The Pulse
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Raising money for federal and state political action committees is critical for credit unions this election year. Dollars contributed to CULAC (CUNA’s PAC for federal candidates) and CUPAC (MnCUN’s PAC for state candidates) ensure that we continue to have credit union champions in all levels of elected office. To help credit unions remain strongly positioned politically, the Network has created a number of fundraising programs, including the Fair Share Program.
The Fair Share is a dollar amount per employee for credit unions to strive towards raising to support both PAC’s. The Network’s Political Involvement Committee last year set the Fair Share target at $30 per credit union employee per year. The below credit unions achieved their Fair Share goal for 2021:
The Network would like to express its gratitude for the fundraising efforts of all of our credit unions. We would also encourage all of our members to make a plan to try to hit their Fair Share goal for 2022. For any questions, please contact MnCUN’s Director of Government Affairs, Ryan Smith. Due to the rising number of COVID cases and logistical changes at the State Capitol, the Minnesota Credit Union Network is shifting IMPACT 22: CU Day at the Capitol to a virtual event.
Impact Day 22 will include a virtual legislative program on Wed., Feb. 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The session will touch on issues we’ll be working on at the Capitol and public affairs updates. MnCUN staff will also schedule virtual meetings with leaders from both bodies, and coordinate grassroots activities to connect with state legislators. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our Director of Government Affairs, Ryan Smith, at any time. IMPACT 22, formerly known as CU Day at the Capitol, provides credit union professionals and board members the unique opportunity to learn about legislative issues and meet with elected officials. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at the RiverCentre in St. Paul. Register now! Early bird discounts are available until Jan. 14, 2022.
This important advocacy event forms the foundation for a positive working relationship with legislators throughout the Legislative Session. Through informational sessions, legislative briefings, keynote speakers and legislative visits, IMPACT 22 brings the credit union message to elected officials. While we are hopeful to schedule meetings in person with legislators, please note that some meetings may need to be held virtually due to health and safety protocols. Access to the State Office Building is currently restricted and is likely to remain so throughout the 2022 legislative session. As in-person meetings are more effective and influential, MnCUN’s intention is to have as many with elected officials as possible. We will update attendees as we get new information and as our plans form around the most current circumstances. With questions, contact Ryan Smith, Director of Government Affairs by email. The Minnesota Credit Union Network seeks to help the credit union industry grow market share by creating a favorable legislative environment, easing regulatory burdens and increasing consumer awareness.
To help achieve this goal, MnCUN has established restricted funds to strengthen our advocacy efforts on behalf of Minnesota’s credit unions. This fund provides resources to strongly position credit unions on the legislative and political fronts. The Advocacy Fund is proactive in nature, helping to create a strong credit union environment and augment MnCUN’s advocacy efforts. 2022 is expected to be a busy political year with the Minnesota Legislative session starting in February, the redistricting of political maps and and an election where the Governor and entire legislature are on the ballot. Advocacy fund dollars support grassroots materials and collateral to demonstrate the CU Difference to lawmakers, including the Working for Minnesota website and the GREAT program. Additionally, The National Advocacy Fund, which is coordinated by CUNA, finances grassroots advocacy, electoral polling, research, and partisan communications. National Advocacy Fund dollars have been deployed in Minnesota for election engagement, polling and radio ads. Please consider supporting these funds and initiatives that help position credit unions as the best financial partner for Minnesotans and fulfill the “people helping people” philosophy. Credit unions who want to support the Advocacy Fund are encouraged to donate to the fund along with their 2022 dues renewal.  The Minnesota Credit Union Network team is looking forward to the Credit Union National Association Governmental Affairs Conference in February! In addition to the GAC featured speakers and breakout sessions, MnCUN is also coordinating Minnesota-specific events.
This year's events include: Network Issues Briefing & Luncheon, Wednesday, March 2 | 11:30 a.m. | Room 103AB Prior to the Capitol Hill visits, MnCUN will host its annual issues briefing luncheon in room 103 of the Washington Convention Center. Please Note: All Minnesota attendees must pre-register for the Network Issues Briefing & Luncheon and Hill visits. Hill Visits Meetings with House members are being planned for the afternoon on Wednesday, March 1. MnCUN is proceeding with plans for in person meetings, but security and health protocols will dictate where and how we meet. Meetings may look different or be held in different locations than attendees may have experienced in the past and there may be increased security controls. Minnesota Hospitality Suite A hospitality suite offering refreshments and networking opportunities will be available at the Marriott Marquis Hotel for Minnesota GAC attendees Sunday, February 27 - Tuesday, March 1. D.C. Mask and Vaccine Requirements Washington, D.C. recently communicated mask and vaccine requirements for indoor venues such as the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, hotels, and restaurants. Anyone ages 12+ must be fully vaccinated by February 15, 2022. Conference attendees will be required to follow all local and federal guidelines that are in place at the time of our conference. CUNA will be asking attendees to verify their vaccination status through an independent provider. CUNA has also announced that they will be offering a virtual, limited content GAC option. Details will be announced soon. For more information visit, CUNA GAC attendee page on cuna.org Register for GAC If you haven't done so already, please register for GAC at CUNA's website. We hope that you are able to join us for these events. For complete information on these Minnesota-specific activities, visit the Governmental Affairs Conference page of the Network website. President Biden’s Build Back Better plan is in jeopardy with Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announcing he was a "No" vote, preventing the Senate Democratic majority enough votes to pass the bill through the budget reconciliation process.
Aside from the politics and general policy ramifications, it should be noted that the IRS reporting requirement provision has been left out of the most recent versions of the BBB. “While the IRS reporting provision is currently being omitted from ongoing conversations, credit unions can’t let their guard down on this issue,” MnCUN Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer Mara Humphrey said. “MnCUN will continue our opposition to this misguided idea.” As CUNA reported on Monday, the Senate Finance Committee released the tax provisions of the Build Back Better Act Saturday without expanded Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reporting requirements. CUNA, Leagues, credit unions, and members helped keep the expanded requirements out of the House-passed Build Back Better Act.
MnCUN will continue to monitor the bill’s progress but the provision is unlikely to move forward in the Build Back Better Act. Thank to our credit union advocates for voicing opposition on this issue.
The Grassroots Coordinator Program is a network of credit union employees that help increase political awareness at their credit union, educate co-workers on legislative issues, and help boost the rate of response to action alerts. Nearly 60 Grassroots Coordinators from across the state have served as their respective credit unions’ primary source for sharing ongoing state and federal legislative activities important to credit unions. Coordinators rally staff, board and credit union members to engage in grassroots related activities and goals.
Coordinator efforts have led to substantial growth in the number of grassroots advocates through our GREAT system and have driven a large number of responses to action alerts. The recent IRS reporting issue is a great example of this work, as Minnesota credit union advocates have sent over 40,000 messages to our Congressional contingent to oppose the proposal. As the sole organization advocating on behalf of credit unions across the state, MnCUN works with Grassroots Coordinators to ensure they have the resources and knowledge for this important role. Webinars and in person meetings aid in training these individuals and keep them up to date on current issues. Training sessions also provide opportunities for feedback and developmental strategies to increase member participation. Grassroots Coordinators receive weekly legislative email updates when the Minnesota State Legislature is in session. MnCUN is continually looking for new Coordinators to help spread the message about the importance of grassroots advocacy for credit unions. Credit unions may have more than one Coordinator if approved by their CEO or manager. If you have an interest, or would like to refer a staff member, please contact MnCUN Director of Government Affairs, Ryan Smith. |
The PulseThe Pulse is MnCUN's newsletter that keeps credit union professionals and board members updated on current news and information. Archives
January 2022
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