Skip to main content

Stuck in ORD

So - I'm on my way to the NFCDCU conference in New Orleans. I was asked to sit on a panel that is talking about emerging models in the community development credit union world. I'm looking forward to hearing and seeing more about other youth programs around the country.

My flight has been delayed two hours. A bunch have been cancelled, so we'll see what happens...

I should be working - I have a ton to do. BUT - I got up at 4:00 am and have the attention span of a flying bat right now - so I might as well blog. I've been somewhat sporadic in my postings, so now is a good time to catch you up on the last few weeks.

Random comment - There are two adorable little girls next to me, it's been fun talking to them. It seems like the whole airport is delayed.

Random comment - 4:05 departure...

Had a great time with Jeremy in New York a couple of weeks ago. Jeremy scored tickets for the Yankees / Red Sox game. Jeremy is a good guy. It's been good getting to know him over the past few years. I met Jeremy's brother Jonathan. So far all the DelRio's seem to be great folks.












My folks came up the day after I got back from NYC. Dad was working at a nuclear plant on the central coast. He was tired after working about 12 weeks straight. He took a much needed nap. Pastor Bains had Dad come up and say a few words from the pulpit. He's calls him his 'Italian Dad'.

So - we're getting closer to the credit union opening. The target date is August 8th. The next few weeks are nuts for me, starting with this trip to New Orleans. Next week we're hosting a breakfast to let folks know about the project and how they can get involved. I'm working hard to prepare a presentation for that meeting. Last Saturday we had a strategic planning retreat. It was a great day to look at where we've been and where we're going. Rob McClelend facilitated the meeting. I met with him yesterday and he gave me a bunch of homework (no wonder why he's a professor). I'll post more about that later. Then, on July 13th we have our golf tournament. Crazy times. I remarked to Melissa yesterday that this feels like the busiest time of our life, as least since we lived in Mexico.

Random Comment - met a cool young lady over a Cesar salad. We talked about purpose in life. Thanks for putting stuff into context, Rick Warren.

Maria Chavez, who will be the Senior Branch Manager of the credit union left her job at BCM and is now in training in Modesto for the CU opening. Before she left she threw a fun 'life change' party at her friend's house. Cindy Porras (Mora) and Greg Mora came. Maria, Cindy and Greg were in our youth group in Modesto. It was SUCH a blessing to see them, all grown up but thriving. They almost feel like 'our' kids. Melissa and Kim also took a turn at Karoke.




Kim - I have proof that you're not all 'COGIC'!!

Random thought - everyone is bored here.

Well - I better run, think they might be boarding soon. Time to stretch my legs a little.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

YWAMers Praised for Faith and Leadership

The Denver Post reports on the memorial service at the Denver YWAM base: "We're going to celebrate a life, we're not accentuating a death," said Faith Bible Chapel pastor George Morrison, in opening a memorial service today for two people killed at a missionary training school in Arvada . The service is called "A Celebration of Life for Tiffany and Philip." Philip Crouse and Tiffany Johnson died Sunday when a gunman opened fire at the school's dormitory. Youth With a Mission director Peter Warren said today both Crouse and Johnson embodied the spirit of the group. First the service focused on Crouse . "Phil gave his life to Jesus Christ and was never the same again," said Zach, a friend of Johnson's who met him years ago at a youth ministry in Alaska. At the time, Crouse was tough and wouldn't let people get close to him. "Over the years, Phil became a humble, teachable, sweet guy" who was able to reach kids with rough e...

Book: White Man's Burden - thoughts for Labor Day Weekend

I'm reading a fascinating book that has some of the same themes that run through Bob Lupton's recent writing. It's called 'White Man's Burden" by William Easterly. (I get the feeling some of you have read this already.) You can find it here. The title of the book is somewhat unfortunate, it's meant to be sarcastic. There are some amazing points here, stuff NCUD and others at CCDA have been talking about for years. I encourage you to check it out - here's a couple of great excepts from the first chapter: "But I and many other like-minded people keep trying, not to abandon aid to the poor, but to make sure it reaches them. Rich countries have to address the second tragedy if they are going to make any progress on the first tragedy. Otherwise, the current wave of enthusiasm for addressing world poverty will repeat the cycle of its predecessors: idealism, high expectations, disappointing results, cynical backlash." "Let’s call the advocates...

Big Gifts, Tax Breaks and a Debate on Charity

New York Times Article on the debate regarding the societal benefits of non profit donations. It's a somewhat rambling article, but my feeling is that this is a brewing debate. Eli Broad, a billionaire businessman, has given away more than $650 million over the last five years, to Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to establish a medical research institute, to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and to programs to improve the administration of urban schools and public education."What smart entrepreneurial philanthropists and their foundations do is get greater value for how they invest their money than if the government were doing it." "I got a plaque in the mail and an invitation to an awards ceremony. I never gave them another nickel. What were they spending money on plaques for?" The rich are giving more to charity than ever, but people like Mr. Broad are not the only ones footing the bill for such generosity. For every three dollars the...