Direct Political Involvement

Political involvement must be a year-round effort. Continuous political and civic involvement will allow credit unions to position themselves as centers of community activity and credit union officials as local opinion leaders. Credit unions can position themselves by:

• Being involved in local charities and community activities
• Offering boardrooms and other space for community activities
• Encouraging staff members to participate in local organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce
• Hosting a community wide lunch-and-learn series on financial counseling or budgeting; take the program to high schools in your area
• Establishing effective relationships with the local media to promote credit union involvement in appropriate activities

When the campaign season does roll around, remember that campaigns are run on two things: money and volunteers. Credit Unions have the ability to provide both. As individuals, or as a group, we can help a campaign by:

• Hosting a legislator's visit to the credit union or to a chapter meeting
• Volunteering at the campaign office
• Participating in or organizing volunteers for door-to-door canvassing, distributing flyers and yard signs, or conducting phone banks on behalf of a candidate
• Organizing a Get Out the Vote effort

More Information

Copyright © 2008 - Credit Union National Association, Inc.