POLITICAL ACTION & CANDIDATE FUNDRAISING

As we saw with H.R. 1151 in 1998, the ABA Field of Membership case in 1999 and the recent recommitment of the ABA to resolve the "credit union problem," the credit union movement is repeatedly attacked and therefore must keep a guard up. In fact, the credit union movement must remain vigilant and become politically proactive to survive the bankers' attacks that will intensify in the future.

The credit union movement's key to success with political action and fundraising is the long- term commitment and dedication by each individual credit union. The CEO and Board of each credit union must seek to understand the political environment facing the industry and commit resources to a well-developed plan. The following table identifies the essential components to any well- developed political action plan. The table provides a good basic model for credit unions to use in developing and maintaining an effective approach to political action and fundraising. Note: Insure that you have signed a permission agreement with your league for CULAC solicitations.

Model for Political Action and Candidate Fundraising

What Should be Done Why Should it be Done What Resources
are Available		 Who Should Champion
1. CEO champions political action as an important issue to the credit union 1. Gives direction and emphasis to the organization 1. Benchmark with peer credit unions that have strong political action programs CEO
2. Develop a Board- approved plan for political action and fund- raising that is integrated with the strategic plan of the credit union. Insure that the plan defines specific goals and objectives and assigns responsibility. 1. Educates Board
2. Gives focus to political action
3. Provides structure and process
4. Insures commitment and understanding by the Board		 1. Coordinate your efforts with your state league representative
2. CUNA's Political Action Handbook
3. Benchmark with peer credit unions that have strong political action programs.		 CEO/Board
3. Insure the CEO and Board job descriptions include expectations for political action and fundraising 1. Provides corporate focus to political action and fundraising by making it a job requirement 1. Work with peer credit unions that have done this
2. CULAC and state leagues are a resource		 CEO/Board
4. Establish a Governmental Affairs committee within the Board structure 1. Provides ongoing and commitment focus to political action
2. Insures ongoing Board involvement		 1. Work with peer credit unions who have done this
2. CULAC and state leagues are a resource
3. CUNA's Political Action Handbook		 CEO
5. Insure political action issues are a routine agenda item at Board meetings 1. Promotes education and understanding of political issues
2. Raises Board aware- ness		 1. Stay abreast of political developments through state league, CUNA and CULAC contacts CEO/Board
6. Implement the Deduct- A-Buck" program at your credit union. 1. Provides financial support to political representatives
2. Provides for broad- based participation by members
3. Easy to do
4. Minimal cost
5. "Evergreen" deductions
6. Very successful		 1. A Deduct-A-Buck solicitation kit is available through the league that includes everything needed.
2. CULAC is a resource

Note: Insure that you have signed a permission agreement with your league for CULAC solicitations.		 CEO/Board
7. Involvement in election campaigns

(Example: Volunteer to chair one of the candidates election committees.)		 1. Builds and maintains a personal rapport with legislators
2. Strong bonds result from establishing credit union support before they are elected		 1. Coordinate your efforts with your state league representative
2. CUNA's Political Action Handbook		 CEO/Board
8. Sponsor political fund raising events 1. Establishes a credit union-based link to the representative
2. Support of fundraising provides "face" with the candidate for future credit union issues		 1. Coordinate your efforts with your state league representative
2. CUNA's Political Action Handbook
3. Work closely with CULAC
4. Work with other credit unions
5. Federal Election Commission is a resource
6. Use legal resource and perform due diligence

Note: Insure that your invitees have signed a permission agreement with your league for CULAC solicitations.		 CEO/Board
9. Attend state and local political party events. 1. Opportunity to meet, get to know and influence politicians on credit union issues 1. Coordinate your efforts with you state league representatives

Note: Insure that you have signed a permission agreement with your league for CULAC solicitations.		 CEO/Board
10. Recognize staff, members and volunteers who support political action and fundraising. 1. Recognizes individual contribution
2. Reinforces importance of political action to the credit union
3. Increases support for future efforts
4. Reinforces achievement of political action goals and objectives		 1. Review plans for recognition with CULAC and state league to insure compliance. CEO/Board
11. Proactively develop and maintain a relationship with legislators.

(Examples: Feature legislators in your news- letter, give them a tour of your facility, allow them to "work" the teller line at your credit union, sponsor a legislator appreciation event, invite them to a board or chapter meeting and say thanks)		 1. Establishes and maintains a trust relationship with the credit union
2. Builds "face" with legislators to use regarding future credit union issues		 1. Coordinate efforts with state league and area credit unions to maximize results CEO
12. Stay abreast of political events 1. Essential to be current on political developments to have credibility with legislators, board and staff 1. Attend CUNA GAC and other conferences focused on political issues
2. Subscribe to and read Credit Union Times, Credit Union Journal and other politically focused periodicals (CULAC and league are a resource)
3. Review issues with CULAC and league representatives		 CEO

When all credit unions have these programs in place, the credit union industry will dramatically increase its ability to favorably influence the political challenges facing them. In addition, minimal resources are required for any credit union to move forward with these components of a model political action plan.

The keys to making political action work successfully for your credit union:

  1. CEO must champion the importance of political action and candidate fundraising.
  2. Educate and keep your Board informed as to the ongoing political challenges facing the credit union industry.
  3. Ask for Board approval and support for political action initiatives.
  4. Get started by initiating a contact with the resources identified for those components of political action your credit union should implement.
Copyright © 2012 Credit Union National Association