While cleaning out the Reporter's Notebook:

SAN DIEGO-Be among the first 85 people to register for Credit Union Journal's Grow Show, and you'll have the opportunity to hear some Blue Ocean strategies-literally. Get leadership insights from Capt. Mike Manazir, commanding officer of the USS Nimitz, the largest warship in the world.

WASHINGTON-The CU Cherry Blossom Run drew record crowds April 5-with some reports putting the number of runners at close to 15,000-raising about $1 million for the Children's Miracle Network.

ATLANTA-A number of experts have said that banks pulling back on commercial lending has opened up a window of opportunity for credit unions-now one expert is offering strategies for leveraging that opportunity.

SEATTLE-One credit union plans to share how it turned $3,000 into millions in national media for its Seven Principles brand and the CU industry.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.-Credit Union Journal has entered into a partnership with the American Debt Relief Challenge, a credit union-backed effort to save at least 37,400 cosumers more than $300 million. For details, www.adrchallenge.com.

Funds Being Raised For Slain Officers' Families

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — There was growing consensus last week that whatever the future might hold for corporate credit unions, there will be fewer of them.

OREM, Utah – A computer consultant working for First Family CU was charged yesterday with using passwords he was given by the credit union to steal $1 million from member accounts.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Three men arrested last week in an armored car hold-up of more than $160,000, were charged with two similar heists, including last year’s robbery of $120,000 from a cash carrier replenishing ATMs at a Navy FCU branch.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A prolific bank robber known by his tattooed arms, was arrested this week following a failed hold-up just north of the city, according to police.

TACOMA, Wash. – More than 1,200 fourth-graders in 17 elementary schools in Tacoma received 18-inch evergreen seedlings for planting, courtesy of MilePost CU, in conjunction with this year’s Arbor Day.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Allegacy FCU said its Allegacy Services CUSO has acquired Estate and Business Insurance Services, a provider of health and dental insurance to about 200 companies.

ODESSA, Texas – Southwest 66 CU celebrated its 60th anniversary by awarding two members with ‘Loan Forgiveness’ awards.

McLEAN, Va. – Home loan rates, which have plunged to historic lows in recent weeks, climbed this week, according to Freddie Mac.

PHILADELPHIA – The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania announced the launch of a custom loan program yesterday with Digital FCU that will provide financial assistance from New England’s largest credit union to international MBA students.

VICTORVILLE, Calif. – The Members Own FCU, buried under $4 million of losses for 2008, said Wednesday it is searching for a merger partner.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – State regulator approved an application from The Golden 1 CU to acquire Steinbeck CU, the $50 million Salinas credit union that reported more than $800,000 of losses last year.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Members of WesCorp FCU, describing the devastating effect of last month’s failure of the corporate credit union giant, are petitioning NCUA for repayment of their lost capital.

LAS VEGAS – One good thing about a tough economy: it's not hard to keep up morale among employees who are just happy to be among the employed.As HR managers from around the country gathered to attend the CUNA Human Resources/Training & Development Council conference here, they told CU Journal that so far, the economic problems haven't hurt employee morale.“People are happy to work at our credit union as we have a steady environment,” said Niki Yarrington, HR manager for Westconsin CU, Menomonie, Wis. Indeed, being assured of continuing employment is helping to defray the hit to morale that usually occurs when merit raises are cut, as they recently were at VyStar CU, according to SVP-HR Bob Davis, who noted that the key was letting people know we are still okay. We did not do bonuses, but we educated employees to let them know it meant maintaining staff and being productive in servicing members.”DORT FCU in Flint, Mich., is a rarity in this time of job losses: Deana Turcott, director of HR, said her credit union is adding positions. For that reason and others, DORT is an island of hope in a manufacturing community that is experiencing devastating unemployment. “A lot of our employees have spouses who have lost their jobs,” she said. “We are trying to help them get through by offering workout loans and other hardship loans, including, unfortunately, loans on their pensions.”DeAnna Kann, vice president of HR for Financial Plus FCU, also in Flint, Mich., said it is important to keep employees’ attention on the potential of picking up market share from distressed competitors. “It is hard to keep focused on the positive when everything in the news is negative, but we can seize opportunities in this market. One area in particular is credit cards, as banks are increasing rates or are pulling cards altogether.”