I recently had an impromptu coffee date with a friend who was struggling in her current career.
Not struggling because she was unhappy, but struggling because in her position grant writing and doing good within the community is the mission and not everyone is on board with that mission.
I have heard stories like this so often that involve a single statement that I loathe entirely.
It can be said many ways, but it has the same rotten sentiment.
“Why would we want to help THOSE people”?
If you could physically see my blood boil when those types of words are uttered, you would think I were a human tea kettle.
Unfortunately, I have had this said to me several times throughout my career and personal life.
It’s disturbing to know that through a conversation with a fellow credit union friend, she entered a credit union to ask questions and potentially become a member.
In asking if the CU was CDFI certified, the CU employee stated—“We don’t help THOSE people”.
**Insert record screech here**
Excuse me, what?
You, a credit union, does not serve the under-served?
You, a credit union, does not meet your membership where they are in their lives?
So, you do NOT live the principles and philosophies of our entire movement?
Got it.
The absolute nonsense of that makes my eyes about roll out of my entire head.
I opened a little “store” in my community called Dept. 701 which houses gently used clothing, hygiene items, and household necessities for those in need.
No questions asked.
I live in a small rural area and with access to transportation an issue, I knew that I could see the need and fill it.
I began it in a volunteer fire department house in the corner, but it quickly grew, and I was faced with relocating to the very utilized store.
I went to a church that told me, “We don’t really want THOSE kinds of folks in and out of the church”.
Oh, you mean God’s children?
Got it.
I approached another entity in my town about renting a room and was told the same sentence verbatim.
It shouldn’t be so hard to do something good.
I eventually had a shed donated by a local men’s group and it was placed right beside my home on my property.
Dept. 701 on my property.
That started a new set of statements.
“Do you really want THOSE people on your property and knowing where you live?”
What in the world, folks?!
THOSE people are human beings.
THOSE people are your friends, your neighbors, and even your family members.
THOSE people exist in your daily lives, and you may not even be aware.
How did I respond?
Of course I want them on my property, getting what they need for themselves and their families without the fear of judgement, shame, or anything of the sort.
I am a far cry from where I was just 5 years ago in my life, my stability, and my career.
I was once one of THOSE people needing assistance.
Needing non-judgement and just a wee bit of empathy.
Perhaps that is where my passion comes from in helping others.
Perhaps that is why the credit union movement is so personal for me.
Who I am, where I have been, and where I currently stand is because someone not only saw me, but they helped me rise.
Let’s make no mistake, if you are a credit union and you use this statement you are most certainly not operating like one.
Anyone can wear a mask and hide behind a pretty set of foundation statements.
BUT
It takes real gusto and moxie to live them out loud.
At times we live in a world where doing good becomes a battle.
Sometimes you must gear up to battle for good.
Credit unions were BORN to do just that.
Is your credit union writing the hero story of good?
Are you proud of your chapter thus far?
Stand up, step up, and be an advocate for not only “THOSE” people, but all.
People over profit, remember?
Humans first, remember?
People helping people, remember?
Suit up squad, we’ve still got some good to do!
