To be successful at lobbying, credit unions should approach legislators with a single, unified message.
Executives from the Wisconsin Credit Union League and a member credit union offered this advice during an Oct. 18 governmental affairs training program for 13 credit unions in the Dominican Republic.
The one-day workshop attracted 35 attendees representing 13 of the Asociación de Instituciones Rurales de Ahorro y Crédito 15 member credit unions.
Tom Liebe, WCUL's governmental affairs vice president, and others, urged participants to establish an advocacy position based on the benefits credit unions provide their members and to speak in a united voice when addressing government officials.
German Robles, assistant director of IDECOOP, the Dominican Republic's financial regulator, opened the workshop with his remarks.
"The lobbying workshop provided many tools we can use to more successfully lobby on behalf of credit unions," said Alfredo Dorejo, president/CEO of Cooperativa Mamoncito. "We also learned a little bit about public relations and the need to focus on member education to help our credit unions grow."
A delegation of 15 credit union volunteers and executives from the Dominican Republic also visited the World Council of Credit Union headquarters in Madison, Wis., WCUL's offices and credit unions in southern Wisconsin to study operations and other activities.
WOCCU arranged the Dominican Republic visit through its International Partnerships Program, which first paired WCUL with AIRAC in 2007.
