VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – While some are content to just talk about their days of old, Chartway Federal Credit Union has taken steps to immortalize them in a book- The Story of Chartway Federal Credit Union: From cigar boxes to data chips. "As a SEG-based credit union part of the challenge is explaining what is a credit union," said CFCU President/CEO Ron Burniske. "With this book we can say this is what a credit union means and really show people why it is important to be a part of it – it serves as a great marketing tool." What would turn out to be an 18-month project started with Board Chairman John McGrath's interest in understanding the credit union's roots and the board wanting to find a way to honor those members, volunteers and staff who had the vision to dream and the will to achieve. For approximately eight months freelance writer Carolyn A. Berry sat in on board committee meetings, conducted 40-50 audio/ video interviews and pored through hundreds of photographs. The remaining months were spent working with the board editing and revising the final product. The resulting 100-page hardcover book takes a behind-the-scenes human look at the creation of Chartway FCU and the people who made it happen. Complete with illustrations and photographs, the book also tells of setbacks that nearly crippled the credit union and how it bounced back, personal anecdotes and even tosses in an interesting pig roast legend where members had to dig a six-foot deep, 12-foot wide by 12-foot long pit to cook just one pig for a CU picnic. "I can't think of many other financial institutions proud enough of their past to write about it," said Burniske. "Well, we are proud of our beginnings and look forward to a future filled with continued success." Plans are underway to offer a hardcover version of the book for $14.99 and a paperback version for $9.99 at the branches and on the credit union's Web site www.chartway.org. [email protected]