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Whether you know it from Greek mythology or Harry Potter, the phoenix rising from the ashes is a powerful symbol. It recognizes strength and renewal following challenging times and hardship.
Looking ahead into 2021, the phoenix serves as an appropriate image for the year. For reasons you know and we share, 2020 was hard. The tragedy that occurred on January 6, 2021, with the violence and lost lives in our nation’s capitol, shows that we have more to overcome. Nonetheless, while you would have never asked for any of the events that transpired over the past 12 months to happen, we are stronger because of them.
Now we must ask ourselves, what are we going to do with that extra strength—those superpowers?
Together we are going to double down on advocacy with a legislative agenda and the support of elected officials that reflect our credit union philosophy and values. We are going to tell the credit union story every chance we get through our statewide awareness campaign, earned and social media, and in conversations with other leaders in Maine. We will reinforce that credit unions are there to create economic opportunity for every Mainer, in every community, regardless of background. We will help uplift others through financial education, addressing food insecurity, and our other community outreach efforts. We will come together, virtually and in-person when we can, to do more collaboratively than what is possible alone.
The to-do list is long, but I am confident that we have the superpowers needed to pull it off. We also are motivated because our work will help our members and Maine succeed. Their success is our success.
To end this message, I’ll leave you with a quote from Winston Churchill. “Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it.” I wish you a happy, healthy New Year and look forward to rising with you to face whatever challenges and opportunities that 2021 may bring.