Election Watch 2008

Credit Union Political Spotlight

JOHN BELL

By day, John Bell IV is the Manager of Sales & Business Development for the North Carolina Community FCU in Goldsboro, NC, but in his free time Bell is the campaign manager for Efton Sager. Bell got involved in local politics last year when a candidate (Sager) running for the North Carolina House of Representatives in the 11th District asked John to be a part of his campaign. John had long thought of becoming politically involved since his student days at the University of North Carolina, so when this opportunity presented itself, he readily agreed to the position. There is also another good reason why John is an enthusiastic supporter of Sager – Sager is a long-standing member of the North Carolina Community FCU!

John’s role as campaign manager has certainly covered every facet of campaigning. He has made personal phone calls, sent out invitations and mailers, hosted events, and run campaign meetings. It has also given him the chance to meet with local industry & business leaders, do some public speaking, and face-to-face campaigning. Not only has John placed signs in his own yard, but he has also delivered yard signs to other interested community members. Bell even goes so far as to have a sign on his car! These aren’t your run-of-the-mill bumper stickers – they are two moving billboard-type magnetic signs on each side of the car. They are certainly hard to miss as he drives around town. Bell has found that campaigning has become a part of his every day life and that if you believe in something, spreading the word is easy. Bell campaigns in places as diverse as the gym after work and the gas station while pumping gas!

Part of the campaign process is fundraising and John has jumped into that activity. He organized and hosted a large fundraiser for Sager in late July. There were nearly 150 guests in attendance, which made the event a huge success for the campaign. In addition to this fundraiser, John also attends others on the both the state and local levels throughout the year. For John, the words ‘every little bit helps’ really means something, so he also donates personal funds to other candidates whom he supports.

Bell has also gotten family, friends and co-worker involved in this campaign. Sometimes the introductions lead to monetary contributions and other times it leads to additional volunteers. John’s parents are even hosting a “Meet and Greet” for Sager in the fall. These introductions are a testament to how much John believes in his candidate! John’s philosophy about campaign involvement has evolved too. He knows politics can take a lot out of someone who doesn’t have their heart in it and he is grateful for being given the opportunity to act as a voice for a man in whom he believes. Bell has also found it gives him peace of mind knowing that standing for what you believe in not only resonates in how others view you, but also in how you live your life. An added bonus – John has gotten to meet so many wonderful people throughout the great State of North Carolina.

John is also active in his local community in other ways. He serves on the Board of the United Way of Wayne County; the Boy Scouts of America District Committee; the Wayne County Boys and Girls Club Board; the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Development Committee; acts as Vice President for the Mount Olive Jaycees; is a member of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Leadership; the Wayne County Board of Regents; and serves as Chairman of the Alumni Advisory Board of the NC Delta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He is also involved with Rotary International.

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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