Advocacy empowers people and makes their voices count by supporting or promoting a cause or policy, CUNA Manager of Associate Business Memberships Michelle Johnson wrote in CUInsight this week. Credit unions have advocates at local, state and federal levels who defend the interests of the industry as a whole. 

"Some businesses working closely with the credit union industry opt to become official business advocates, providing an opportunity to help advocate for the credit union movement," she wrote. "CUNA Associate Business Members (ABMs) are businesses who work with and support credit unions. The membership fee they pay goes directly to advocacy efforts, helping credit unions speak up for themselves to legislators and regulators. This way, the business can show it cares about credit unions and their members."

She noted recent credit union advocacy efforts, including 

• Passage of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. 
• Protecting the credit union tax status
• Opposing the Credit Card Competition Act.
• The U.S. Supreme Court issuing an opinion with a credit union-approved narrower definition of an automatic telephone dialing system. 
• Removing increased Internal Revenue Service reporting from the Build Back Better Act. 

"The act of advocacy not only creates awareness about important issues but also encourages others to act. By bringing attention to these issues, advocates can inspire changes that make a positive impact on people’s lives," Johnson wrote. "Advocacy helps individuals become more confident and knowledgeable about their rights and needs, ensuring everyone’s views and wishes are considered when decisions are made. This way, people can have more control over their day-to-day and work toward the life they want to live."