Youth Literacy Creates New California Credit Union Job Titles

LAS VEGAS – Credit union outreach and financial literacy campaigns are producing a new offspring of community “lobbyists” and with that some new job titles among California CUs. “I think there are maybe 10 to 15 of us that now devote all of our time to this area and have this kind of title,” declared Richard W. Cooper, vice president of government and community relations at Telesis Community CU in Chatsworth. Cooper, joined by another Californian with similar duties, Orlandus Waters, executive vice president of Financial Partners Credit Union in Downey, were speakers at a panel session at the California/Nevada Credit Union Leagues’ annual convention here. “This whole program of ours fits not only into the `people to people’ concept but also into building new relationships with businesses,” said Waters appearing on the panel dealing with progress of the California Youth Involvement Network Roundtable. In his remarks, Cooper urged CU executives involved in outreach to pay closer attention to Girl Scout organizations, housing and school Key Club groups as some key sources for gaining wide media exposure and in the final analysis attracting new members through parent ties. A former marketer, Cooper said his duties these days encompass long hours spent with an array of civic groups ranging from fair housing councils to single mother/domestic violence victims. But this kind of approach is required if the CU expects to demonstrate public advocacy.