Secondly, the PAC helps keep members regularly involved in credit union political issues so it is easier to call on them for a letter writing campaign or in crises, Schaefer said. "We always want to know that we can, which is why it's important for credit unions to constantly remind members that they are member-owners," he explained. He said Truliant's Deduct-a-Buck campaign currently has about 670 members participating and generates about $5,800 annually.

The AT&T lawsuit that spawned the Campaign for Consumer Choice and a change in leadership also prompted the initiation of Affinity FCU PAC, Affinity FCU Vice President of Member Development and Political Affairs Donna LoStocco said. "We've had our PAC over 10 years. John Fenton, our CEO had the opinion when he took over that there wasn't enough education with our lawmakers," she recalled. Affinity recognized the need for regular contact without crisis and, as the largest credit union in New Jersey, Affinity felt a certain responsibility.

Consistency was key in Wescom Credit Union's decision to start its PAC about two years ago, Vice President of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs Tom Orman said. "The first reason was it really allowed us to get the credit union message out to our members [of Congress]," he said. But, it also helped the credit union to organize its ad hoc efforts at fundraising over the years. "Now, it's a lot easier. We have a PAC, a PAC committee and a steady pool of contributors and we're more confident in how much money we have to give to credit union friends," according to Orman. The Center for Responsive Politics reported that Wescom had about $26,964 in receipts into its PAC and had made contributions to federal candidates totaling $19,400. Based in Pasadena, Calif., the credit union made contributions to credit union allies Brad Sherman (D) ($4,900), Brian Bilbray (R) ($2,000), and Ed Royce (R) ($1,000), among others.

For the remainder of the election season, Orman said Wescom did not budget how much more to spend, but would watch races and contribute where it saw credit union friends. "In California, a lot of races were decided in the primaries," he explained. Wescom also has a PAC for state legislators and would recommend that other credit unions start their own if they can. Truliant's Schaefer said his credit union also contributes to the state league for state government candidates. In fact, Representatives Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) and Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) came up from the state House, he pointed out. Schaefer admitted that McHenry's relationship with credit unions at the federal level was rocky to start with, but Truliant's relationship with him "was instrumental in my participating in the hearing on his bill." McHenry invited Schaefer to testify even though he knew he was against his legislation to curb NCUA's authority over mutual savings bank conversion disclosures.

"We have to be the people who have the interaction with the candidates on a personal and professional level," Schaefer explained to keep credit union grassroots alive. He pointed out that a Truliant board member was working on Foxx's campaign right now.

LoStocco agreed. After Affinity told Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) that he had 25,000 members in his district, "that's a different conversation than NAFCU would have." She suggested, if not a PAC, "What all credit unions should consider is being politically active."

NAFCU Director of Political Affairs Dillon Shea commented, "NAFCU encourages all credit unions to be as politically involved as possible. As you know, bank affiliated PACs outspend CU PACs considerably, so we are happy to see credit unions starting their own PACs in order to help decrease the gap."

CUNA declined to comment for the record.

LoStocco said she understood some peoples' wariness of politics and money because she used to be one of them. "I was not a political creature prior to taking on this role…What I've found is most legislators truly want to do the right thing for their constituents," LoStocco stated and then added, "I don't think it's the money so much as the education they look for."

Affinity FCU PAC has raised just over $32,000, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, and has made nearly $12,000 in contributions so far. Affinity reaches out to its employees rather than members to raise funds through blue jeans days for $5, once a month employee luncheons, or 50-50 raffles.

Truliant "does not take a position on the politics of it," Schaefer said; the PAC goes with credit union-friendly candidates and does not look at party designation. For those worried about campaign finance scandals of late, he said, "PACs are probably the least of the problems."

Schaefer added, "I would encourage others to consider forming PACs to supplement NAFCU/PAC and CULAC." –[email protected]