State Leagues, Others Donate Millions for Pandemic Relief Efforts
The trade organizations hold thousands of meetings with legislators and regulators that influenced 245 pandemic-related bills.
The industry’s credit union leagues donated nearly $3.7 million to credit unions and community groups that supported COVID-19 relief efforts, according to a survey of the nation’s state trade organizations conducted by the American Association of Credit Union Leagues.
Beyond the multi-million-dollar monetary contributions, however, the leagues held more than 2,700 meetings with legislators, regulatory agencies, governors’ offices and leadership since mid-March, the AACUL reported.
Additionally, the nation’s leagues also hosted 1,475 different virtual sessions with lawmakers and regulators at both the state and federal level for their credit union members.
Since travel was not required, the virtual meetings boosted turnout for Hike the Hill events as 3,560 credit union employees and board members talked with nearly 500 members of Congress to advocate the industry’s priorities during the coronavirus crisis.
These relationships with policymakers were instrumental in advancing credit union advocacy efforts that influenced 245 pandemic-related bills, governors’ orders and regulations, according to the AACUL.
The state trade associations also hosted 1,275 virtual meetings including town halls, forums, webinars, CEO calls, council calls and educational events featuring almost 850 subject matter experts to facilitate dialogue and collaboration among credit unions and to inform credit unions about compliance, regulation, HR and other pressing pandemic issues.
League leaders also participated in more than 500 media interviews.
An Oct. 28 article in CU Times featured an in-depth look at how the state leagues quickly stepped up their efforts to help credit unions manage through the coronavirus health and economic crisis.
“The collaboration among leagues during this pandemic is a true testament to our movement – and credit unions nationwide have benefited greatly from this cooperation,” AACUL Executive Director Brad Miller said. “It’s impressive how effectively and efficiently leagues have been operating on behalf of their credit unions.”