A show of solidarity among Virginia Credit Union League chapters recently resulted in a sea of red scarves flooding the lawn of the Commonwealth of Virginia's General Assembly Building in Richmond, Va.
The move also served as a bid to gain an audience with local delegates and state senators in order to discuss important legislative issues affecting credit unions while touting the safety and soundness of Virginia credit unions, and the industry as a whole, during turbulent economic times.
"I went to Richmond not knowing what to expect but hoping that my efforts would somehow make a difference," said Eric Amrhein, senior human resources generalist for Apple Federal Credit Union. "By that afternoon, my hopes were confirmed. As we drove back to Northern Virginia, I couldn't help but smile as I thought, 'we made our mark that day.'"
Although the VACUL did not have any bills up for vote during this session, there were legislative issues that required input from the local credit union industry. Financial elderly abuse, H.B. 2514, was an important talking point. The stance of the VACUL is that potentially subjecting credit union employees, acting in good faith, to civil penalties if it is eventually determined that financial elderly abuse has occurred on the part of the account's controlling parties is unfair. Credit union employees are not qualified to determine if a member is incapable of decision making, and, therefore, should not be held accountable. The VACUL is working with AARP to provide more education opportunities for credit union employees and staff.
--mdigiovanni@cutimes.com
The move also served as a bid to gain an audience with local delegates and state senators in order to discuss important legislative issues affecting credit unions while touting the safety and soundness of Virginia credit unions, and the industry as a whole, during turbulent economic times.
"I went to Richmond not knowing what to expect but hoping that my efforts would somehow make a difference," said Eric Amrhein, senior human resources generalist for Apple Federal Credit Union. "By that afternoon, my hopes were confirmed. As we drove back to Northern Virginia, I couldn't help but smile as I thought, 'we made our mark that day.'"
Although the VACUL did not have any bills up for vote during this session, there were legislative issues that required input from the local credit union industry. Financial elderly abuse, H.B. 2514, was an important talking point. The stance of the VACUL is that potentially subjecting credit union employees, acting in good faith, to civil penalties if it is eventually determined that financial elderly abuse has occurred on the part of the account's controlling parties is unfair. Credit union employees are not qualified to determine if a member is incapable of decision making, and, therefore, should not be held accountable. The VACUL is working with AARP to provide more education opportunities for credit union employees and staff.
--mdigiovanni@cutimes.com
