RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Altura Credit Union has recently staged "meet and greet" events between elected officials and its employees.
The meetings are designed to reach out, engage and inform local politicians as well as its own employees.
"With the constant attacks from bankers, we decided to take action in our own community to inform local politicians and to encourage our employees to engage in the political process," said Ricki McManuis, Altura senior vice president of marketing and corporate communication, which now also includes the government affairs function. "Although it may seem that broad measures are required to counter these attacks, we believe that many small steps can make a difference."
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Altura Government Affairs Officer Bennie Tinson has staged two events so far – one in Hemet and one in Riverside. Hemet City Councilman Jim Ayres, who is now running for state assembly, met with Altura's Hemet branch staff for 30-45 minutes. In Riverside, Councilmen Andy Melendrez and Dom Betro and Riverside Assistant City Manager Michael Beck met with staffers at Altura's headquarters.
"Both meetings provided an opportunity for us to talk about our commitment to the community as a credit union," said Tinson. "We were able to talk about how we are different from banks and other financial institutions and how we help the underserved, including minority-owned small businesses."
Importantly, the events help make politics real for employees.
"We want our employees to understand the important role they can play, not just in the banker versus credit unions issue, but in all issues. What better way than by bringing politicians to them," McManuis added.
Tinson, who was hired last year as Altura's first government affairs rep, has plans for more events and outreach to the local political community. "We really see the need. The two Riverside council members both belong to a credit union and yet, they didn't fully understand the products and services credit unions, Altura in particular, offer."
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