Cause and effect. It's the relationship between events or things, where one is the result of the other or others. Examples? I need milk so I'll go to the grocery store on my way home. A baby is crying so her dad picks her up. A massive twister hit Auntie Em's house so Dorothy and Toto wind up in the wonderful Land of Oz. You get the idea.

The theme for the 2016 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference is "Powerful Cause, Positive Effect." Hmmm. Credit unions are a powerful cause. Check. Their work to serve members and improve members' financial well-being has a positive effect. Check. The GAC theme epitomizes the credit union movement as well as the possibilities to truly link your credit union's mission with your philanthropic efforts.

Philanthropy is embedded in the DNA of credit unions. Credit unions contribute – a lot – to a variety of national and local causes, cementing their place as institutions that care about member and community well-being. "Not for profit, not for charity but for service" – that's the system motto. When credit unions link their mission to their philanthropy, that's both a powerful cause and powerful effect.