The Power of the Rogue Co-ops

I regularly write about the credit union difference and how Rogue Federal is a not-for-profit cooperative financial institution. Rogue Federal is rooted in the cooperative ideals of self-help and caring for our community. In 2012, cooperatives from around the world are joining together to celebrate the International Year of Cooperatives. The Ashland Food Co-op, Grange Co-op, Medford Food Co-op, and Rogue Federal Credit Union have formed a unique coalition of cooperatives, Rogue Co-ops. We are poised and ready to celebrate the theme "Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World," and focus on the concept of cooperatives putting people first, innovating to meet member's needs, and providing local service while being part of a global network.

Together our cooperatives employ nearly 600 people in Southern Oregon and Northern California and serve nearly 90,000 members. Combined, your Rogue Co-ops donated nearly a quarter of a million dollars to a variety of community service organizations, charities, and events in our community in 2011. This is a powerful group led by volunteer boards that live and work in our community and are truly invested in making Southern Oregon a better place to live.

Cooperative enterprises really do build a better world and we are proud to celebrate them over the coming year. By joining together, Rogue Co-ops are supporting a business model that promotes the fullest possible participation in the economic and social development of all our local communities. Darren Davidson, Director of Retail Operations of Grange Co-op, recently stated that, “Grange Co-op, and our local cooperative friends, provides a cooperative alternative, for rural and urban folds, when doing business locally in Southern Oregon!” Cooperatives are a major factor in economic and social development around the world and contribute to the eradication of poverty. The great thing about being a member of your local Co-op is that you are an owner. You have a say in who runs the organization and the opportunity to serve as a volunteer leader. Cooperatives are “conceived, built, owned, and operated by the community for the community”, says Emile Amarotico, General Manager of the Medford Food Co-op. When you become a member and patronize your local Co-op you take an important step in creating a sustainable Southern Oregon economy.

Please join us in celebrating the International Year of Cooperatives by joining one of our local Co-ops today… heck join all four of them and make Southern Oregon even stronger! I want to leave you with this thought from the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, as we celebrate the bright future for cooperative enterprises…

“Co-operatives are a reminder to the international (and local) community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility.”

Back to the Basics - Share, Save, and Spend Smart Too!

It is that time of year when everyone is setting New Year's resolutions, goals for the coming year, or fondly dreaming of a new beginning. As I was looking at all of the financial resources available that I could share with you, I realized that during this time of increasing hope for a brighter tomorrow there is no better time to get "Back to the Basics." So, that’s what I’m going to do, drawing on the mantra heard throughout our credit union which is to "Share, Save, and Spend Smart Too!" This is so basic it is the foundation of our kid's club “The Money Mammals." There is no better time to start with a solid foundation than today. So, let's talk about what "Share, Save, and Spend Smart Too!" means to all of us.

The Gift of Presence

One of the opportunities that the financial crisis has afforded us is to truly consider what is important to us. I recently had the opportunity to attend a training session for credit union staff members in Grants Pass. The training session was conducted by the Josephine County Consumer Credit Counseling Service and focused on Holiday Spending tips to help folks create an affordable gift giving plan. Their ideas revolved around making a plan and sticking to it. Once the folks shared their suggestions they asked the audience to provide some ideas on how to make holiday gift giving less about the money and more about getting back to the basics of the thoughtfulness of giving.

Make sure that what you ask for is what you really want!!

I recently spent two days in Washington DC working to advocate for reasonable regulatory oversight and protect the rights of credit unions so we can continue to offer our members Business Loans. I am still amazed at how accessible our elected officials are in light of the difficult and challenging times they face in leading our nation. However, I also am saddened by the lack of progress on key issues that will create jobs and expedite the nation's recovery.