DENVER–Members of the Mountain West Credit Union Association’s Young Professionals Group (MWYCUP) spent a week in Washington to learn processes and gain understanding of the importance of representing credit union interests to elected officials. Through the Legislative Learning Experience and Hike the Hill, the MWCUA said the group spent time learning about advocacy efforts, regulatory process and legislative priorities.
“Our first venture last year was tremendously successful based on the feedback from both the participants and their credit unions,” said Timothy Dore, SVP-government affairs for MWCUA. “This year’s group was enthusiastic and engaged from the minute they were selected.”
Young professionals are encouraged to submit an application letter to the association. Two were chosen from each of the three states in the Mountain West region: Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming. The Young Professionals Hike is a partnership between the association and the Mountain West Credit Union Foundation. The foundation issues a scholarship to each participant that covers their trip expenses.
The group met with NCUA and CUNA’s advocacy team, and held meetings with the staffs of Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO), Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO), and Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and his staff.
The Young Professionals group, led by Tyler Valentine, CEO of Laramie Plains Federal Credit Union included: Austin Cain from TruWest Credit Union, Stephanie Yasar from OneAZ Credit Union, Matt McKerley from Arapahoe Credit Union, Sarae Kurth from Denver Community Credit Union, Kianna Smith from Reliant Federal Credit Union, and Dani Blakeman from Trona Valley Federal Credit Union.
The group documented the trip using their Instagram account, which can be seen here.