TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Credit Union League's Credit Union Political Action Committee has surpassed all previous records for fundraising and nearly doubled the goal it set for itself for 2003. CUPAC raised $472,466.14, a total that exceeded the 2003 goal of $250,000 by more than $222,466. CUAPC is the political arm of the Florida League and contributes funds to candidates that CUPAC determines are supportive of credit union issues and philosophy. League President/CEO Guy Hood recalled that when he first became president in 1988, "we were raising something on the order of $6,000 annually. Credit unions have come a long way since those days and we are now considered major players in Florida politics." Florida CUPAC used different methods to help achieve its success. For example, campaigns were initiated to allow credit unions to give their "fair share," a number that was determined to be 10-cents for every credit union's members. That plan allowed even very small CUs to participate and feel comfortable they were giving what they could, said FCUL's EVP Aletta Shuttes. The League said the activity of the Florida bankers during 2003 also served as an incentive to credit unions to help finance CUPAC activities. Shuttes said what made the 2003 effort so remarkable is that it took place in a non-election year. "Political fundraising seems to be a constant now. Candidates have us on their phone lists and invite us to their campaign events on a regular basis."