Southern Exposure Studio

Canopy Credit Union is passionate about giving back to the communities and individuals we serve. This summer, we’re inviting our members to join us. Take a look at some of the outstanding local non-profit organizations we partner with and if one of them resonates with you, reach out and volunteer, offer financial support, or learn more about other ways to help.

Here are a few of Canopy’s community partners that would benefit from your investment of time, talent and treasure!

Volunteers of America Spokane, Eastern Washington, and Northern Idaho, specializes in providing care to youth and adults with housing-first solutions and low-barrier access to services, because homelessness shouldn’t be a life sentence.

Thrive International’s mission is Empowering Multicultural Communities to THRIVE by  innovating how local communities respond to the refugee crisis in America. The organization has two transitional housing centers in Washington State that serve refugee families while providing programming and education tailored to their needs. Volunteers are needed to help bring meaningful programs to life!

Women & Children’s Free Restaurant & Community Kitchen provides free, nutritious meals to women and children living in Spokane County. The organization provides a vital safety net that fills nutritional gaps for women and children in need while fostering dignity and respect, both within our restaurant and in the community. Volunteers are needed to help with weekly food distributions.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home. Affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities. Habitat’s goal is to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Volunteers are needed to help build affordable homes. Whether you are an experienced homebuilder or have never picked up a hammer, your time and hard work is needed and much appreciated!

Meals on Wheels Spokane has been delivering hot, nutritious meals to elderly, homebound seniors in Spokane since 1967. The organization’s objective is to provide proper nutrition to those individuals who cannot meet the need on their own, regardless of income, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, handicap, or political affiliation.

Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP) provides people of low income with access to needed resources, and to help them make the kinds of connections that create opportunity. The organization’s goal is to help build a vibrant community that treats everyone with dignity and respect by advocating for that which is fair, honorable, and equitable.

Transitions works to end poverty and homelessness for women and children in Spokane. They pursue this mission through the operation of Women’s Hearth, Transitional Living Center, EduCare, Miryam’s House, New Leaf Kitchen & Café, and Home Yard Cottages.

Canopy Credit Union | Invest in Your Community

Signs Your Business Phone System Is Outdated

Upgrading a business phone system, especially for small businesses, can be daunting; the expenses of changing to a new phone system, the new training, and the disruption to day-to-day company activities can allow outdated phone systems to keep going longer than they should. 

At some point, the phone system will tell you very clearly that it’s time to change to more modern communications technology and update your system…

High System Maintenance Costs

Older phone systems can be costly to maintain and repair, especially as time goes on. As newer business technology is rolled out, adopted, and integrated into more and more companies, it becomes more difficult to find replacement parts or phone services to fix any issues. Consider software for computers and end-of-life announcements, telling customers to upgrade before the deadline as the software company will no longer service it. An old business phone system is similar in that specialized knowledge is often needed for repairs and the older the system is the less likely you are to find someone with that knowledge.

Outdated Phone Security Features

Whether a small business or a larger corporation, security is crucial. While security features frequently update as new holes are uncovered, older phone systems will be littered with them and are easy targets for hackers. Data breaches aren’t only for large companies, smaller businesses are bigger targets as it’s often thought that they can’t afford the most current security technology.

Lacking Integration Capabilities

Modern technology, especially communications, relies heavily on integration between different tools and software. If the phone system at the company doesn’t integrate well with the customer relationship managements software, email platforms, or other critical business applications, then efficiency and productivity both take big hits.

Poor Call Quality

Customers and clients lose faith in a company quickly if they’re dealing with frequent dropped calls or poor call quality, both of which are easy to have when a phone system is out of date. Not only do poor-performing phone systems give a bad impression, but it’s a clear sign that the system isn’t up to the task and needs to be switched out.

The Phone System Can’t Scale

Businesses grow and your technology should be able to grow with it, including the telephone systems. If it’s complicated and expensive to add new phone lines or expand operations in part because of the current phone system, then a new system is needed. Any technology that is holding back your business’s success or growth isn’t worth keeping because of the immediate replacement cost.

Current Communications Technology is Key to Small Business: Upgrade Your Phone Systems

If any of these signs ring true for your business’s phone system, then it’s time to upgrade. There are a few options available, but the one that is best suited for and can scale with a small business is the VoIP phone system.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones use the internet to transmit voice calls, eliminating the need for traditional phone lines. They offer a range of features and benefits, such as scalability, flexibility, and advanced features, and are cost-effective.

We at F2F Telecommunications give small to medium-range businesses the VoIP phone service they need to compete without enterprise costs and deliver the data equipment needed too. Working with the company that is empowering Cincinnati businesses with unified communications means no longer relying on outdated equipment and obsolete phone systems that are harming more than helping your business.

When it comes to selecting the appropriate car seat for your child’s age and size, the options can seem overwhelming at first glance. However, with safety being the utmost priority, it’s essential to carefully consider various factors to ensure your child’s well-being on the road. Each stage requires specific features to provide optimal protection and comfort from infancy through to booster seat age. By understanding the key considerations for each type of car seat available and the laws surrounding car seats, you can make an informed decision that suits your child’s unique needs and promotes a safe travel experience for the whole family.

Infant Car Seats

When selecting an infant car seat, prioritize safety features over aesthetics to ensure your child’s protection on the road. Look for seats with a secure five-point harness system, side-impact protection, and energy-absorbing foam.

