Helping Old Friends Make News As Fastest Growing Small CU in US

Melina and I were no sooner off the plane from unveiling the American Debt Relief Challenge in DC and settled into hugs with Jason (her hubby), Luke and Dylan, than we were back on the trail instigating goodness.

We put on a press conference for an old friend yesterday. The credit union is simply remarkable, one of the fastest growing small credit unions in the nation- because it is focused on really helping hard working families. The video is only one minute long if you can suffer through the 10 second nursing home commercial that leads into it. The press conference was a big hit: ABC, NBC, and CBS affiliates showed up, two newspapers and three radio stations. It was great to depart for home knowing that we helped people and that we'd finally get to stay home with the boys after far too many nights away.


(Deleted for noise annoyance. :)

Time to go home- but not before we leave the world a little better than how we found it.

Today was one of the ten BEST days of my life. It doesn't come close to comparing to the day Dylan was born or the day I realized that I deeply love and admire my mother, but it was amazing. Now my feet hurt, I miss my son and I'm ready to come home from DC.

On the eve of leaving DC, I'm both inspired and filled with inner peace knowing that my dearest friends and collaborators on the American Debt Relief Challenge are truly leaving the world just a little better than we found it earlier this week. I am grateful for the grace that brought four of the most brilliant and talented people I've ever met together to save American families over $300 million.
Just when we nominated former NASA employee and credit union technology guru Jason Green as our supremo team genius, Bob Manning PhD, author of Credit Card Nation and inventor of the Responsible Debt Relief Algorithm joined our co-operative group. This photo was taken at our contract signing with Dr. Manning at the esteemed Aspen Institute.


The joy I feel is even more pronounced in sharing it with my dearest friend and business partner, Melina Young. If ever, I made even the slightest of intelligent decisions it was in discussing full partnership with Melina. To see her in action, pulling national partnerships together was a sight of confidence, truth and beauty. The success of the collective is so equally contributed to, that the lines of credit blur at the edges of each collaborators profound skills and contributions. This includes the contributions of her amazing husband Jason Young.

To think the American Debt Relief Challenge started over a 4 hour philosophical coffee with Scott Butterfield, ADR co-founder. He simply shared how he saved the average family $200 a month by transferring their high interest credit card debt out of a mega bank credit card (28% APR) into a not-for profit credit union (9% APR). He is my hero.

And our extended team and friends at Currency Marketing, the leading credit union advertising agency in North America and first agency to submit marketing campaigns to ADR have been in our hearts and minds all week. Thousands of people saw and loved your work. The big hit "It's ok to ask for help."

Team accomplishments in DC:

*ADR praised in speech by presidential appointee to audience of 4,000+ people.

*ADR signs partnership contract with Bob Manning PhD, author of Credit Card Nation and regular guest on NPR and CNN.

*ADR gains official national trade press media sponsor, The Credit Union Journal.

*ADR invited to many states to speak at conventions.

*ADR loves and thanks Filene Research Institute for cultivating innovation in our most worthy movement.

*ADR off and running in the challenge to save consumers $300 million.

Happy Birthday Uncle Jon

Wishing you the happiest 29th birthday because you are the best uncle and brother in the entire universe! We love you Jon George! Jamie and Dylan

Something big is going down

Some people far more talented than myself and I are working on an inspiring project. More details to come soon.
Also, my new business website is up and live!

www.CreditUnionStrategicPlaning.com

Bad Santa's Festival of the Last Minute

How's this for a fantastic idea: My friend Melina is buying holiday gifts from indie stores and regional artists, giving the business card with the gift. Love the gift- buy more, support the local entrepreneur and economy.

Dylan and I took this idea to Portland last weekend. We needed a little family love, so we went to see his Granpa Jim and Grandma Mary. (I'm grateful that they still consider me a daughter, even though Brian and I were divorced earlier this year.) Weekend treasures included Mary's gourmet cooking, Jim's always inspiring conversation and the wacky goodness of the Portland artist's market. As part of our visit we went to the Festival of the Last Minute.





















My favorite artist was Matt Hellner. I bought one of his Layered Shadow Boxes for my brother's girlfriend, Jess.

But it was the outrageous Bad Santas and a crazy merchant dressed as a bear that made our family gawk and laugh.


Of course, I encouraged Bear Man to chase Dylan.