In the fall of 1984, 16 acquaintances from Illinois decided they deserved a break from their hard work with a golf trip to Biloxi, Miss. The group departed on their excursion on March 8, 1985 in two motor homes. The 16 consisted of 11 credit union CEOs, an advertising salesman, the owner of a marketing firm, a board chairman, a retired ICUL Service Corp. vice president, and a vice president from our corporate credit union. What transpired from the first trip was amazing. During that week, a network of friendship, cooperation and mutual respect was established that grew into something special. Since then, more than 60 people have participated in one or more of the trips, with no fewer than 16 participants or more than 24 in a given year. Due to the fact that the first 12 excursions were to Biloxi, Miss., those who attended are known as the "Biloxi Boys."
2009 will mark the 25th year of making this journey. These trips have never been solely about the game of golf, even though they revolve around the game. Credit union issues are discussed and debated regularly. Discussion with regard to credit union philosophy can really get lively at the "19th Hole."
The ultimate benefit of these trips has been the bonds that they created. Over the years this network of friends has worked, collaborated and striven to make their credit unions and the entire credit union system successful with their mutual support. This group is truly unique and a shining example of "People Helping People."
Jack Teausant is president of Financial Plus Credit Union in Ottawa, Ill.
Personal Recollections of CUs: A CU Journal Series
To mark the 100th Anniversary of Credit Unions, Credit Union Journal is publishing "100 voices" answering, "The one personal anecdote from my credit union career that comes to my mind and which sums up what credit unions are all about is..." Wish to share your story?
E-mail fdiekmann@cujournal.com. Limit is 400 words.
