Grassroots capabilities is important to the advocacy success of any industry. Two important parts of strong grassroots is educating staff and board about the issues that impact credit unions, and engaging with legislators to grow relationships and understanding of what makes credit unions unique. In addition to the in-person contact GCUA had these past two weeks at political events, here are some of the most recent examples of grassroots in Georgia:
- On April 12th, Associated Credit Union held a legislative/PAC focused staff meeting to educate new employees on the importance of credit union grassroots, the key issues addressed in the state legislative session, and how their involvement with PAC fundraising is vital to the success of the industry.
- On April 17th Georgia United Credit Union hosted state Rep. Brian Strickland (R-McDonough) at their student run branch at the Academy for Advanced Studies in his district. Rep. Strickland has been an ally in the state legislature for credit union issues, and this meeting helped illustrate the unique nature of the industry and how they help his community.
- On April 18th the South Georgia Credit Union Chapter held a legislative issues chapter meeting to shed light on the top changes in law arising from the state session, and what matters to credit unions. Credit unions were provided the insight into new enhancements in law pending for the industry.
- On April 21st the Augusta Credit Union Chapter held a legislative chapter meeting, hosting local elected officials as well as state and federal legislators that represent the area. Some of the officials in attendance included state Rep. Barry Fleming (R-Harlem), state Rep. Sheila Clark Nelson (D-Augusta), and US Rep. Rick Allen (R-12) who served as the special guest speaker for the evening. Congressman Allen provided insight into the top legislative issues to be addressed on the federal level in Washington DC.
If your credit union is holding branch openings or events, please invite your area legislators and share with us any connections. Also, if your credit union or chapter is interested in holding a similar legislative issues focused meeting, please let us know.
LTR: State Rep. Barry Fleming, Bernadette Hughes-Augusta Metro FCU Supervisory Committee Member, State Rep. Sheila Clark Nelso
State Rep. Brian Strickland (far left) at Georgia United CU
