Young professionals (YP) realize their role entails more than just their daily credit union duties.

And they know the movement’s future depends on their involvement in advocacy.

“There’s been a massive influx of interest and energy from YPs the last few years,” says Adam Engelman, CUNA’s director of federal grassroots advocacy. “They embody the credit union movement in the sense that they’re passionate about giving back to their communities. They see the good work credit unions are doing in their communities.”

Many YPs are advocating by meeting with elected officials, attending national conferences, participating in advocacy training events, and telling their stories through letters.

“Regardless of what your title is within the credit union,” Engelman says, “you should reserve some time to care about advocacy and to advocate on behalf of the credit union movement.”

Engelman explains why young professionals should get involved in advocacy, how they’re advocating, and more in this episode of the CUNA News Podcast.

He’ll address CUNA Young Professionals Advocacy Workshops Sept. 9 and Sept. 23 in Washington, D.C.

You can listen and subscribe to the CUNA News Podcast in Apple’s iTunes Store, Spotify, Google Play, and Stitcher Radio.

In this episode:

1:23: Being an advocate for the movement

2:20: Characteristics of a great advocate

6:21: CUNA programming and how to get involved in advocacy

10:14: A "massive influx of interest" from young professionals

11:46: Why there's an increased interest from young professionals

13:11: Getting directors involved

• CUNA National Young Professionals Conference