2019 Holiday Poem

‘Twas the holiday season, two zero one nine

And the year has been good, we’re all feeling fine.

There’s been a lot of good stuff and mostly success

Though there was, to be sure, the occasional stress.

So we all at Freedom just keep rolling along

Serving our community, making sure we stay strong.

And I my office with scented candles all glowing

Was thinking of ways for us to keep growing.

When out in the lobby I heard a sounded like crying

I jumped from my chair and out my door I went flying.

I raced down the hall then swiftly downstairs

In order to see what caused the commotion down there.

And what, to my shock, did come into sight

But a man all in red, his face pale with fright.

His clothes were all tattered and wet from the snow

I could tell it was Santa despite his voice full of woe.

I asked what was wrong, what brought him to this state.

He said, “My reindeer won’t fly right. Christmas could be late.

You see I think something went wrong with their magical feed.

Now they only fly backwards or upside down at odd speed.”

“It seems the elves special eggnog got into their hay

Now nothing I do will keep them from going astray.

I’ve talked to the vet who has some sure fix medication,

But the ingredients are expensive for such a libation.”

“The kind of money it requires is quite monumental

And insurance won’t cover something so experimental.

Sure, I could travel by truck, train and plane

But the logistics of that would be simply insane.”

“Besides, there’s an expectation of sleigh bells and my reputation

Not having my reindeer would create too much frustration.”

I said, “Santa, don’t worry. You’ve come to the right place.

“Our Anything Loan will do the trick and help you save face.”

“We can get you the funds for this and anything you please

With the very best of terms that will put your mind at ease.

“But Santa”, I said, “the money in question might not be needed

For there’s some advice I can give that should really be heeded.”

I said, “While it may not have been reindeer with the ability to fly

I’ve seen similar experiences that just might apply.

People that were afflicted in much the same way

When the special eggnog came out around the holiday.”

I know of an old remedy that should do the trick

So, I started concocting a potion for dear old St Nick.

A pinch of this, a dash of that and Pepto a plenty,

A little hair of the dog to help it go down more gently.

Santa sighed with relief knowing everything would be fine

His status intact and reindeer good as new just in time.

He said, “I can’t thank you enough for your help and understanding

For patiently listening and my problem comprehending.”

“Whether it was help with a loan or the right piece of advice

I knew Freedom was the place to provide all that would suffice.”

You came through like always as you do for all your members

And showed Freedom doesn’t think of me as just a number.”

Once all the reindeer were cured and he was ready to fly

Santa boarded his sleigh with a tear in his eye.

I thought he was crying, but soon realized I was wrong.

Because I forgot about the side effects that could be quite strong.

Before he took off, he wrapped his scarf ‘round his face tight

And looked at me wryly as he started on his flight.

He said, “I am happy, it’s true, there’s no need to assume

But you could have warned me about these horrible fumes.”

We both laughed out loud and my shoulders I shrugged

But I guess this is what happens when reindeer get drugged.

Then I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight

“Happy Christmas…WHEW!…to all and…GEEZ PRANCER!..to all a…AWWW C’MON!!!!!!…good night!

Mike MacPherson
President and CEO
Freedom Federal Credit Union

What’s in a Name?

I remember growing up and my father telling me, “the two most important things you have are your name and your word”. Both are shaped by experience, your actions or reactions, how you present yourself, what you do for others and how you handle adverse situations. These things build your reputation. They can open or close doors to your future and they can set you on a path for success or failure. From time to time you will experience setbacks, you will be doubted, people will try to damage that reputation or tarnish your name, but the good works you do, the kindness you show, can ultimately overshadow the cynicism and strengthen the integrity associated with your name, making your word more meaningful and trusted. So too is it with an organization like Freedom.

We are an organization whose name and reputation starts with people helping people and is expanded upon by creating positive member experiences, serving the community, and caring for its employees. Despite our best efforts, mistakes will happen, bad experiences will occur, but our name and our word will make all that pale in comparison. Some will want to hold a grudge, feed off negativity, or continue to point out missteps. Those are, more often than not, the people who don’t really know us. No matter what comes our way, we cannot, and will not, lose sight of the good we do, the good people we employ or the community and members we take great pride in serving. Of course, we will take criticism, we will look for ways to improve, we will always listen to our members and strive to be better when the opportunity presents itself. This is how we will continue to build a strong reputation and a trusted name.

Our name will continue to earn the trust of our members and our community by holding to the values we established over 66 years. Our name will be built by living up to our vision and mission statements. Our name will be synonymous with respect, compassion, service, integrity, trust, safety. Our name will reflect all of the good and dedicated people that help and serve. Our name is FREEDOM.

Mike MacPherson
President and CEO
Freedom Federal Credit Union

Your Story Starts with Freedom

I want to tell you and, in turn, have you tell others, just how amazing it is to be part of Freedom. The numbers show we’re part of a strong financial institution headed in the right direction, but the thing everyone needs to know is that Freedom is living the credit union philosophy. We realize providing access to the financial products and services people need or want is essential; we realize providing those products and services at the most reasonable rates and fees is an obligation; and we realize ensuring convenient access with branches, over the phone or through online and mobile banking is a priority. Beyond that, however, is that our commitment to people helping people; to fair and honest transactions, to integrity and trustworthiness, and a pledge to do what is right by our employees, our members and our community is the true lifeblood of Freedom. When we put people first, Freedom thrives. Our strategic focus of member and employee experience has helped drive the financial strength of Freedom.

When we promote Freedom we use words like trust, partner, member-first financial solutions and others like them, to share our story because one of our biggest challenges is awareness. Despite all the marketing, commercials, community involvement, word of mouth, people still don’t understand the Freedom difference, the benefit of banking at Freedom. They don’t know that we do mortgage or commercial lending, they don’t realize we have the same technologies and accessibility as a large national bank. They don’t realize that too big to fail often means too big to care for people as individuals, to hear their story and do the best to help them achieve their goals. When I think about this, I remember that Mr. Rogers quote I sent before about the helpers which I think applies here. There are a lot of scary things; people focused on me rather than we and financial institutions or businesses putting self-interest before people’s well-being. That’s why at Freedom, we strive to be one of the helpers. We make it our mission to help by providing quality, affordable, cutting edge services and products for our members and being a partner in the community. Whether its planning for retirement, setting a budget, buying a first home or new car, helping with medical or education expenses, taking a well-deserved vacation, or supporting a myriad of philanthropic and charitable endeavors to make our community better and improve the lives of our neighbors, the theme of the annual meeting “Your story starts with Freedom” says it best.

Carry that message from here, because when you share your experience, and as more members join and benefit from all we have to offer, the more we can and will continue to evolve, thrive and grow. Just as our members’ story starts with Freedom, our story endures because of them.