5 digital/social items for credit unions to do in 2015
29SHARESShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr,Michael Ogden Michael has been in the social media business for more than a decade inside the credit union, technology, financial and food industries. He’s the founder of For3, LLC, which … Web: www.for3forgood.com Details 2015 budgets and plans are being formed as we speak. So as my gift to you, here are five things to think about including into your credit union’s digital plans for next year.Music Platforms – Want to reach your audience (especially the younger ones)? Try using some marketing dollars on running ads on Pandora or Songza or any music streaming service. I know one credit union who’s been testing this out and it’s worked brilliantly for them in converting real revenue for their credit union.Blogging – This content-driven strategy is working wonders for credit unions and financial brands. Why? Because people are looking for two things: financial help and connections to the community. If you can do those things in a way that’s timely, planned out and structured – you’ll see successes. Oh and make sure that you tie your blog to your credit union’s website – it’s about traffic to your services.Local Social – This year, there’s going to be more of a focus on connecting and supporting local efforts and businesses through your social channels. For example, other small businesses needing help, promoting important community issues to gain regional and/or national attention, or simply being proud, good citizens on behalf of your credit union. All of this can be done to rally your community using your social platforms.Paid reach – Get ready to start funding your social media platforms with a little extra cash. We’ve reached the point where it’s time to pay-to-play, especially on Facebook and Twitter. How much should you expect to shell out? Depending on how targeted you want your posts to be, you could be looking at spending anywhere from $50 to $1000 per month for promoting and boosting general posts.Partner with Compliance – It’s been a year since the FFIEC came out with their “Guidance on Social Media” and it’s time to have “the talk.” Sit down with compliance and come up with your social media rules of engagement for internal and external audiences; how you’ll handle crisis issues, customer service, product-related posts….all of it! It’s time to embrace your heavily-regulated environment and make it work for your credit union’s digital strategies.One last suggestion for my social media friends: This is the year to finally abandon all of the careful “corporate-y” and financial marketing language in all of your social media posts. No one really connects with language like “get a good auto loan rate,” or “stop by for a quote.” Sure, they are traditional marketing phrases. But your followers are looking for more than marketing. Give them something to share and be excited about.
Flu activity declined in the United States again last week, but is still high for this time of the year, and new research based on data from Canada this season reveals an age-group of children hit harder by the 2009 H1N1 strain because they weren’t alive during the pandemic years.Researchers and public health officials closely monitor attack rates across different age-groups, not only to gauge the burden of the disease but also to watch for immunity gaps that might influence spread patterns and response to vaccines. A team from Canada published its findings on disproportionate level of cases in children younger than 10 yesterday in Eurosurveillance.Fewer states report widespread fluAccording to the weekly snapshot from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 20 states reported widespread flu, down from 33 and Puerto Rico the week before. The percentage of clinic visits for flulike illness is still above the national baseline, as it has been for 20 weeks in a row, but declined from 3.1% to 2.8%.The percentage of respiratory specimens that tested positive for flu was 15.1%, down from 19% the previous week. In the middle of February, H3N2 nudged out 2009 H1N1 as the dominant strain, and in another unusual development this season, few influenza B viruses—which usually rise late in the season—have been reported. H3N2 is now outpacing H1N1 76.8% to 23.2% among influenza A–positive strains.One flu marker that rose slightly last week was the hospitalization rate, which increased from 56.4 to 59.9 per 100,000 population. The highest rates are in adults ages 65 and older (195.9 per 100,000 population).Four more pediatric flu deaths were reported, pushing the season’s total 86. One was from 2009 H1N1, one from H3N2, and two from unsubtyped influenza A viruses. Overall deaths from pneumonia and flu fell below the epidemic threshold, to 7.1%.Study highlights vulnerable group of kidsThe 2009 H1N1 virus has been the dominant flu strain in the Northern Hemisphere this season, and surveillance systems in Canada reported that children were more affected by the virus than other age-group have been. For the study, researchers from British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and Manitoba examined age distribution of the 2009 H1N1 cases this season compared with past flu seasons, and they compared unvaccinated people against test-negative controls.Findings across the different flu seasons showed that children younger than 10 made up a greater proportion of outpatient visits this season, especially kids ages 5 to 9 years old, who made up 14% of cases, twice