SEATTLE–Credit unions are making plans to be seen and heard when the 2015 Legislative Summit of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) is held here in early August.
CUNA, the American Association of Credit Union Leagues, CUNA Mutual Group and credit unions in the state of Washington are backing a coordinated effort to raise the visibility of credit unions, beginning with the moment legislators and their staff members arrive at SeaTac International Airport here.
According to the Northwest CU Association, credit unions will have their messaging prominently displayed in the baggage claim areas, where 1.5 million travelers will be picking up luggage during the four-week period. Credit union messaging will also be prominent on the light rail transit that attendees will use to make their way to the convention hotel.
“It is important that state legislators appreciate the credit union value proposition,” explained Troy Stang, president/CEO of the NWCUA, in a statement.
As a representative of this year’s host-city, Seattle, Stang is leading the charge among his fellow state league and association executives to guarantee a lasting and memorable credit union presence when the lawmakers come to town, according to the NWCUA.
“Our success in delivering a strong and influential message to these state lawmakers on behalf of more than 100 million credit union members can only be made possible by our own ability to collaborate and support one another in this effort months before the first visitors ever arrive,” Stang said.
American Association of Credit Union Leagues’ Chair Tracie Kenyon, president/CEO of the Montana Credit Union Network, said that the leagues, CUNA and CUNA Mutual Group will demonstrate a strong presence at NCSL’s annual gathering, viewed by many as a bipartisan event serving the interests of both Republicans and Democrats alike.
The NCSL isn’t just for networking, as policy is also developed during the meeting. Legislators and staff from across the country participate in NCSL’s eight standing committees and they adopt policies under its rules of procedure for consideration at the annual business meeting held during the Legislative Summit. If two-thirds of the states in attendance approve them, the policies become the backbone of NCSL’s efforts to fight unwarranted federal preemption of state laws, unfunded mandates and federal legislation that threatens state authority and autonomy.
The NWCUA said that in addition to the credit union posters and banners that will adorn SeaTac International Airport, state lawmakers can expect to see hosts of volunteers sporting green tee-shirts with America’s Credit Unions emblazoned on the sleeve, along with colorful welcome pennants strung along the avenues of Seattle.