Trip to Turkey!

I'm honored to share that the Acacia Foundation invited me on behalf of my firm Credit Union Strategic Planning to participate in a cultural trip to Turkey to develop mutual understanding between Turkish and American people. I am deeply moved to visit my second predominantly muslim, democracy to study their economy, culture, history and of course the presence of cooperatives and credit unions.


I learned much during my 2006 trip to Mali, West Africa. It too is a predominantly Muslim nation with a thriving democracy. The role of cooperatives and credit unions there, inspired much of my community development credit union work during the last three years.


We depart for Turkey next month! My passport is ready. 

Saving Ohio

This blog is written as a tool for you to use to help Ohio. Please copy, paste and repost on your blog and into emails to your friends and family to help save a historic village and jobs in Ohio.

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My name is Jamie and I love Ohio, my grandma and a little historic village named Zoar. Grandma Jeanne raised me to build community by volunteering. We even made apple butter and spun wool together in the village garden. Right now she and everyone else back home is trapped, flooded in their homes.

Please help me to raise $250,000 to save Zoar's historic buildings. It is a beautiful place that looks like a Norman Rockwell painting. Unfortunately the walls are cracking and the flooded buildings are caving.

http://www. timesreporter. com/opinion/x1670185857

Beyond the first greenhouse in Ohio, amazing architecture and the history of co-ops (like REI and credit unions) in Zoar, these buildings have significant impact on Ohio tourism. Ohio needs every job and the HOPE of future jobs. Tourism funds jobs that can’t be outsourced to another country, continent or planet.

When I visited villages in Africa, I saw first hand jobs created, when tourism brings outside dollars in and how it empowers communities. If you have even one friend living in Ohio, please send $1 to help this town.

Even though I’m a single mom, I am sending $100 to the Zoar Society. Please join me. For every $100 that is sent, I’ll work hard to find $100 to match it.

Here's how you can you help now:

1.) For matching funds, email me your pledge: jamiejchase@mac.com

2.) Mail your check to:

Zoar Village
198 Main Street
P.O. Box 404
Zoar, OH 44697

3.) Please also send an email to Ohio Senator Ron Amstutz at
SD22@mailr.sen.state.oh.us

Ask him to join you in saving Zoar and to sponsor legislation that creates jobs by funding tourism promotions and historic preservation. Funding this is a strategic investment being made by and producing returns by states from West Virginia to Nevada and even in Mali, West Africa. Ohio, get jiggy with it! These buildings of the past, also represent your future.

Thank you already for helping me to repay the lessons that my grandmother taught me, not only do we build our communities, but together we keep them strong.

With Hometown Love,

Jamie Chase (Graef)
www.jamiechase.blogspot.com