As we look ahead, I want to underscore the vital importance of advocacy and the role each of us plays in ensuring our collective voice is heard.
Advocacy is not just about influencing a lawmaker’s vote. It is about explaining the political and legislative issues facing credit unions, educating on our cooperative structure and showing elected officials where we stand. In times of transition, our commitment to speaking up for credit unions and their members is more crucial than ever.
Why Advocacy Matters
At its core, advocacy allows individuals and communities to protect their rights, champion important causes and influence decisions that affect everyday lives. It has the power to address injustices, promote equality and spark positive social change. When we advocate on behalf of our credit unions, we share the unique stories of how we serve our members and communities—and why preserving and strengthening the credit union model is essential to the financial well-being of Tennesseans.
Navigating the Shifts in Washington
America’s political landscape is a constantly swinging pendulum of ideologies, and with each new administration, we encounter both fresh opportunities and new hurdles. While some believe in the protective and enhancing effects of regulations and new laws, others champion a more open market as the ideal approach. As the Tennessee Credit Union League, we listen to our member credit unions and identify the challenges they face in serving their communities.
Now that the administration is changing in Washington, we must reintroduce ourselves and reestablish our relationships, sharing again—and possibly in new ways—the needs of our credit unions to best serve their members.
Everyone’s Responsibility
It is important to remember that advocacy is not just the work of the League. It belongs to all of us. The old saying goes, “All politics is local,” and that rings true now more than ever.
Tax reform is on the agenda in Washington, and while the specifics remain uncertain, any changes could directly impact not just credit unions but the people we serve.
This is precisely why your story, our story, must be told—clearly, consistently and persistently.
Tennessee League: Your Advocate on the Front Lines
Lawmakers have the power to change the credit union landscape with the stroke of a pen. That’s why the Tennessee League stands guard on your behalf in both the state capital and in Washington—attending hearings, engaging with offices and walking the hallways where crucial decisions are made.
Through long-term legislative strategies, vigilance with regulatory agencies, keeping you informed of new developments and working to amplify the collective voice of credit unions, we strive to preserve an environment where our financial cooperatives not only exist but thrive.
Telling Our Story, Time and Again
We have shared our stories many times before, and we must continue to do so. The need for consistent engagement does not fade; it evolves. As leaders change, so must our approach.
Our message may need to be tailored to new audiences, but it remains steadfast: credit unions deliver vital services to communities and improve lives. We must keep up the drumbeat to ensure lawmakers understand how critical credit unions are to Tennesseans every day.
Share your credit union difference stories with us!
