Berger Leadership Blog

At NAFCU, we often say that your voice is the most important voice in Washington. This isn’t just a talking point, it’s a fact. When it comes to credit union issues, no one is more qualified to speak on them than credit union leaders. Lawmakers also have the responsibility to listen to their constituents so when you reach out to your representative or senators, they listen.

While advocacy is a critical aspect of securing an operating environment for credit unions to thrive, we recognize that advocacy isn’t your only priority. You have members to take care of, credit unions to run. That’s where we come in.

NAFCU focuses its efforts on providing the best possible advocacy, compliance, and education to help you serve your members. When we speak with lawmakers and regulators, they listen to us, too. They listen because we’ve formed strong relationships with them. They listen because we’re informed – thanks to your direct feedback to surveys, participation on working groups, one-off conversations, or statements that inform our advocacy. We provide strategic solutions to specific problems thanks to your input, allowing us to give the industry its best chance for growth.

You also get involved by using our Grassroots Action Center and sending letters to lawmakers to request their support for industry-backed stances. I know many of you sent letters to lawmakers requesting that they oppose the big box bailout bill. If you haven’t done that yet, I strongly encourage you to head over to our grassroots page and do that.

Engagement isn’t only needed for our advocacy. As a direct-membership trade association, your input helps shape our organization and strategy. Since the announcement of the proposed CUNA-NAFCU merger, we have asked for your input. We’ve solicited your feedback to help form the vision for the proposed America’s Credit Unions. We’re holding CEO forums for you to ask questions. At every step, your feedback has been invited and encouraged. Without it, there is no chance of success.

A couple of weeks ago we sent a survey out to member CEOs to help shape the proposed America’s Credit Unions, should the merger be approved. Please take a moment to fill that out and ensure that, if this merger is approved, the new trade association can best help you grow and serve your members.

When we say that your voice matters in Washington, we mean it. You guide our efforts, ensure lawmakers and regulators are informed, and enable the industry to have a growth-friendly regulatory environment. You have the power to shape the future of the credit union industry. But it’s true: with great power comes great responsibility. Your responsibility is to speak up for your members, Main Street America, and the future of safe, secure, and reliable financial services. Our responsibility is to best serve you.