ARLINGTON, Va. — In light of the recent election season, NAFCU's November 2006 Flash Report looked into credit unions' political involvement and discovered that most credit unions surveyed are politically active. Eighty percent said either a board member or senior staffer had contacted their member of Congress within the last year. Most, 78%, had made in-person visits while 34% had written e-mails, 29% contacted their members "in writing," and 15% had called their members. Another 20% said their members of Congress had visited their credit unions in the last 12 months. These credit union officials discussed a wide range of issues from the Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act and regulatory relief (85%) to taxation (72%) to data security (18%). Other issues discussed included business lending, payday lending, credit union conversions and municipal deposits. "Credit unions appeared to be active in encouraging both their staff and members to vote and become more politically active," the Flash read. "Some commonly cited methods used to encourage staff and members included emails to staff, branch displays, articles in newsletters, and sending statement stuffers to members. In addition, many of the credit unions indicated that political involvement is regularly discussed at staff meetings, while others responded that they were active in fund raising." –[email protected]