NEW ORLEANS -
That was the question posed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to residents of New Orleans, a city specifically selected as the backdrop for the National Federation of Community Development Credit Union's 33rd Annual Serving the Underserved Conference here. That also was the theme of the conference, attended by more than 300 credit union participants, many of whom visited the city's still-damaged Ninth Ward and other areas in a special pre-conference tour (see photos, page 32). Throughout the conference, attendees were challenged through educational sessions to have the faith and gain the knowledge to strengthen their services to members.
"We felt we had to meet here to show solidarity with the people of this city who are still fighting against such enormous odds," explained Clifford Rosenthal, NFCDCU's executive director, to a plenary session/luncheon audience. "How could we not?"
Although conferees met mostly at the Omni Royal Hotel, historic St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square served as the opening ceremonies backdrop for the Faith-based Credit Union Conference, which convened Thursday as part of NFCDCU's combined event, one that also included the Youth Credit Union Program Conference. The setting, appropriate for the religious-based credit union gathering, echoed the theme of faith as it relates to rebuilding the city after Hurricane Katrina and in continuing to strengthen the communities that conference attendees serve.
"Look around you and ask yourself, 'How do they survive living in trailers and with many families still living apart?'" asked Ronnie Lacabe, manager of New Orleans-based $3.4-million Claver CU and one of the welcoming speakers. "You do it because of your faith."
The conference's theme, "The Faith to Rebuild," echoed throughout the faith-based event's opening remarks. The Rev. Dr. DeForest Soaries Jr., member of Renaissance Community Development Credit Union in Somerset, N.J., encapsulated the group's message in his keynote address.
"If all we do this week is gather in New Orleans to figure out how to be little bitty banks, then we have misused our heritage," Soaries said. "I believe credit unions were set up to break the bonds of economic slavery and help their people."
Subsequent sessions and workshops focused on providing faith-based credit unions tips and techniques to better manage operations and serve members. Some challenges are unique, speakers noted, while others are universal and shared by all credit unions.
"Serving the Underserved," which formally kicked off at the close of the Faith-based Credit Union Conference, included sessions focusing on community development, outreach to immigrant populations, and making home ownership affordable to all members. The latter theme was echoed in keynote speaker and NCUA Vice Chairman Rodney Hood's remarks, which noted that June was National Homeownership Month. Hood congratulated participants for making it possible for people of modest means to become part of the American dream, both in New Orleans and elsewhere.
"This city is continuing to rebuild, and that has a lot to do with the role you play in helping make that happen," Hood said. "You don't look at home ownership as transactions, but as member relationships. It's important that you all know that your work matters."
