Election Watch 2008

Credit Union Political Spotlight

Robin Marohn - Political Involvement Spotlight

Robin was a bit younger than most when he was bit by the political bug. At the tender age of 11, Robin was knocking on doors and stuffing mailers three days a week for Bill Steiger's campaign in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Robin's dad was active in politics in Wisconsin's Fox River Valley, so working on campaigns was more or less expected. Mr. Steiger won the 6th Congressional District seat and served there from 1967 until his death in 1978. Robin particularly enjoyed going door-to-door and found that people took the time to listen to a kid on why that kid was campaigning for Bill Steiger.

Robin, VP of Marketing & Business Development for Heartland CU in Wisconsin, continued his political involvement in the ensuing years by volunteering on various local, state and national campaigns. While in college, he organized UW-Oshkosh student voter registration rallies for age-eligible students; student volunteer groups, and phone banks. His most unusual campaign experience happened while he was dog sitting for a candidate's Labrador retriever during a speaking engagement. Unfortunately the dog got loose and killed a goose on a farm across from the supper club. Luckily, the farmer was a forgiving person.

For the first time this year, Robin actively participated in the Iowa Caucuses. It was exhilarating to do some fairly substantial caucus campaign work and he found the caucus process incredibly fascinating! Robin is also helping one of his co-workers with his race for the local Assembly. He thinks it is important to get as many credit union supporters involved in political advocacy as possible.

In 1996, Robin became involved with his first credit-union supporter candidate, for State Senator Jon Erpenbach's win in Wisconsin's 27th Senate District. Jon has been a long-time credit union member and while his opponent that first time around wasn't a banker, their influence was present in the race. Robin feels this race was indicative of how Wisconsin credit unions' political capital was starting to grow. Legislators and staff were becoming aware of how credit unions are different and, most importantly, how fiercely loyal credit union member/owners can be.

Not only does Robin donate his personal money to his candidates of choice, he also knows the value of attending and hosting fundraisers for them since it is an integral part of the political process. He feels it is incredibly important that credit union people attend these events so legislators and staff get to know them, know they count on credit unions for support and learn to use as a resource.

Robin says that while politics has always been fun, when he started advocating for credit unions, it became a passion. He knows it's easy to be apathetic with politics right now, but credit union people need to know they can make a difference. He has seen it happen in Wisconsin and is also seeing it happen on Capitol Hill. It happens slowly but credit unions are doing good work and for all the right reasons - for the benefit of our member/owners.

When he is not politically advocating on behalf of credit unions, Robin also belongs to The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, and The Nature Conservancy.

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.

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