CUNA News
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • Topics
    • Community Service
    • Compliance
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Credit Union System
    • Directors
    • Human Resources
    • Leadership
    • Lending
    • Marketing
    • Operations
    • Policy & Issues
    • Sales & Service
    • Technology
  • Credit Union Magazine
    • Buyers' Guide
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Edition
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Awards
    • Nominate Credit Union Hero
    • Nominate Credit Union Rock Star
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Jobs
  • Contact

News

Home » 4 traits of an effective advocate
Directors Management

4 traits of an effective advocate

Here's what leads to effective advocacy, according to CUNA’s Trey Hawkins.

July 19, 2018
One Comment
Trey Hawkins

If you’re invested in credit unions, then advocacy should matter to you, says Trey Hawkins, CUNA’s deputy chief advocacy officer for political action.

What happens in Washington, D.C., and in state capitals across the nation directly affects credit unions' ability to operate, he says.

“This stuff matters,” Hawkins tells CUNA Management School students in Madison, Wis. “It affects how you can serve your membership.”

Hawkins highlights four traits of an effective credit union advocate:

1. Be knowledgeable

  • Know what you're talking about. Know your credit union’s mission, challenges, and needs.

  • Know the targets of your advocacy (lawmakers, regulators, the media).

  • Learn all you can about public policy issues affecting your credit union.

2. Be involved

  • Represent your credit union in the community.

  • Volunteer for local causes, charities, and committees.

  • Build relationships with community leaders, politicians, reporters, and key influencers.

3. Be willing

  • Respond to calls to action.

  • Participate in advocacy events.

  • Interact with lawmakers in Capitol Hill meetings, district office meetings, town halls, fundraisers, and credit union tours.

  • Build relationships with lawmakers and their staff.

  • Encourage your board, management, employees, and members to participate in advocacy.

4. Be passionate

  • No one knows or cares more about your credit union, its mission, and members than you do. Own your passion and bring it to your advocacy.

“If those most invested in the success of credit unions don’t advocate, who will?” asks Hawkins.

KEYWORDS advocacy CUNA Management School

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Credit Union Magazine: Winter 2022

Winter 2022

Credit Union Magazine’s Winter 2022 issue highlights data-driven marketing, the board’s role in cybersecurity, elder abuse scams, credit unions’ auto lending advantage, and more.
Digital Edition •  Subscribe

Trending

  • House passes CUNA, League-led board modernization bill

  • CFPB issues CUNA-opposed proposal on credit card late fees

  • Key committee leaders supportive of credit union priorities

Tweets by CUNA_News

Polls

Vote for the 2023 CU Hero of the Year

View Results
More

Champion for the Credit Union Movement

Credit Union National Association is the most influential financial services trade association and the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America's credit unions. We work tirelessly to protect your best interests in Washington and all 50 states. We fuel your professional growth at every level and champion the credit union story at every turn.

More CUNA

  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • Careers

Resources for

  • Credit Union Advocates
  • Leagues
  • Press
  • Providers

Our Affiliates

  • American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL)
  • Credit Union Awareness
  • Credit Union House
  • CUNA Strategic Services
  • National Credit Union Foundation
GET CUNA UPDATES
© 2023 Credit Union National Association | ADA Compliance Notice & Legal
Email Us