Thank You Volunteers

Some people are fortunate enough to earn their livelihoods in jobs that directly help to create a more peaceful, just and sustainable world. But much of the efforts to make life better for our communities and our world are done by volunteers -- people who work for a better world without pay. Volunteers ARE creating a better world, one person and one act of kindness at a time. -- Robert Alan

This quote appropriately reflects the way Gulf Coast Educators FCU views the world. We know that our members who dedicate themselves to education are those people fortunate to earn their livelihoods by creating a better world. We know this because so many of the management team have spouses, siblings or children who have chosen to be educators. We all have personal stories of how our loved ones have touched lives and made the world a better place by being educators.

It is in the spirit of the above quote that Gulf Coast Educators FCU encourages employees to volunteer. Many of the credit union's staff do so on their own by volunteering outside of work through churches, PTAs, the red cross and special olympics to name a few. In addition, many of the employees volunteer on behalf of the credit union through programs such as HOSTS, sending speakers and presenters to schools, relays for life, food & toy drives and local education foundations. In fact, the credit union has active board volunteers on 7 area education foundations and works with several others in the area. During the Texas Invitational, a basketball tournament hosted by the Pasadena ISD Education Foundation, the credit union sends an army of employees to help make the tournament a success for all involved.

So we salute all of those fortunate enough to earn their livelihoods in jobs that directly help to create a more peaceful, just and sustainable world and the volunteers who work for a better world without pay. Keep up the great work and if you haven't discovered the joy of volunteering, let us know and we can help get you started.

Opportunities in Uncertain Times

Turn on the TV or radio and you'll hear all about how awful the economy is and how bad things are, not only here in this country, but all over the world. If you believed the media, It would seem that there is very little good news during this time of uncertainty.

There are, however, opportunities during these uncertain times. For example, now is a very good time to buy a new vehicle:

• GM is offering credit union members special supplier pricing along with current rebates. You will need to register with GM in order to qualify and you can do so at their special GM Credit Union website.
• Many of the car makers are adding 'Layoff Protection' and/or options to protect the value of the vehicle as an incentive to buy.
• The credit union has plenty of money to lend.

Home buyers will also find this an opportune market for them:

• First time home buyers may qualify for big tax credits.
• Mortgage rates are at historic lows.
• In some markets, housing prices have dropped by double digits.

There is also an opportunity for all of us to learn from this downturn and the impact it has on us.

• Savings by Americans has grown recently whereas before this downturn, the savings rate of Americans was negative.
• Learn to buy items and stocks on sale.
• Use this time to go back to school to learn new skills or certifications.

Keep an eye out for other opportunities that present themselves to you.