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The CU Journal asked state leagues: The primary lesson for CUs over the past 10 years has been the importance of advocacy. What do you consider your most effective advocacy effort, how has it evolved, and where would you like to improve? Below are their responses.

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ALABAMA

BIRMINGHAMThe Alabama Credit Union League works very hard to lobby lawmakers, provide financial support for credit union-friendly candidates, organize and participate in Hike-the-Hill visits for Congress and the State Legislature. We are constantly working to strengthen our grassroots and key contact program, called Credit Union Ambassadors and to show the strength of our numbers through Project Zip Code. These important programs all have a valuable role to play in our overall advocacy efforts.

One unique program of the Alabama Credit Union League is CU-Vote. The mission of CU-Vote is to educate the general public, credit union members, and lawmakers and candidates about the credit union difference. This is not a substitute for traditional lobbying and political activity, but rather a way to strengthen those activities, as well as provide increased visibility for credit unions in the financial marketplace.

Each component of our advocacy effort is very important, and each serves a distinct function. But without a doubt, the most important tool we have is the commitment of the men and women of the credit unions of Alabama to support these programs. Without the effort of the people who make up the credit union movement, no program, no matter how well designed, can possibly work. It is imperative that we constantly strengthen our efforts in implementing advocacy programs, and it is critical that the people who make up the credit union movement strengthen their commitment to support credit union advocacy.

ALASKA

ANCHORAGEThe education of tomorrows leaders and consumers, including CU members, continues to be an important pitch for the Alaska Credit Union League (ACUL). For the past few years, ACUL has sponsored the National Theater of Youth programs in a series of middle (intermediate) schools across Alaska. Hundreds of students have attended these informative, high-energy shows which help prepare them to become better savers and financial planners.

Alaskas credit unions are getting into the schoolsfrom elementary schools up to collegesto spread the word about financial education and responsibility. Several ACUL-member institutions have won awards from their local school districts for school-business partnerships and efforts to encourage financial education among young Alaskans.

Some national studies have shown Americans receive, by the time they graduate from college, an average of eight hours of financial education.

Thats rightweve spent a total of eight hours preparing our members and consumers for a lifetime of financial activity!

ACUL encourages its members to maintain this push for financial knowledgeall of us, as financial institutions and as corporate citizens interested in the best for our communitiesrecognize the best way to build success for our members starts at an early age, and we will continue to show that Alaskas credit unions are making a difference.

Just as important to us is the fact that as we show tomorrows consumers and members that credit unions are willing to take the extra step to show we care for their financial futures, we are building a constituency which will support credit unions in the legislative forums of the future.

ARIZONA

PHOENIXOver the last 10 years, our member credit unions and board of directors made advocacy the number one priority at the Arizona Credit Union League. Because of the commitment of our credit unions, our most successful advocacy effort has been credit union involvement in political efforts. The Arizona league created a program called Political Captains, which is designed to assist the league in reaching volunteers and employees of each credit union.

The Political Captain program has allowed us to recruit new credit union advocates to the point where we are able host credit union specific political events such as: phone banking, petition walks and fundraisers. In addition, credit unions are now seeking out more opportunities to become credit union advocates. Our participation in the State GAC continues to grow each year and credit unions are beginning to invite lawmakers to their credit unions for tours and grand openings.

Although there has been initial success with the program, we do recognize the need to improve the program. One area, is recruiting new members to our political network. Oftentimes we see the same advocates attending political function. We need to grow and expand our network to get new people as enthusiastic and effective as our current advocates.

ARKANSAS

LITTLE ROCKOne of Arkansas most effective advocacy efforts is our mid-year CU House reception we hold for our legislators and their staff. This began several years ago as a way to visit informally with our representatives and senators. It has evolved into the event that our legislators contact us about to ensure they get the dates on their calendars. Every year, we hear how much they appreciate us traveling to Washington to visit with them with no other agenda attached. They are amazed we come only to have the reception for them.

CALIFORNIA/NEVADA

RANCHO CUCAMONGAThe California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues identified that current campaign finance laws make Independent Expenditures (I.E.) a great way to help elect candidates. An I.E. is a political contribution that can come in various forms, such as TV ads, mailers, or a phone campaign.

These campaigns are done on a larger scale than standard Political Advocacy Campaign (PAC) donations, and can make the difference between winning and losing an election.

The leagues have been on the forefront of Independent Expenditures and have effectively elevated credit union advocacy to the same level as some of the most politically powerful associations in our states.

Being active in I.E.s has been vital to the success of California and Nevada credit union advocacy efforts. But participating in I.E.s does not supplant the need to develop relationships and educate candidates about credit unions before they run for state office. The leagues will continue to identify future credit union leaders at the local government level, often supporting their first run for public office. We also maintain close ties with and provide campaign support for local community leaders who understand financial services and know the great work credit unions do in their communities.

Indeed, credit unions in the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues understand the importance of providing financial support to candidates and PAC funding helps to ensure credit union supporters are elected in todays increasingly competitive campaigns.

COLORADO/WYOMING

ARVADAThe Credit Union Associations of Colorado and Wyoming continue to emphasize political advocacy as a tool to spur credit union growth and strengthen our state movements, which represents over one in three citizens in Colorado and Wyoming.

Lobbying is an important tool in our arsenal, but the key to our success will revolve around grassroots organizing, political fund raising and endorsing credit-union friendly candidates. Using all these tools, in 2007 we:

* Doubled the number of Colorado CURIA co-sponsors, including the Deputy House Democratic Whip;

* Increased our grassroots advocates under the leadership of Chris Kemm in both states by 2,100 which is pacing the nation;

* Expanded our fund raising potential with the hiring of a new coordinator; Courtney Staatz; and

* Created a deeper advocacy bench with the hiring of Timothy Dore as new Sr. Vice-President for Government...

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