Ensure the seat is compatible with your vehicle and that it meets all safety standards. Remember, the safest spot for your infant’s car seat is in the back seat, preferably in the middle. Make sure the seat is installed correctly and securely, with no more than an inch of movement.

Regularly check for recalls and stay updated on safety guidelines to keep your little one safe during every car ride. Your child’s safety is paramount, so choose wisely.

Convertible Car Seats

Ensure your child’s safety continues as they grow by considering a convertible car seat that provides reliable protection and comfort on the road. Convertible car seats are designed to accommodate children as they transition from rear-facing to forward-facing positions, offering versatility and longevity.

These seats typically have higher weight and height limits than infant car seats, allowing your child to use them for an extended period. Convertible car seats feature adjustable harness systems and multiple recline positions to ensure a proper fit as your child grows. Additionally, they offer side-impact protection and energy-absorbing foam for enhanced safety.

When selecting a convertible car seat, make sure it meets all safety standards and fits securely in your vehicle.

Booster Seats

Consider upgrading to a booster seat to provide your growing child with the necessary support and protection during car rides. Booster seats are designed for children who’ve outgrown their forward-facing car seat but aren’t yet ready for just a seat belt. They elevate your child, enabling the seat belt to fit properly across their chest and lap. Make sure the shoulder belt sits snugly across the shoulder and chest, not the neck or face.

Booster seats come in high-back and backless options, with high-back boosters offering additional head and neck support. Always check the weight and height limits of the booster seat to ensure it’s appropriate for your child’s size.

All-in-One Car Seats

If your child is ready to transition from a booster seat, you may want to explore all-in-one car seats as a versatile option for long-term use.

All-in-one car seats are designed to accommodate children from infancy to booster seat age, offering a seamless transition as your child grows. These seats typically have higher weight and height limits compared to other types, allowing for extended use.

They can be rear-facing for infants, forward-facing for toddlers, and then convert to booster seats for older children. With an all-in-one car seat, you won’t need to buy multiple seats as your child grows, making it a cost-effective and convenient choice for many parents.

Extended Rear-Facing Seats

When selecting a car seat for your child, prioritize safety by considering extended rear-facing seats for optimal protection. Extended rear-facing seats are designed to keep your child facing the back of the vehicle for a longer period, providing enhanced protection for their head, neck, and spine in the event of a crash.

These seats are recommended by safety experts as they distribute the force of a collision over a larger area, reducing the risk of injury. By keeping your child rear-facing for as long as possible within the seat’s height and weight limits, you’re providing them with the best possible safety measures in the car.

Premises liability and negligence are terms often heard in legal discussions. Both are important in personal injury law but are not the same. Understanding their differences is key, especially when dealing with an injury case in Washington, DC.

Premises Liability Explained

Premises liability holds property owners responsible for injuries that occur on their property. This can include private homes, businesses, and public spaces. The main idea is that property owners must keep their premises safe for visitors.

Negligence Defined

Negligence, in general, is a failure to act with the care that a reasonable person would in similar circumstances. It is broader than premises liability and applies to many personal injury cases.

How They Are Related

Premises liability is a specific type of negligence. In premises liability cases, the property owner’s negligence causes the injury. For example, if a store owner fails to clean up a spill and someone slips and falls, this could be a premises liability case based on negligence.

Legal Requirements in Washington, DC

To prove a premises liability case in Washington, DC, you must show:

1. Duty of Care: The property owner had a duty to ensure the property was safe.
2. Breach of Duty: The owner failed to meet this duty.
3. Causation: The breach of duty caused the injury.
4. Damages: The injury resulted in actual damages, such as medical bills or lost wages.

Types of Premises Liability Cases

Premises liability cases in Washington, DC, can include:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Inadequate maintenance
• Defective conditions
• Inadequate security
• Dog bites
• Swimming pool accidents

Each case involves the property owner’s duty to maintain a safe environment.

Differences Between Premises Liability and General Negligence

While premises liability is a form of negligence, not all negligence cases are premises liability cases. General negligence can involve car accidents, medical malpractice, and more. Premises liability is specific to injuries that occur on someone’s property.

Visitor Status

In premises liability cases, the visitor’s status is essential. Washington, DC law recognizes three types of visitors:

1. Invitees: People invited onto the property for business reasons, like customers in a store. Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees.
2. Licensees: People like social guests are allowed on the property for non-business reasons. Owners must warn licensees of known dangers.
3. Trespassers: People who enter the property without permission. Owners owe trespassers a limited duty of care, generally to avoid intentional harm.

Proving Negligence in Premises Liability Cases

To win a premises liability case, you must prove that the property owner was negligent. This involves showing that the owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it or warn visitors.

Comparative Negligence in Washington, DC

Washington, DC, follows the contributory negligence rule. If you are found to be even slightly at fault for your injury, you may be barred from recovering any damages. This makes it especially important to have strong evidence showing the property owner’s negligence.

Legal Assistance

Given the strict contributory negligence rule, having a lawyer can be a benefit. A lawyer can help gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong case to prove the property owner’s negligence.

While premises liability and general negligence are related, they are not the same. Premises liability is a specific type of negligence involving property owners’ duty to keep their property safe. Understanding this distinction is important if you are dealing with an injury case in Washington, DC. Knowing the visitor status, duty of care, and contributory negligence rules can help you understand your rights and what you need to prove your case. Seeking legal assistance can greatly enhance your chances of a favorable outcome.