Overall I agreed with the Editor-in-Chief's column (Sept. 30 issue) and its direction. However, I feel you missed an important opportunity as it relates to volunteers.
The paragraph dealing with home district meetings states, in part, "Every credit union needs a designated lobbyist, such as the CEO or business development specialist." This, in my view, misses the mark by not addressing the need for volunteers to be doing our lobbying, especially during home site visits.
If we want to maintain that credit unions are different from other financial institutions and we are, volunteers need to be our lobbying face with staff supporting us. The elected officials I know understand a need for professional staff but really listen and are impressed when volunteers take the time to know, understand and articulate credit union needs directly to them.
This does not mean our CEOs and professional staffs do not have a vital role to play, but it does mean volunteers should be the face that tells our story. Also any visit at home district offices, or in Washington, should always include an offer to further assist either the elected official or their staffs if they have questions and, even more importantly, a thank you for their time.
William Rupp
Director
Unity One Federal Credit Union
Fort Worth, Texas
The paragraph dealing with home district meetings states, in part, "Every credit union needs a designated lobbyist, such as the CEO or business development specialist." This, in my view, misses the mark by not addressing the need for volunteers to be doing our lobbying, especially during home site visits.
If we want to maintain that credit unions are different from other financial institutions and we are, volunteers need to be our lobbying face with staff supporting us. The elected officials I know understand a need for professional staff but really listen and are impressed when volunteers take the time to know, understand and articulate credit union needs directly to them.
This does not mean our CEOs and professional staffs do not have a vital role to play, but it does mean volunteers should be the face that tells our story. Also any visit at home district offices, or in Washington, should always include an offer to further assist either the elected official or their staffs if they have questions and, even more importantly, a thank you for their time.
William Rupp
Director
Unity One Federal Credit Union
Fort Worth, Texas
