MEMBER PROFILE

Maggie Stanley, Inklings and Imprints

I've had my own small business in the past - sewing and selling bags, clothing and home furnishings. As it expanded, however, I found myself balking at the prospect of actually having to manage a business. The idea of hiring, determining pay and managing others (and the resulting paperwork) terrified me. Of course, this limited the growth of the venture. One person can only sew so much.

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Alternatives Federal Credit Union is helping our members reach out to others in the community who are in need.  The kindness of others always strengthens a community, but especially in these difficult economic times, the smallest of kindnesses can go a long way.

Here’s how it works:

1.) Alternatives provides you $10 - come into Alternatives during lobby hours and a teller will give you the money.  You decide how to give the $10 back to the community.  It can help out a local person or family you know in need, or it can go to a local non-profit organization that may be facing its own challenges.  You decide how to give the $10 back to the community, plus earn a chance to win an additional $500 donation from Alternatives. Think about why this recipient is unique, and/or why the recipient is deserving of the $10.  What’s the story?

2.) Tell Alternatives this story.  Show us how the $10 will benefit the recipient.  You can either videotape the story yourself and send it in, or come into Alternatives and we’ll tape you telling the story.  You can also take pictures, write an essay, or a combination of all these things.  Have fun with it!  You can also collaborate with other members and pool your $10 towards one recipient.

If you’re creating your own video, please upload to YouTube and send us the link.  For pictures & essays, e-mail us or mail in your materials attn: Pay It Forward, Alternatives Federal Credit Union, 125 N. Fulton St.  Ithaca, NY  14850.

If you don’t have access to a video camera, please come into Alternatives and we’ll videotape your story!   E-mail Alternatives to set up a time to be videotaped.

DEADLINE FOR THE CONTEST SUBMISSION IS JULY 3, 2009!

3.) Alternatives’ staff will decide on 10 semi-finalists, and will upload these finalists’ stories to our website.  From there, all members will vote on what they think is the best Pay It Forward story.  If you win, the person(s) or organization you originally donated to receives an additional donation of $500!

* This contest is not open to Alternatives staff or its immediate family members.  Limited to two contestants per household.