that for earlier 2009 H1N1–dominant years in the 2013-14 and 2015-16 flu seasons.Danuta Skowronski, MD, the study’s first author, who is with the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, said the paper, as expected, shows that school-age children (ages 5 to 19) were overrepresented in earlier H3N2 epidemics. However, younger school-aged kids (ages 5 to 9) hadn’t been overrepresented in earlier 2009 H1N1 epidemics.She said for the first time this season, the younger school-aged group is fully made up of kids who weren’t yet born during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, missing out on high infection rates that conferred pandemic-related immunity. Skowronski notes, in contrast, that preteens and teens— who have greater social contacts than their younger peers and were alive during the pandemic years—have been underrepresented across all 2009 H1N1 dominant seasons since then.The authors wrote that, besides kids their own age, younger school-age kids have contacts with siblings and parents that tend to be longer duration, creating richer contact networks that may have amplified spread beyond their peers.So far, it’s not clear if flu attack rates this season were enough to reduce the susceptibility in this “moving cohort” of children who weren’t alive during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, the authors note. “If not, that susceptibility may next extend to include those older than 10 years who have, on average, the greatest number of effective contacts, a potentially precarious combination for future A(H1N1)pdm09 epidemics.”Skowronski said immunologic cohort effects related to major priming events such as pandemics need to be followed in this way to anticipate age-related vulnerability during ensuing flu seasons.See also:Apr 12 CDC FluView reportApr 12 CDC flu situation reportApr 11 Eurosurveill report
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Tocardo Tidal Turbines has acquired Royal IHC’s tidal division, which is a new step in the expansion of Tocardo’s operations in the Netherlands and internationally.“The acquisition of IHC Tidal Energy is a welcome addition to the product range of Tocardo and offers us additional opportunities to perform tidal energy projects around the world,” said Hans van Breugel, CEO of Tocardo.IHC Tidal Energy, based in Alblasserdam, has developed a tidal turbine with a vertical axis, which is close to the stage of commercial application. Tocardo builds tidal turbines with a horizontal axis, which have been delivered to tidal projects on a commercial basis for a long time.In some offshore locations, vertical-axis turbines suit better than turbines with a horizontal axis. By offering both options, Tocardo can exploit the energy potential of the sea for its customers even better.Bram Roelse, CEO of IHC: “With the sale, we ensure more focus on our core activities. IHC Tidal Energy is a stable and healthy company. However, its activities are not directly related to the strategy of IHC.” Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.[mappress mapid=”14814″]Offshore WIND Staff; Image: IHC Tidal Energy
Nottingham firm Paragon Law has forced West Bromwich and Peterborough firm Paragon Solicitors to change its name and pay legal costs after a trade mark dispute. Paragon Solicitors has now changed its name to H&V Solicitors and paid £20,000 to Paragon Law in costs. The Paragon Law name is a trademark. Paragon Law contended that the use of the name ‘Paragon’ could have confused potential clients because both firms practise immigration law. Paragon Law managing director Thalej Vasishta said: ‘At the time Paragon Law was set up it was important to us that our name was protected [by trademark] and that no other firm rode on our coattails by adopting our name.’ John Buckby, solicitor at Berryman who acted for Paragon Law, said that H&V settled just before a High Court hearing in early October. H&V Solicitors senior partner Vikram Singh said his firm was unaware of Paragon Law when it opened in April 2006 and H&V had ‘amicably conceded’ early on to change its name. However, he said there was a dispute over costs which was settled at the ‘eleventh hour’. He added that immigration only formed a ‘very small percentage’ of H&V’s business.
Young Pirates celebrate their win in the SAFA Cape Town men’s Coke Cup final. Veteran Young Pirates striker Royston Lindsay scored his fourth goal in two matches when he netted the winner in his side’s 1-0 victory against Helderberg’s Two For Joy in this year’s Coke Cup final, at Athlone Stadium on Saturday.The lanky forward was also on point in the semi-finals, where he almost single-handedly eliminated Mitchell’s Plain’s Beacon Spurs with a brilliant hat-trick to secure Pirates’ spot in Saturday’s final.However, it took a collective effort to keep their stubborn opponents at bay. with goalkeeper Zaheer Meiring in superb form between the post and livewire winger Tasreek Judaar causing all the problems for the defence. However, the vocal Pirates fans had to wait until late in the first half before Lindsay’s strike had caused an eruption that nearly blew the roof off the stadium. There were moments of panic though, as Two For Joy threatened to score early on but were prevented from doing so thanks to Meiring’s acrobatics. Meiring and co would have been wary of their opponents’ goalscoring reputation as they demolished Hanover Park’s Melchester Rovers 5-1 in the semi-finals.The fleet-footed keeper produced a stunning save from close range to