Affinity4 Community Blog

Affinity4 has joined Facebook and Twitter! At Affinity4 we love to hear from our customers, so joining Facebook and Twitter has provided us with just another way that we can interact with you, our valued customers. Check out our Facebook page for easy access to information on Affinity4 including what we are up to, access to our blog, photos of the Affinity4 team and more- click here to view our new page! If you’d like to sign up for a new Facebook account, click here.

You can also follow us on Twitter, @Affinity4 to keep up to date with what’s going on at Affinity4 and to interact with us online. If you don’t have a Twitter account, you can sign up here! We look forward to talking to you online!

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Graduating from college in May of 2008, I found myself in the middle of one of our country’s worst economic recessions. I had spent most of my college career working hard, hoping to find a job right after graduation and start my new life as a ‘grown-up’. But upon graduation I was thrown into the pool of potential employees, and the pool was growing rapidly. Was I ever in for a surprise.

Fast forward to February of 2009, after jumping from one part-time, temporary job to another, I still had not been able to find full-time employment. It was getting very frustrating and harder to stay positive, but I have never been one to mope. I knew that God had big plans for me and in His time they would be revealed. After a short trip to Norfolk to see my brother off on his Navy deployment, I deciding to start looking for jobs in the area. Why not? Even though I was born and raised in Kentucky, no one was hiring in Lexington and I had the flexibility to move if the opportunity arose.

That’s when I found Affinity4. President and CEO Steve Halliday was searching for a new executive assistant. When I found the job posting I was very intrigued: a telecommunications company who gives 10% of their proceeds back to the charity of the customers’ choice. I was always interested in the nonprofit sector and felt the need to be a part of something bigger than me; something that made a difference. Not only was the company intriguing, but Steve Halliday’s bio really caught my eye: A well educated lawyer who had worked in a consulting firm for nonprofit organizations and who now heads up a company that has raised over $75 million for Christian charities and ministries. For a recently graduated young professional seeking her first job, he sounded like someone I could learn a lot from to help me jump-start my career, while also working for an organization raising funds for worthy causes.

After a couple of phone interviews and a trip back to Norfolk to meet Mr. Halliday, I was offered the position. I was so excited for the opportunity to move to a new place and start my first ‘real’ job. I see the potential that Affinity4 has to grow, especially in a world where new technology is emerging every day, and I am so excited to be a part of that. As I start this new chapter of my life in Norfolk with Affinity4, I am excited about the new relationships I will make and the impact I will hopefully have on current and future customers.

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The annual Miss USA pageant took place this past Sunday in Las Vegas and was broadcast on NBC. At the end of the evening Miss North Carolina, Kristen Dalton was crowned Miss USA. However, that was not the headline of the event. Instead, a specific answer given by Miss California during the question-answer portion of the competition is what is being discussed by viewers, activist groups and the media alike.

When asked by Judge Perez Hilton whether all states should follow Vermont in legalizing same-sex marriage, Miss California, Carrie Prejean stated “Well, I think it’s great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And you know what? In my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised and that’s how I think it should be, between a man and a woman. Thank you very much.” This answer led to Perez Hilton degrading Miss Prejean on his blog as well as to much media uproar. The Executive Directors of the Miss California pageant even issued a statement condemning her answer. Many people are speculating whether her answer to the question actually cost her the crown, since despite being considered by many as the frontrunner, she ended up finishing as the 1st runner up.

When interviewed afterward, Miss California stated that she was happy with her answer and that she did not regret it. When taken in light of the fact that the majority of California’s residents recently voted to keep marriage between a man and a woman, it is surprising that she has been receiving so much criticism. Despite all the criticism, Miss Prejean also mentions receiving many calls and messages of support from those congratulating her for answering the question honestly and standing up for her beliefs. Click here to read Fox News’ interview with Miss Prejean.

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Today, all across America people are protesting America’s current fiscal policy by hosting TEA (Taxed Enough Already) parties. The TEA party movement has been spreading through the country, mostly via the web and social media over the past couple of months. This movement is drawing support from people of all different backgrounds and political affiliations.

These protests are named after the 1773 Boston Tea Party, one of the main historical events leading up to the American Revolution. The main driving force behind these protests is the protesting of tax increases, bailouts, and the large economic stimulus package recently passed by Congress. The protesters want the administration to begin pursuing responsible fiscal policy, mainly in the name of reducing the national debt and curtailing federal spending.

A couple of us here at Affinity4 went to the local TEA party, held in the Virginia Beach Town Center to see what it was all about. There was a large turnout and what was most noticeable was the fact that there were people of all ages. We saw small children, college-age young adults, families and many elderly citizens, one even in a wheel chair carrying a sign that stated “Government of the people, for the people, by the people”. The main guest speaker was former Virginia District 2 House Representative Thelma Drake. Former Representative Drake spoke about the decision making process in Washington and her belief that Congress needs to take the time to examine the facts rather than acting out of fear when it comes to making economic policy decisions.

The tone and feel of the event was very optimistic and the speakers emphasized the ability of those in attendance to make an impact on the future of our country. Overall this was an impressive grassroots event and we were glad we attended. Did you go to a local TEA party? Tell us about your experience!

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Many people say spring is their favorite season.  There is always a sense of excitement about getting out of the house after a long winter.  Farmers begin preparing the fields for planting. Animals are out and about with their young.  Kids get excited about spring break and what they might get from the Easter Bunny.  Families plan Easter egg hunts and family picnics.   Churches hold Easter Cantatas and spring bazaars.  It truly is a busy time of the year.

As Christians spring is the time of year when we celebrate Easter and Christ’s gift to us of eternal life as recorded in the Bible.  According to passages in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; Jesus arose from the tomb three days following his crucifixion by the Romans. After the resurrection, he appeared to Mary Magdalene and to his apostles; which affirmed their faith that he was the Son of God who died and rose so that we might have eternal life.

This Easter in the midst of all the egg hunts, cantatas, and family gatherings we hope that you will be afforded ample time to rest, pray and meditate on the true meaning of this season and the ultimate Easter gift!  From the Affinity4 staff to yours; Happy Easter!

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This past week the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed a bill called the Use of Force for the Protection of the Unborn Act, which would allow pregnant women to use deadly force to protect their unborn children. This bill came as a response to the case of a woman carrying quadruplets who stabbed and killed her boyfriend to protect her unborn children after he hit her in the stomach. The woman lost her babies and was originally convicted of manslaughter before she was found innocent on appeal.

Pregnant women often become victims of domestic violence. In fact, domestic violence has been recognized as a primary cause of miscarriages. This bill will allow women who reasonably believe that the life of their unborn child is in jeopardy to use deadly force to protect not only themselves, but their unborn children as well.

The bill will now go to the Oklahoma Senate for a final vote, where it is expected to pass, and then to Governor Henry’s desk. One of the key groups behind this bill is Americans United for Life, a nonprofit pro-life group. While this is a great step forward for the pro-life movement, there is still much work to be done. The biggest threat to the lives of the unborn right now is the Freedom of Choice Act, which would eliminate every restriction on abortion nationwide and even mandate taxpayer-funded abortion. Americans United for Life is just one of many pro-life groups fighting to prevent this act from becoming law. President Obama has promised to sign this act, which could very well be introduced in Congress at any time. To find out more about FOCA and sign the petition against it, visit Fight FOCA.

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