On October 30th State Rep. Bonnie Rich (R-Suwanee) met with senior members of Peach State FCU for a tour of their headquarters right on the line of her district to help create a positive connection for the industry. Rep. Rich is in her first year with the Georgia Legislature, and serves on two committees of keen interest to credit unions: the House Judiciary Committee (which often debates lending/operations issues) and Ways and Means (which is the taxation committee). This meeting was sought specifically to build a solid connection with her now for the future.
The vast majority of the individuals elected to state office do not have a strong understanding of what makes a credit union unique, and the issues that can impact the industry, etc. And while it’s fantastic in the off chance a legislator knows this right off the bat, for everyone else, that’s where credit union advocacy comes into play! This is work is done in a variety of ways, and credit union efforts are highlighted regularly in Creating Influence. And it’s important to continue this growth – in district connections, hike at home meetings, Hike the Hills, and credit union tours such as this to grow a positive connection and understanding.
Several of the credit unions in the state have hosted similar tours with legislators. It is an easy thing to do with powerful results, as it is a way for legislators to get a sense of the industry by learning about the industry. Thank you to Peach State FCU for engaging with their legislator in this manner to expand awareness of the industry and help pave the way for a positive connection!
