1. Politics, Policy & the Credit Union Industry

2. Politics is scary!

3. Policy is complicated

4. Credit Unions

5. What’s on your mind when we talk about credit unions, politics & policy? How deeply involved in politics / policy is your credit union?

11. No one pre­tends that democ­racy is per­fect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democ­racy is the worst form of Gov­ern­ ment except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.… Winston Churchill

12. Why Bother?

13. Oh, we might affect the legislative process

14. One elusive concept! Strategy –Differentiation

15. Policy & legislation Can strengthen staff’s sense of purpose

16. “Choosing to perform activities differently than your rivals do.” –Michael Porter, Harvard Strategy!

17. Unique strategy… Staff motivation Differentiated Experience Motivate Members

18. Telephone Game

21. Talking about organizations (like AARP) with millions of card-carrying members Jim Nussle, CUNA CEO

22. So much potential…

25. Start at Home Legislative Affairs—Create a title, designate a go-to staffer –Must be an opinion leader Get more staff Hiking the Hill

26. Take a Stand Take positions on political & legislative issues that affect your member-owned financial cooperative –Engage staff, educate them –Engage members, community at large

27. Channels Educated staff Intranet Web site Newsletter Blog Host events

28. Clear Boundaries We do not endorse one party over another We do not take positions on issues unrelated to your credit union or the economic health of our community We will pass on candidate endorsements from our state or regional league

29. Clear Boundaries Get my free one page white paper We are not “single issue” oriented We only take stands on issues related to the health of your financial cooperative / our community We understand that you take more issues into consideration when determining your position on a legislative issue.

30. Boundaries We understand that you take more into consideration when choosing one candidate over another We do not endorse one party over another

31. Franklin D. Roosevelt Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.

32. Matt Purvis matt@purvismanagement.com 541-556-0990