Meeting the COVID-19 challenge

<p>As difficult and devastating as the coronavirus (<a href='http://news.cuna.org/coronavirus'>COVID-19</a>) pandemic has been, it’s also brought out the best in many credit union leaders. <br/><br/>Take Tillery Durbin of <a href='https://121fcu.org/'>121 Financial Credit Union</a> in Jacksonville, Fla., and Amber Rahn, culture and organizational development manager for <a href='https://www.bluefcu.com/'>Blue Federal Credit Union</a> in Cheyenne, Wyo. <br/><br/>Durbin was promoted to business services director in April, when the pandemic arrived alongside a crush of SBA <a href='https://news.cuna.org/articles/118267-ppp-in-a-nutshell'>Paycheck Protection Program</a> (PPP) loans. <br/><br/>That’s when the brutally long hours began. <br/><br/>Durbin typically worked 13 to 16 hours a day processing PPP loans for 121 Financial’s small business members and those at other institutions. <br/><br/>Her goal: To help as many people as possible. <br/><br/>Rahn made it her mission to support employees struggling with remote work situations, home schooling, anxiety, and, in some cases, financial distress as spouses lost their jobs. <br/><br/>Rahn organized multiple virtual events to engage staff and build camaraderie, including a weekly series of musical sessions featuring in-house talent.  <br/><br/>She’s also helped many Blue Federal employees gain financial freedom with the Smart Dollar financial training program, through which staff have eliminated more than $750,000 in debt and saved $250,000. <br/><br/>Durbin and Rahn are among 39 credit union leaders named as <a href='http://news.cuna.org/rockstars'>2020 Credit Union Rock Stars</a> by <em>Credit Union Magazine</em>. <br/><br/>Sponsored by <a href='http://fiserv.com'>Fiserv</a>, the Credit Union Rock Stars program recognizes outstanding credit union professionals and volunteers from a wide range of disciplines for their exceptional creativity, innovation, and passion. <br/><br/>The 200th episode of the <a href='http://news.cuna.org/podcasts'>CUNA News Podcast</a> highli