It’s critically important that credit unions show their work by showing up, CUNA Chief Advocacy Officer Ryan Donovan wrote in CUInsight. As the 2022 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) approaches, Donovan said CUNA GAC (Feb. 27 to March 3) is the time for credit unions to hammer home the credit union difference to policymakers.

“CUNA GAC is our opportunity to defend the future of our movement by meeting with lawmakers to reinforce what makes credit unions consumers’ best financial partner. It’s about keeping credit unions relevant in a rapidly changing financial marketplace,” Donovan wrote. “And it’s about making small changes that enhance our operational efficiency, so that we can deliver the best financial solutions to our members.”

He added that it’s about “connecting the dots” for policymakers, by showing them the direct benefits credit unions can bring to their constituents.

“That bill to expand field of membership? It’s so that this credit union can fill a banking desert in the next county over. This loan maturity limit legislation? It will allow us to support local students. Every day, financial first responders write these stories just by doing their jobs,” Donovan wrote. “CUNA GAC is the chance to tell those stories and build the future of our movement. Our advocacy efforts will not succeed without the experiences you bring to GAC and share with your lawmakers.”