deny the opposition a foot in the door. A few minutes later, the Helderberg side thought they had a penalty but the referee, Akhona Ndzingo – who had an excellent game in the middle – dismissed their appeal and awarded them a free kick just outside the box.The Strand-based side failed to make good use of that opportunity as the ball went wide for a corner kick.From then on, the Heideveld side came back strongly, getting close on a number of occasions but their front runners couldn’t penetrate their opponents’ defence.Judaar put in the hard yards up front, confusing the opposition defence with his trickery on the ball. He was running riot down the left and the right flanks and would have been an ideal canididate for man of the match, had such an award been on offer. Pirates were particularly impressive in the middle with Thembisile Salmani and Mthuthuzeli Matshabane pulling the strings in the middle. They made sure that, after winning the battle in the middle, they played the ball over the opposition defence straight to the pacey Judaar.But Pirates didn’t have it all their own way as the Two For Joy wall stood firm and they tried to catch their opponents on a counter. They just didn’t get the breakthrough they needed. Pirates, on the other hand, used the one opportunity that came their way, with Lindsay scoring in the last minute of the first half. The second half, especially in the early stages, proved to be a ding-dong affair as neither side really took charge of things. The battle got tighter in the middle and, as a result, the strikers didn’t get enough supply to test the keepers. Two For Joy were, at that point, getting desperate for the equaliser but their opponents were not giving anything away. And, if they found the opening, Pirates goalie was always alert, protecting his side’s lead.Pirates held on until the final whistle to record their first-ever Coke Cup victory. And coach Roger Fortune admitted his side had to dig deep for their victory as Two For Joy proved to be stubborn, especially at the back.“We prepared thoroughly for this final, did our homework and came here with a plan. We knew they were going to attack us using their wings, which was where we needed to stop them. Two For Joy came hard at us but our players kept our shape well and the concentration levels were on point. “We were able to close the supply and, once they were starved of the ball, they got frustrated and we capitalised,” said Fortune.He also noted that the players were, before the match, aware that there was more at stake than just winning the trophy for themselves and the club.“This win means a lot to us. We were playing for Heideveld as a whole and you can see the Heideveld people here are over the moon. We are proud of the boys’ achievement. They gave their all through the tournament and this is the reward,”said Fortune.He said the team had a difficult run in the competition. In fact, they were at some point referred to as penalty kings as they won most of their Coke Cup matches on penalties. However, Pirates played like champions scoring 30 goals and conceding only five after beating Santos 1-0, Newfields FC 16-0, Bellville United 2-0, Benfica 3-2 on penalties after a 1-all draw, Stanfurf 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw, Florentina 5-4 after a 2-all draw, United 5-0 and Beacon Spurs 3-2, ahead of Saturday’s final. Fortune said their style was based on attacking football, which was coupled with solid defence. And, that was in full display on Saturday as his side attacked in waves, and also proving to be stingy at the back, in terms of giving away goal-scoring chances.
Image – nhshighland-rural.scot.nhs.uk AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to FacebookFacebookFacebookShare to TwitterTwitterTwitterShare to LinkedInLinkedInLinkedIn Recently retired doctors are to return to work as part of a new collaboration to support health services in remote and rural areas.Under the new Scottish Clinicians Collaborative, which is being developed by the Scottish Government and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, clinicians who have recently retired or are working part-time can take on short-term work to support rural general hospitals where recruitment can be challenging.Speaking at the launch in Edinburgh, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said:“We are experiencing a period of unprecedented change and medical education must adapt and evolve to meet the expectations of our healthcare services. Our health service benefits if we can retain the expertise and skills of our most experienced doctors and health professionals.“We are committed to high quality care in our rural communities. These highly experienced clinicians have told us that they would welcome the opportunity to maintain their clinical interests in more flexible ways, making them ideally suited to working in rural environments.”Consultant Surgeon Robert Diament retired from NHS Ayrshire and Arran in 2018 and now works as a travelling Locum Consultant Surgeon in Scotland’s remote and rural hospitals.He said:“This joint venture is an opportunity for senior consultants from across the country to come together and provide specialist services wherever and whenever they are required. This support is required in some of Scotland’s more remote communities where the sustainability of specialist hospital services is particularly challenging.”
Share Tweet Share LocalNews Georgetown housing lots to be made available soon by: – May 21, 2014 Sharing is caring!
