A group of 140 people from around the Sunflower State gathered in Topeka for the Kansas Credit Union Association's Annual Day at the Capitol on Feb. 7.

The Kansas Senate and House of Representatives recognized 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives during their sessions and Kansas credit unions were acknowledged for their role in the cooperative industry. The credit union staffers then met with lawmakers and each other to discuss the issues of the day.

That included 13 members of CUnext, the KCUA's Young Professionals Council. That group met with Department of Credit Unions administrator John Smith and House Speaker Pro Tem Representative Jene Vickrey and also met Gov. Sam Brownback.

“Since joining, I have been given excellent opportunities that I would not have had otherwise to meet and exchange ideas with my colleagues in the credit union world, “ said Farron Lynch, member services and Gen Y rep at the $69 million Central Star CU in Wichita. “I was introduced to a passion for the CU movement that was evident in all the executives, association staff and the lobbyists that work extremely hard to ensure the future of all Kansas credit unions.”

Kansas has 100 credit unions with about 625,000 members.

KCUA President/CEO Marla Marsh and Kansas Treasurer Ron Estes. Kansas credit unions partner with Estes' office to bring financial literacy programs like Money$mart camps to Kansas schools.

CUnexter Jaclyn Lawson, left, from Quest Credit Union, joins seasoned advocates and fellow Quest colleagues Vickie Hurt and Valerie Taylor, in meeting with State Rep. Kay Wolf, second from right, at the KCUA legislative reception.

The CUnext Young Professionals Council met with Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback during the annual Credit Union Day at the Capitol in Topeka on Feb. 7.