WASHINGTON–In conjunction with the beginning of presidential primary season, CUNA has launched “Credit Unions Vote,” a campaign focused on getting credit union members to vote in the November elections.
In a statement, CUNA said the credit union movement fosters an environment of community involvement and is encouraging members to make their voice heard with their vote.
“Credit unions understand that elections directly affect their members,” said CUNA Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer for Political Action Trey Hawkins. “With the ‘Credit Unions Vote’ campaign we will be reaching out to America's credit unions to make sure they understand how these elections affect them as part of a credit union community, and to encourage their members to get out and vote this November.”
Understanding Their ‘Stake’
According to CUNA, the goal of the campaign is to ensure consumers understand their stake in the electoral process both as credit union members and citizens of the country. CUNA pointed to recent data it said found 44% of registered voters belong to a credit union.
“By visiting creditunionsvote.com, credit union members can register to vote, participate in early voting and locate their polling place,” CUNA said. “Those who use the website can also share social media posts using the hashtag #CreditUnionsVote to help raise awareness for the cause.”
CUNA added its “Credit Unions Vote” campaign is part of the trade group’s Member Activation Program (MAP), a program designed for credit unions to get their members engaged in advocacy. CUNA said it provides customizable content geared around specific campaigns allowing individual credit unions to deliver the content to members, which in turn empowers members to discover new ways to play a role in the future of their credit union.
In addition, CUNA said, MAP has a virtual community to ask questions, get feedback and share results and resources with credit unions around the country. Throughout the year, CUNA will be working with MAP participants to increase voter registration and turnout in the 2020 election.
CUNA Mutual Recognized as a ‘Visionary’
Separately, CUNA Mutual Group has been recognized by CUNA as an exclusive Founding Visionary for Credit Union Awareness as the organization increases it pledge of support to $3 million for the Open Your Eyes to a Credit Union campaign.
CUNA Mutual Group first announced a $1 million pledge in 2019 and has extended its support by contributing $1 million for 2020, and 2021, CUNA noted.
“We are enormously grateful for the support CUNA Mutual Group has lent to Credit Union Awareness since its early inception,” said Chris Lorence, executive director, Credit Union Awareness, which oversees the Open Your Eyes to a Credit Union campaign. “As a Founding Visionary, CUNA Mutual Group has established itself as a leading supporter of credit unions now and in the future. Their generous contribution not only provides financial security for the campaign, it establishes a touchstone for the rest of the credit union movement to participate in this critical effort to raise consumer consideration of credit unions."
CUNA Mutual Group is one of 750 contributing organizations to Credit Union Awareness, including credit unions, leagues and system partners, that have pledged more than $46 million over three years.
A ‘Significant Priority’
“Helping credit unions serve more consumers in more ways is a significant priority for CUNA Mutual Group,” said CUNA Mutual Group President and CEO Robert N. Trunzo. “CUNA and the leagues have done a tremendous job increasing awareness and consideration of credit unions to help consumers achieve brighter financial futures. We are proud to provide both financial and strategic support as a founding visionary of the Open Your Eyes initiative.”
According to CUNA, the Open Your Eyes to a Credit Union campaign is now running in 19 states across the country, including five new states that launched Jan. 6. As of Dec. 31, 2019, the campaign has gained 465 million impressions, earned 133 million video views, and tallied 802,000 website sessions, CUNA said.