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League Board Chairman David Desjardins and League President/CEO Todd Mason at the GAC’s opening ceremony.
This week, representatives from 20 different Maine credit unions were in Washington, DC, for the Credit Union National Association’s Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC). This important event provided a critical opportunity for credit unions and league partners to network with each other and advance the credit union movement through the power of advocacy.
On Tuesday, Maine attendees joined the League for a congressional breakfast where all four members of Maine’s delegation addressed more than 90 credit union advocates.
“It was great to meet with our elected officials, and as always, it’s an honor to see the strength of their support for our credit union principles,” said Robert Caverly, League Vice President of Advocacy and Outreach.
“It was fantastic to have our elected officials echo our priorities and celebrate our achievements throughout Maine,” said Todd Mason, League President/CEO. “When I hear them repeating our talking points back to us, I know we’re succeeding on an advocacy front.”
Maine’s credit union representatives walk the halls of the U.S. Capitol building.
Throughout the week, the power of stories to connect people was emphasized as a way to showcase the credit union difference. From Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to individual breakout rooms available to conference attendees, policymakers at all levels emphasized the importance of sharing member successes. Former Secretary Rice challenged GAC attendees to think about the future and what stories will be told in the years ahead because of the work credit unions are doing today.
To close out the GAC, the League (joined by several Maine credit union advocates) led policy meetings with the congressional staff for each of the delegation members. League advocates spoke about the Credit Union Board Modernization Act, a new bill to exempt veteran-owned business lending from the Member Business Lending cap, and proposals around changes to the payment processing infrastructure.
Maine’s delegation breakfast.