way; I am "Blessed not perfect". I have lived a very imperfect life but still I am blessed. Often people let their mistakes define their future. Mistakes are just what they are mistakes. Webster's defines mistakes as "to blunder in choice"; that says to me, just make a different choice next time. Now, I know that sometimes those blunders' come with consequences, and sometimes those consequences are severe but it does not mean life is over. Many times the blunders are valuable lessons and while they are uncomfortable, they are often key to getting you on the right path.

This Christmas season let's recognize that we are blessed, learn from our mistakes and make the New Year fantastic! Start by helping out a great cause The Royal Project by purchasing a 2010 calendar.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act Includes Increases for Programs Advocated by the LFA

FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act Includes Increases for Programs Advocated by the LFA

March 11, 2009
article by Lupus Foundation of America (Reference Below)

The United States Senate today passed appropriations legislation which funds much of the federal government through the end of September. The bill provides $4 million to support the National Lupus Patient Registry, as part of a broader national epidemiological study on lupus, and $1 million for a national health provider education program to improve early diagnosis and treatment of lupus and reduce health disparities. The legislation also includes nearly $1 billion more for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the largest single source for funding for biomedical research on lupus.

Under the legislation, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will receive an additional $1 million to further expand the National Lupus Patient Registry (NLPR). In 2003, the CDC received $1 million to establish lupus registries in Georgia and Michigan. LFA has advocated expanding the program to include additional sites in other parts of the U.S. to ensure the study includes all forms of lupus and all populations affected by lupus, particularly African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asian Americans, and Native Americans who are disproportionately at-risk for lupus. Thanks to all of the hard work of LFA advocates, last year Congress tripled funding for the registry. The registry will receive another substantial increase in funding for 2009.

The legislation, named the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act (H.R. 1105), also provides funds to conduct a national health provider education program on lupus. Congress provided $1 million for this program, to be operated jointly by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, Office on Women’s Health, and the U.S Surgeon General. The education program addresses a key goal for the LFA’s advocacy efforts to improve early diagnosis and treatment of lupus. According to a LFA survey, more than half of the people with lupus reported they suffered symptoms of the disease for four or more years and visited three or more doctors before obtaining a diagnosis of lupus.

LFA officials also express appreciation to Congress for their steadfast support of the National Institutes of Health. Research supported by the NIH is a critical component of efforts to find the causes of lupus and development safer, more tolerable and effective treatments for the disease.
Senate passage of the 2009 appropriations legislation follows the LFA’s Eleventh Annual Advocacy Day when advocates from across the nation gathered in Washington, D.C. Advocates met with Members of Congress or staff members on March 3, 2009 and shared the message that federal funding for lupus research in 2010 must be expanded.

Reference: http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_empty.aspx?articleid=2395&zoneid=99

I am Not That Deep!

Today, I heard a preacher say, he is just not that deep, and it reminded me of a conversation I had with a friend. The friend and I were talking about life and she had it all figured out and I remember saying to her, WOW; I am just not that deep. I admit I can sometimes say deep things but most of the time that is by total accident. ;-)

What did I mean by that? I think I meant I am just living life, I am most definitely trying to do the right things but I must admit I sometimes fall short, and I am sure glad mercies are new every morning. I have always been intense and some have even said intimidating. The intensity comes from having to make adult decisions and deal with very adult situations at way too young of an age. However, I think the intensity was also from trying to figure out who I was going to be or what I was going to do when others were saying not so kind things. The intimidation, well not to sound sarcastic but I somewhat think, that is the issue of the person feeling intimated (sorry).

OK so, with all that being said; I am happy to say that at the moment I get what I am suppose to do and I like who I am! So this year in my journey, I discovered and I admit it was probably in a moment when I was trying to be all super spiritual (oh yeah we all have those moments), I figured out that I am just not that deep (cracking up).

OK, here is what I have figured out:

• I found a career that I am good at, but it is only a small part of whom I am.
• I love video games! Ha, this may be a larger part of me.
• I love being a mom and I think I have the neatness kids.
• I love to help people.
• Finally, I want to make a positive difference.

For me I learned I could accomplish those things through my relationship with Christ. That relationship has taught me not to judge, to be giving, to be forgiving and at peace. Here is the cool part; if I can, not judge, if I can, be at peace, if I am forgiving and if I continue to live to give; then I can accomplish my list above. PRETTY COOL!

Now for my most important lesson, God made me smart, bold, intense, purposeful, and ME, and you know what, I LOVE IT! Live the life you were born to live and LOVE IT!

Stay Blessed,

Toni