If you have been following the legislative agenda in Washington DC lately, you probably know that the second biggest issue behind health care reform is financial reform. The legislation already in place or being debated will greatly effect our industry for years to come. Most of it is not positive.

One of the biggest challenges for credit unions is that we keep getting thrown in the pot with the bad guys. In other words, the mistakes that created this crisis weren’t made by us, but the solutions and safeguards effect us nonetheless.

Additionally, for every political dollar that credit unions donate, the banking industry donates four. Whom do you think gets the most attention?

As an example of what advocacy support can do, the credit card reform act was recently modified so it does what it set out to do: Better regulate credit cards. Without the grassroots efforts of our industry, this never would have been modified so soon after it became legislation. Other issues facing us head-on include Courtesy Pay, Interchange income, and the current Member Business Loan cap. Until our legislators let their collective feet off the gas pedal, we are in for a long, hard fight to defeat negative legislation and to support anything that will help us.

As a result, the need for a strong voice in Washington has never been more necessary. That is where you come in. Advocacy has never been easier and more important for our industry.

The California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues have created “Connect for the Cause”, which is an extremely user-friendly way to make sure that our legislators hear our voice. It takes less than a minute to register (click here), and about as long to send pre-scripted letters advocating our cause to your respective decision makers. If you want to customize your letter, you can do that, too. Governmental affairs professionals will tell you that politicians definitely count responses, so every time you click and send, you are strengthening our collective voice.

CUNA offers a similar website for anyone, anywhere. It is an ideal site you can use to become informed, stay connected, and make your voice heard by the decision makers.

As marketers, we are truly the voice of our credit unions – if not directly – certainly as facilitators. Advocacy at a time when our industry is on the attack from our legislators and from our competitors is the best defense, and a timely marketing strategy. Once you get your fellow employees and also your members “connected,” our cause will have more strength needed to have a powerful voice inside the beltway.

Scott Coe, SVP Marketing, CoastHills Federal Credit Union

MAC 2009-2010 Chair