Last Friday, California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas joined several credit union leaders at a Golden 1 Credit Union branch visit within his district in the greater Salinas, CA region. The speaker is the most important legislator in the California State Assembly.

This is a real moment in credit union advocacy efforts — a marker on the marathon that is credit union advocacy.

The speaker was able to be a real-time witness to the industry’s narrative, with credit unions providing him incredible insights into how they show their value to members and communities. He heard testimonials like:

• Santa Cruz Community Credit Union’s hands-on work with the Pajaro Alliance to help a community rebuild after a devastating levee breach, along with plans to park its mobile branch on a local business owner’s property, making it the only banking access point in town. The credit unio also spoke about its Asset Safety Plan for ITIN members.
• Premier One Credit Union’s lending for ITIN holders, mobile home loans, and Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) programs, including a powerful story of helping a member escape a predatory subprime lender.
• Golden 1 Credit Union’s Financial Empowerment Centers and youth certification programs.
• Bay Federal Credit Union’s reminder of why credit unions do what they do, spotlighting the $2.4 million raised for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) during the most recent Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction.

Rivas is a credit union member, and several years ago he had the opportunity to serve as a bank teller. He gave a valuable piece of advice to credit union leaders: Be engaged at the local level. Invite legislators to your branch and show them the good work you are doing in the community.

California’s Credit Unions is your credit union’s partner in building legislative champions, owning the movement’s narrative, and showing that important value. The California league’s goal is to accelerate this initiative — which is why it is asking for help from credit unions:

• Continue to partner with the California league’s team to identify which state and federal lawmakers in your area haven’t seen the credit union difference firsthand — but need to.
• Let the league know when your credit union participates in not just events with state legislators or members of Congress, but also mayors, city councils, and county supervisors. The league tracks participation as part of its ongoing Advancing Communities Together
• Send the league your community impact posters (and favorite member campaign efforts) to display in the Sacramento office conference room so legislators, their staff, and the advocacy community can see your work every time they visit (which is frequently).

To help the league track these efforts, please email Desiree De Necochea.

Credit union leaders brought this energy to the Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) and Government Relations Rally (GRR) earlier this year, but it takes more than an annual visit in either capitol. Let’s continue to build momentum outside of the capitols and engage with our communities.