Racing in the Rain
I recently read the popular novel The Art of Racing in the Rain written by Garth Stein. It’s not a new book, but someone recommended it to me, and it felt good to read something set in the City of Seattle, my home of two years now. I connected to the description of I-90 floating over Lake Washington and local specifics such as the Medgar Evers Pool in the Central District.
This blog does not contain any spoilers for the book, if you’re considering reading it. You’re safe to keep reading.
While I enjoyed the book’s setting, the book’s central theme challenged me to think deeply about how our credit union operates. How do we handle disruption while staying focused and in the moment? The book proposes that a successful race in bad weather lies in the junction of two actions: preparation and being present in the moment.
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What does this have to do with Express Credit Union? Well, the last two years have certainly been rainy. Most of our members have incomes below 80% of the area’s median income, and inflation and a weakening employment environment have led to financial stress. In addition, over 20% of our members are immigrants, and we have seen growing concern and uncertainty about the future. This season challenges us.
However, like the book’s protagonist, Express is prepared.
We have experience dealing with funding crunches and finding flexible ways to serve members who need it most. Moreover, we will not stop practicing, learning, and expanding our ability to meet our members. We will find success for our members by living in the reality of the moment, putting what we have learned into practice, and, despite a little slipping and sliding, making that turn that keeps us moving forward.
Sometimes, when the rain starts falling, we react by searching for an umbrella, staying still under an awning, and fearing the worst. My hope for Express Credit Union is that we do more than react. I hope we navigate through this rain with confidence, empowering our members to do the same.
About the author:
Helen Gibson is CEO of Express Credit Union, a local, not-for-profit credit union built to keep more money in the pockets of Washington’s hard-working people, regardless of their income, immigration status, or history with traditional banking. Learn more at www.expresscu.org.
