“I came to CUNA's Governmental Affairs Conference six or seven times during my service on the credit union's board of directors, sitting in the same chairs you are sitting in now and listening to the parade of speakers who would praise, promise and pontificate,” he said, adding to that two of the directors he served with in the 1990s were in the audience, still attending GAC.

For attendees meeting with lawmakers this week, Metsger provided an advocacy suggestion.

“If you really want to know the perspective your elected official has on the credit union industry and how it fits into the broader financial marketplace, I'd suggest that you start by asking a question, and listening to the answer, rather than by launching straight into your pitch,” he said. “Ask your elected representatives what they believe the primary differences are between credit unions and other financial services providers and why those differences are important to them. I believe the response you receive will give you a far better picture of where your Member of Congress stands and where your conversation should begin.”