...because advocacy ensures credit unions' future

The latest in a series about the value of League membership

The League and its members’ shared goal is to represent the interests of more than two million Wisconsin consumers who want to retain the right to belong to a not-for-profit, member-owned financial institution that benefits them in a number of positive ways.

Using stories of service to members and Wisconsin communities, Credit Union Activists cultivate pro-credit union allies in government and the media as part of a statewide public relations and advocacy campaign called "1 with The League."

Your League membership is essential in continuing to promote, protect and preserve the credit union difference with public officials. Working together in 2012 The League:

Actively lobbied and passed credit union specific legislation. We successfully passed a bill requested by the League Government Affairs Committee that doubles the financial contributions that credit unions may legally provide to community and charitable organizations in a year.

Defended and promoted credit unions while securing passage of positive legislation. We championed legislation concerning public deposits that allows public entities to use a new service in placing their deposits not just at banks, but also at credit unions. Uniform Commercial Code legislation improved how secured transactions are processed so that Wisconsin credit unions are on par with financial institutions in other states. Our advocacy concerning abandoned property foreclosures also helped credit unions by streamlining the process by which property is classified as abandoned and shortening the redemption period with various stakeholders.

Protected credit unions by opposing negative legislation. For example, we thwarted state Assembly and Senate bills that would have prevented credit unions from using conviction histories and conviction records when hiring staff. We also stopped a push for legislation that would have limited to whom credit cards may be issued, prevented credit card marketing to students and added requirements for extending credit to individuals under age 21.

Preserved credit unions’ federal and state income tax-exemption.

Monitored more than 1,300 proposals introduced in the Legislature throughout this term, diligently tracking bills that could affect credit unions and their members and lobbying legislators and Administration officials on more than 100 different proposals.

Made 13,914 contacts through our online Action Center. We also made an additional 2,995 contacts through in-person visits, phone calls, and letters this year to lawmakers, Walker and Obama administration officials and regulators on issues including but not limited to: member business lending, interchange, health savings accounts, vacant land reports, foreclosures, incidental powers, concealed carry of weapons, redistricting, the Mortgage Loan Originator Council, abandoned vehicles, a centralized agricultural lien system, credit card marketing practices, charitable contributions, the Credit Union Review Board and deposit concentration limits for banks.

Held numerous in-person meetings with key regulators. Activists participated in League-facilitated roundtable discussions with the DFI and OCU. Credit Union Activists also met with leaders from NCUA – including Chairwoman Debbie Matz and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in Washington, D.C.

Organized dozens of personal meetings with state and federal legislators at the State GAC, CUNA GAC, Hike the Hill in D.C., Chapters and in-district meetings.

Expanded credit unions’ involvement in REAL Solutions®, which helps demonstrate the Credit Union Difference and, in turn, the value of preserving credit unions’ income tax exemption. Wisconsin credit unions received a 2012 Corporate Citizenship Award from Corporate Report Wisconsin magazine, a statewide business publication, for their many REAL Solutions® that help Wisconsin citizens and communities.

Circulated the REAL Solutions® Scorecard for Wisconsin Credit Unions. This report details how credit unions deliver value to their 2.3 million member-owners and their communities. These powerful and practical examples protect credit unions from additional costly regulation and taxation by showing the realities of the Credit Union Difference.

Used Credit Union House across from the State Capitol as a high profile command center for advocacy initiatives. It is a central point for educational seminars, legislative briefings, fundraisers, meet and greets and committee meetings. Credit Union House also symbolizes that credit unions matter to their member-owners and are here to stay.

Connected with lawmakers at meet and greets, fundraisers, chapter legislative nights, in-school branch openings, regular branch openings, credit union office tours and at local public service, benevolent and business events.

Generated media coverage for pro-credit union stories.

Provided free advocacy and media relations training and opportunities to Wisconsin and international credit union leaders at chapter meetings, the State GAC, Hike the Hill, Credit Union House and through the Activist Arsenal, League Facebook page and Media Relations Facebook group.

Provided on-demand video testimonials for government officials to show services credit unions provide to member-owners and their communities.

Offered professional networking opportunities for Activists and Young Professionals at the State and CUNA GAC and Hike the Hill in D.C.

Expanded access to advocacy events through scholarships.

Utilized social media to share and respond to action alerts easily and quickly.

"The credit union world is complex. So is government," said Tom Liebe, The League’s VP of Government Affairs.

"From existing compliance burdens to new rules and regulations, the government plays a massive role in how your credit union operates minute-to-minute and how you’re ultimately able to meet all of your members’ needs. Those complexities can be made better or worse depending on our level of engagement and the presentation of our unified voice. Few things can or ever will be as important to your credit union as your involvement in government relations."

Watch League News for more about what we have accomplished together in 2012 as a united League. Our entire article series is being archived as it unfolds at www.theleague.coop/membershipmatters.