Lot of talk lately about the demise of volunteers in the Credit Union Movement. As they say, talk is cheap.
Wanted to tell you about one of our volunteers, Howard Petrea. Mr. Petrea taught mathematics for almost forty years at N. C. State University in Raleigh. He was husband, father, veteran, patriot, championship bridge player, raconteur, scholar, beach comber, church-goer, citizen, teacher, volunteer - and much, much more. Howard Petrea was a child of the Depression and according to his daughter, Brenda, never borrowed to buy anything in his life. He served on our Credit Union Credit Committee - with wisdom and compassion - for nearly two decades. Thought you'd like to know this about him, too:
Some people, in the way they conduct their personal lives, set standards for the rest of us. These are the folks we admire and respect; the folks we strive to emulate; the folks we "look up to."
This type of individual seems to view life a little differently than the rest of us. They're understanding and patient when we fail. They share our excitement when we succeed. To them problems are opportunities. To them a glass is never half-empty, it's always half-full. They reach out; they lift up; they can always laugh; they truly care. These folks give - and then they give some more.
Interestingly, most of these folks don't seem to notice how much they affect the rest of us. Maybe it's because they are genuinely humble; maybe it's because they're too busy helping others; maybe it's because we never tell them.
Howard Petrea was that kind of human being. His life was a remarkable legacy of vitality and concern for his fellow man. Howard Petrea gave me one last lesson, one last gift at his funeral. He had asked that his favorite verse be read. I had read it before and had heard the verse a thousand times. But, this was different. Howard Petrea was telling me to listen and when he told you to listen, you listened. And at the end of his life, true to his calling, always a teacher, he left me - and you - with one last important lesson:
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Through that verse he reminded us of what he believed and exactly who he was. Through that verse he reminded us what the Credit Union he supported so loyally should be - and should do; and through that verse he reminded each of us...
I can't thank Howard Petrea any longer for all he contributed to the Credit Union and his coworkers over the years. Those efforts, that firm support were more than important - he made a true difference in our lives.
Howard Petrea meant a lot to all of us. We knew that. I hope he knew that. Because we sure loved him.
Those who claim that volunteers are now a problem, a liability, and no longer understand the credit union movement are simply out of touch with reality. Howard Petrea would have told me to love those folks anyway. I guess I do, but it sure "don't come easy"!
Don't worry, credit union volunteers are doing just great. It's the "amateurs" who are going to ruin us!
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