WASHINGTON — Citadel Federal Credit Union recently hosted its fourth successful fundraising event for Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.) in five years.
"We have been active for a very long time," Citadel Federal Credit Union Senior Vice President for Community and Governmental Affairs Carol Humenick said, adding that the board and management see political advocacy as one of the credit union's "corporate responsibilities."
She explained that the credit union has a separate government affairs business plan, sends representatives to the national credit union conventions in Washington, and meets with federal legislators within their districts as well as establishing relationships with the local politicians. "We're very much in tune to political activities that help our members," according to Humenick.
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Two years ago, Citadel opened up its events for other area credit unions to help host. The Pennsylvania Credit Union Association, Mid-Atlantic Corporate, and eight natural person credit unions in addition to Citadel sponsored the event that raised $10,000 for Gerlach. About 60 people attended the event at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Malvern, Pa., with around half of the participants representing Citadel. Humenick recounted, "One of my colleagues from the host committee called and said it was a model for how fundraisers should be organized."
Humenick said Citadel has a strong relationship with Gerlach, who represents the largest proportion of their membership. "That has been especially important because he serves on the Houses Committee on Financial Services," she said.
On the federal level, the credit union also works with freshman Congressman Joe Sestak (D-Pa.), who represents the second largest contingent of their membership. They met with him at the time he announced his co-sponsorship of the Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act (H.R. 1537).
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