Election Watch 2006
Credit Union Political Spotlight
Dorinda Simpson
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When it comes to issues important to the movement, American Partners Federal Credit Union’s Dorinda Simpson has a long, successful history of political involvement. For Dorinda that involvement is simply an extension of her commitment to her members and her community. Born and raised in Rockingham County, North Carolina and a current resident of neighboring Guilford County, Dorinda guides a $50 million credit union that serves over 110 select employee groups in the two counties where she’s spent most of her life.
Creating economic opportunity and bringing affordable financial services to her members has long been her passion and focus at the credit union. However, as banker attacks increased in the 1990’s, Dorinda realized that simply running the credit union was not enough. “I knew that I had to do more to help community leaders understand just how important credit unions are to people in North Carolina,” said Simpson.
Dorinda had worked the polls for candidates and participated in phone banks in the past, but decided that she wanted to immerse herself, her Board, and membership in political involvement. With the “all politics is local” philosophy, Dorinda set out to do just that in the mid-1990s. She began building relationships with her local state representative and state senator, both of whom owned businesses at the time that were select employee groups of the credit union. Today, Senator Phil Berger serves as Minority Leader in the North Carolina Senate and Rep. Nelson Cole is among the ranking members of the North Carolina House. Credit unions in North Carolina count both as friends and allies – largely due to the work of Dorinda.
When redistricting in 2002 created a new Congressional District in North Carolina that stretched through Rockingham and Guilford counties, Dorinda saw yet another opportunity. She served as a member of the NC Credit Union League Governmental Affairs Committee that endorsed Brad Miller, the Democrat candidate in the new 13th District, early in the 2002 election cycle. Dorinda’s work didn’t end with the endorsement though. She attended fundraisers for Miller, hosted an event at the credit union, and encouraged members to vote for Miller in her September 2002 newsletter.
Just a few weeks ago, on Monday, October 2, 2006 Dorinda and the credit union wrote another chapter in this history of political involvement, sponsoring a Meet and Greet Luncheon that allowed credit union members to speak directly with these three elected officials. The event, which was held on the lawn of the Penn House in downtown Reidsville, drew about 50 credit union members. Miller, Berger (R) and Cole (D) updated the group on issues at the state and federal level, then took questions from the audience.
"Brad Miller, Phil Berger and Nelson Cole have been longtime supporters of credit unions," Dorinda remarked. "We wanted to give each of them the chance to talk about issues that are important to them – and we wanted to give our members the chance to ask questions and share their concerns as well."
"American Partners consistently looks for ways to involve their members in the political process," said Dan Schline, the North Carolina Credit Union League’s senior vice president of association services. "These local elected officials expect to hear from Dorinda during election time and are always pleased to get an opportunity to interact with their credit union constituents." During the recent meet and greet, Rep. Cole agreed with that sentiment, remarking that, "it's important for people to educate themselves about what's happening politically, so they can make informed decisions at the ballot box."
Schline describes Dorinda as a leader and an innovator. “From the meet and greet luncheon to grassroots and PAC activities,” said Schline, “Dorinda is always interested in finding new ways to get her board, staff and members more involved politically.” American Partners was the first North Carolina credit union to implement the Deduct-A-Buck program, an effort that has garnered over $13,000 for CULAC and CUPAC over the past six years. She participates in NCCUL’s annual PAC raffle and attends local fundraisers for candidates. Her leadership has also born fruit during grassroots efforts to communicate with elected officials on issues like payday lending, bankruptcy abuse reform, taxation and CURIA. “Dorinda understands that if you keep your members and staff politically engaged, then they are more prepared and willing to act when we need them to contact their local lawmaker about a specific issue,” said Schline.
In addition to her service on NCCUL’s Governmental Affairs Committee and the leadership she provides politically in her credit union, Dorinda has been involved at the national level with CUNA. In February of 1998 Dorinda testified before the Senate Banking Committee on bankruptcy abuse reform. In 2001-02 she served on CUNA’s Renaissance Commission as part of a system-wide effort to identify future legislative and regulatory needs of credit unions.
Where will the "Political Spotlight" shine next? Please email us if you know an individual or group within the credit union movement who is engaged in the political process.