Share 133 Views one comment Land at Georgetown to be sold to residentsSixty families in Georgetown, Portsmouth could soon breathe a sigh of relief as government has accelerated the process to address land and housing concerns there. The residents have protesting for government’s approval to occupy twenty-one (21) acres of land in Georgetown.Housing Minister Reginald Austrie told Dominica Vibes on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 that at least sixty (60) lots will soon be available for sale in Georgetown.“Government has in fact taken a decision to allow the people from the Portsmouth area, particularly the Georgetown area, to own some of the lands in Georgetown”. He added that the government is in the process of implementing the necessary infrastructure as it is against the law to sell lands to persons without it.“We are now working out the basic infrastructure and we are also working on arriving at the evaluation for the property”.Mr Austrie informed that the evaluation of the property and recommendations for the price at which the lots will be sold to residents are now being done and will be taken to Cabinet for review soon. “Once that is done and we can raise the money for the infrastructure, the lands will be made available to the people in the Portsmouth, Glanvillia, Georgetown area,” he said.He added however, that this process could take up to three weeks for approval. “I have already gotten some basic information from the Evaluation Unit, we are in the process of preparing the Cabinet papers so I can say safely within the next two to three weeks we should have some information ready and available for the people of Dominica,” Mr Austrie noted. Dominica Vibes News
Share Dominica – A Different Adventure (Dominica Film Challenge 2018 video)At the halfway point already! The momentum has been building and it’s sure to come to a crescendo when you view this fantastic new video as part of the 2018 Dominica Film Challenge! Produced by Sheldon Casimir and @Norris Francois Jr. , this film ‘Dominica – A Different Adventure’ gives a thrilling peek into the varied adventures you can enjoy when you come visit to #ReDiscoverDominica! Plunge into a river pool, lounge on the beach, tube down a river, view whales year round, ride a horse through a forest trail, participate in cultural and entertainment activities; these are just a few of the countless fun experiences featured! Remember to view, like and SHARE, and tune in for the next video premiere on Friday! #ReDiscoverDominica #DominicaChallenge #NatureIsland. Thrilled to come visit? Get great deals here: http://discoverdominica.com/spring2018/index.htmlPosted by Discover Dominica on Wednesday, August 8, 2018The other competitors who participated in the film are Armani Augustine and Garvin Leblanc (‘Nature Island Rejuvenation’), Galon and Margaret Gajek (‘Hiking an Island Reborn by Derek’), Marica Honeychurch and Arnaud Chabert (‘You and me’), Tridel Edwin and Elias Dupuis (‘Waitukubuli a Love Letter’), and Kreig Harris and Ericson Joseph (‘Dominica From Past to Promise’). Tweet Share Sharing is caring! 263 Views no discussions Share Dominica: From Past to Promise (Dominica Film Challenge 2018 Video)Our final video of the Dominica Film Challenge 2018, but was it saving the best for last? You tell us! This video is based on the theme ‘History and Culture’ and was produced by @Kreig Harris and Gremo Joseph.Named ‘Dominica: From past to promise,’ this video is set to a captivating and inspiring soundtrack which is sure to keep your attention through out this journey into Dominica’s unique and authentic culture! Remember to view, like and SHARE all the videos, and tune in for the announcement of the winning video next Wednesday! #ReDiscoverDominica #DominicaChallenge #NatureIsland. Thrilled to come visit? Get great deals here: http://discoverdominica.com/spring2018/index.htmlKAHZ Media ProductionsPosted by Discover Dominica on Wednesday, August 15, 2018Chief Executive Officer Discover Dominica Authority Collin Piper explained that “the aim of the film competition is to focus on Dominican talent, by giving support to individuals, to help produce and showcase a great product”.Kreig Harris and Ericson Joseph place second with their film ‘Dominica From Past to Promise’ while Social Media winners were Derek Galon and Margaret Gajek, with their film ‘Hiking an Island Reborn’. Discover DominicaLocalNews ‘Dominica a Different Adventure’ wins Dominica Film Challenge by: Dominica Vibes News – August 29, 2018 Sheldon Casimir and Norris Francois Jr.Sheldon Casimir and Norris Francois Jr. have emerged winners of the 2018 Dominica Film Challenge with their film entitled ‘Dominica, A Different Adventure’.The 2018 Dominica Film Challenge was organized by the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) where six local teams were chosen to participate.The award ceremony was held at the Prevost Cinemall conference room on Wednesday August 29, 2018. ‘Hiking an Island Reborn’ Dominica Film Challenge VideoStill many more exciting films coming your way as part of the 2018 Dominica Film Challenge! Today it’s all about team 2 led by Derek Galon with the short film ‘Hiking an Island Reborn’. This film is centered around the theme ‘Hiking’ and gives fascinating insight into the versatile hiking experience available right now in the #NatureIsland! From leisurely strolls along trails through the quickly-renewing forest vegetation, or exploring seascapes, to canyoning adventures down cliffs and gorges! Remember to view, like and SHARE, and tune in for the third video on Wednesday! #ReDiscoverDominica #DominicaChallenge Ozone Zone BooksPosted by Discover Dominica on Monday, August 6, 2018