CUNA GAC: Celebrity Sightings One, Two, and Three
Posted by Shari Storm on February 27th, 2007
Celebrity One
Washington Governor, Christine Gregoire, was on our flight to DC on Friday. At baggage claim, I asked for a photo. She was very gracious.
The Washington and Oregon GAC participants are all staying at the St. Gregory Hotel. The conference is held at the Hilton Washington, but there are so many participants that rooms at the Hilton fill up within hours of the conference being announced.
Celebrity Two
There are over 4,000 credit union supporters here. This is the biggest credit union gathering in the world. Speakers at the event include: Allan McMorris, Dan Mica, Brit Hume, JoAnn Johnson, Steven Preston, Rodney Hood, Martin Sheen, Senator Joe Lieberman, Representative Roy Blunt, Representative Rob Bishop, Representative Paul Kanjorski, Representative Steny Hoyer, Representative James Clyburn, Anna Escobedo Cabral, Representative Spencer Bachus, Gigi Hyland, James Carville and Mary Matalin.
It’s a bit overwhelming.
When you walk into our hotel, you are greeted by none other than Marilyn Monroe. I also asked her for a photo.
Celebrity Three
On Sunday night, we attended the 19th Annual Herb Wegner Memorial Awards Dinner. It was an amazing showcase of the best of our industry.
Carol Schillios, President / Founder of the Fabric of Life Foundation won the Individual Achievement Award for the work she has been doing in changing the lives of women and their families in Mali, Senegal, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.
Prospera Credit Union was the Outstanding Program Award for the program they developed that puts reasonably priced pay day lending centers in Goodwill stores.
Lastly, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Barry Jolette, President and CEO of San Mateo Credit Union, whose list of accomplishments are far too long to list in this post.
Watching the video documentary on the three recipients was both humbling and motivating. I was amazed by the tremendous things they have been able to accomplish. It made me proud of my profession and my industry. It also made me want to return to Seattle and do more.
Shari,
Thanks so much for posting the highlights for all of us that weren’t able to attend this year.
Carol is so deserving as are Barry and Prospera. You’re right—we need to do more!
See you when you get back.
D.
Hello everyone.
I’m writing from Bamako, Mali, West Africa. I left the DC GAC and headed straight to West Africa to work at our training center here in Mali.
What a culture shock it was. From celebrating with champagne back to the realities of poverty that shouldn’t be so!
There’s a link out on YouTube of the video the NCUF made of our training center if you want to know more about the project: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tQYQKnmS4
I’m looking forward to working on the podcast from here in Africa with help from Denise Wymore and Trabian.
Carol Schillios