Life Through A Lens

I recently came across my old camcorder and video cassettes from the 90’s. There were videos of family (with some long passed), vacations, sports, birthdays and so on. As I watched hours and hours of footage over several days, I couldn’t help but wonder how present I was in all that time. Sure, I was capturing the moment, but was I in that moment experiencing the joy and wonder around me?

At the time you think you’re documenting something for posterity, something you’ll look at over and over to relive the experience, but do you? Do the emotions you feel as you rewatch moments of your life and life around you compare to what you felt, or could have felt, as things happened? I pondered this question and wondered if so much time living life through a lens was worth the recordings that have gathered dust for 30 years over what I may have missed if I was more invested in the moments that will never come again.

Today, like everyone else, I have a smart phone. Gone is the camcorder replaced by the ability to take a picture, record a moment and share it immediately with the world if so inclined.

The equipment has changed, but the danger, because of the ease and immediacy, is greater. I, unlike so many that are glued to their screen who can’t seem to experience anything without full documentation, have the benefit of hindsight from a different time. I now know how to snap a quick pic or record a 10 second guitar riff, versus record for an hour only occasionally looking up. I have learned that seeing it with my eyes, experiencing it, and remembering it, is more fulfilling and long lasting because if I do that then when viewed years from now, a single picture or brief clip will bring back that moment in a more meaningful way versus watching a long recording where you can hear your son in the background calling your name repeatedly and saying “watch me dad”.

At Freedom, we often talk about what’s truly important – family, community, meaningful connections and partnerships. So, no matter what you’re doing, revel in your time with others, share moments that matter, and if you choose to memorialize them remember, less is more. Don’t let your experiences be dependent on what or how much you can see or capture through a lens. The best memories aren’t the ones we record; they’re the ones we feel.

‘Twas Just Before Christmas

‘Twas just before Christmas and oh what a year
With changes a plenty, we move forward without fear;
The mission was set for a new beginning to start
And a time for each of us to play an important part.

The staff were all nestled tight in their chairs,
With goals to be met hanging high in the air;
And me in my office with bright Christmas tie,
Had just settled in knowing year end was nigh,

When out in the branch there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Out through the door and to the railing I took
Then I leaned way over to get a good look.

The lights in the lobby and those on the tree
Gave a glow to the people and to all I could see,
When what, in amazement, should I finally spot,
But a sleigh and some reindeer out in the lot,

And a little old man running up to a teller,
That I just knew was dear Santa that jolly fat fella.
Faster than a cheetah to the line he did scurry,
And he appeared to be in a terrible hurry.

“Please help me, oh help me!” I heard him yell out
”I need some assistance,” he continued to shout.
“I’m short on supplies and my cash is depleted”
“I don’t know what to do and I’m feeling defeated.”

As I heard his plea I knew just what to do
But before I could blink into action staff flew.
To an FSR station he was gently escorted,
And a loan application taken so his problems be thwarted.

Then, in a twinkling, lending staff took the lead
And approved an amount that met all of his needs.
He was also provided other services like access online,
That made his life simpler and gave peace of mind.

His eyes started twinkling, his laugh grew quite merry
His cheeks got all rosy and his nose like a cherry;
He jumped to his feet and starting dancing around
And he ran through the branch with a leap and a bound.

“You’ve saved Christmas”, he shouted, “and not just for me,”
“But for everyone everywhere, just wait and you’ll see.”
I can restock supplies that have been so diminished
So the elves can be paid and the toys all get finished.

“But well beyond that, what means most to me,
Is you treated me with kindness, the way I wanted to be.
You asked about my needs and gave me just what was right
To ensure the success of my Christmas time flight.”

“It’s not always what you say or what it is that you do,
But the way you make a person feel that really shines through.”
He thanked everyone and rushed out to his sleigh
And said one more thing as he went on his way.

“Remember”, he bellowed, “it’s the experience folks remember”
“Don’t limit that to today or the month of December”.
Then we heard him exclaim, as he went out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.”

Special Announcement from Freedom’s President and CEO

August 28, 2024

Dear Freedom Members,

Back in March of this year, I announced to you some very exciting news about our intention to merge Atlantic Financial Federal Credit Union (AFFCU) into Freedom Federal Credit Union.

Since then, a lot has been going on behind the scenes in support of the merger. I would like to update you now on one of those initiatives.

One of the first steps in the merger process was to ensure the field of membership (FOM) charters for both AFFCU and Freedom FCU matched identically. As a result, in May, we formally requested and applied to our governing body, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) to expand our FOM to include Baltimore City and Carroll County, in addition to our existing charter which includes Harford County and Baltimore County.

I am pleased to inform you that the NCUA has approved the FOM expansion request. Your Board of Directors have also unanimously approved and ratified the new field of membership charter.

Effective immediately, in addition to Baltimore County and Harford County, Freedom FCU membership is now open to businesses and individuals who live, work, worship, volunteer, attend school, or have family in Baltimore City and Carroll County.

With NCUA’s approval, as well as Freedom Board of Directors’ approval, we can now provide “The Freedom Advantage”, our unique credit union service offering, to the greater Baltimore City and Carroll County communities.

Why is this Important?

The new Field of Membership (FOM) Charter enables us to serve a broader range of individuals and businesses, particularly those who have been underserved by other financial institutions. With Freedom’s comprehensive financial products, services, and accessible technology, we can now better meet their needs and help them thrive.
With the ability to reach more individuals and businesses, we can make a larger, more positive impact on the financial well-being of the communities we serve.
By expanding our reach, this is an opportunity for Freedom to help more people achieve their financial goals, and in turn, help us reach our strategic and growth goals.

Why did Freedom want to expand its Field of Membership?

Making Freedom membership available to all those who live, work, worship, volunteer, attend school, or have family in Baltimore City and Carroll County is part of Freedom’s long-term strategic growth plan.

Over the years, many businesses and individuals from these areas have expressed a strong interest in partnering with Freedom and becoming members. We are confident that Freedom is exactly the kind of financial institution that Baltimore City and Carroll County have been asking for and need.

How does this benefit current Freedom members?

Because credit unions are financial cooperatives, the health and strength of the organization is dependent on the membership being engaged and utilizing its products and services. The more members that are an active part of Freedom and that use our products and services, the better the ability we have to offer lower cost loan options, higher deposit rates, less fees, better technology and access, and more community support.

Our expansion into Baltimore City and Carroll County will allow Freedom to provide our unique financial product and service offerings to more consumers and provide a much-needed financial alternative to the big banks. In doing so, we will be able to increase our membership, and the ability to serve all our members, and our shared communities better.

Freedom has been a strong financial partner to our members for 71 years, and we look forward to being an even better partner with this new FOM Charter.

We will continue to share information and details about this exciting new chapter for Freedom and its membership, and where we go from here.

I ask that if you have family, friends, or coworkers who live, work, study, volunteer, worship or have family in Baltimore City or Carroll County, please help us spread the news of who we are and share with them your experience with Freedom. We can’t wait to meet them!

Thank you all for your ongoing trust and confidence in Freedom Federal Credit Union.

Sincerely,

Michael MacPherson
President and CEO
Freedom Federal Credit Union