Announcing 2023 GoWest’s Committees and Advisory Groups

Posted by Ben Shuey on January 17, 2023

2022 was a year of growth and opportunity for the Credit Union Movement, thanks to the strong collaboration of credit union leaders, champions, and advocates who served on GoWest’s committees and advisory groups.

This valuable collaborative effort drives the work of the GoWest credit union region by guiding legislative priorities, examining growth opportunities, exploring emerging technologies, developing recognition programs to shine a light on the exemplary work, and much more.

2023 will be a year of collective progress as GoWest credit unions go forward, welcoming the combined expertise of credit union leaders across our larger six-state region.

GoWest is pleased to announce the credit union professionals who will serve on its committees and advisory groups this year.

“It’s inspiring to see the committee rosters fill up each year,” said Nicole Brusewitz, GoWest’s chief engagement officer. “For 2023, more than 370 credit union leaders from the GoWest region are stepping up to volunteer their time, share their expertise, and collaborate with their peers to advance the work of credit unions. It’s a real commitment to serving the Movement.”

Visit the 2023 Committees webpage to see the complete list of new members.

*Look for our two brand new committees this year: the Talent Development Advisory Group and Collective Credit Union Impact Advisory Group.

GoWest’s 2023 committees and advisory groups include:

Arizona Governmental Affairs Committee

Stewards of advancing the Association’s advocacy strategy through developing and supporting the overall advocacy agenda. The Arizona Governmental Affairs Committee focuses on the commitment to protect and evolve the best operating environment for credit unions at the federal level and in Arizona, ensuring that credit unions are positioned to serve consumers as distinctive, relevant, and trusted partners. The committee will offer guidance regarding opportunities and the potential impacts of issues at the state and federal levels. In addition, this committee makes policy advancement recommendations to the Association Board as needed and helps to create the legislative and regulatory policy agenda in each state capitol and at the federal level.

Collective Credit Union Impact Advisory Group

Executes within the Association and Foundation’s strategy to elevate credit unions’ impact in their communities. Convenes credit union leaders together to share best practices on accelerating community impact, explore strategies to reach new and emerging markets, and leverage funding opportunities to amplify credit union community impact. This Advisory Group works with the Association and Foundation to support and advance efforts to ensure financial well-being for all consumers.

Colorado Governmental Affairs Committee

Stewards of advancing the Association’s advocacy strategy through developing and supporting the overall advocacy agenda. The Colorado Governmental Affairs Committee focuses on the commitment to protect and evolve the best operating environment for credit unions at the federal level and in Colorado, ensuring that credit unions are positioned to serve consumers as distinctive, relevant, and trusted partners. The committee will offer guidance regarding opportunities and the potential impacts of issues at the state and federal levels. In addition, this committee makes policy advancement recommendations to the Association Board as needed and helps to create the legislative and regulatory policy agenda in each state capitol and at the federal level.

Defense Fund Oversight Sub-Committee

An essential part of the Association’s advocacy strategy is providing oversight of a vital and strategic defense fund. This sub-committee is responsible for providing guidance to the defense fund expenditures as outlined in the fund’s covenants. Covenants focus on appropriate and effective fund use and fundraising strategies for special purpose advocacy funding to assist with extraordinary governmental affairs and public communication needs. 

Grassroots & Political Programs Committee

Leads the development and execution of the Association’s advocacy programs by informing and empowering credit union leaders to build an enduring culture of engagement in grassroots and political programs. This Committee evaluates and develops modern grassroots advocacy tools to strengthen participation in the legislative and political process within the Credit Union Movement, along with setting PAC fundraising goals and strategies on behalf of credit unions in the six states.

Idaho Governmental Affairs Committee

Stewards of advancing the Association’s advocacy strategy through developing and supporting the overall advocacy agenda. The Idaho Governmental Affairs Committee focuses on the commitment to protect and evolve the best operating environment for credit unions at the federal level and in Idaho, ensuring that credit unions are positioned to serve consumers as distinctive, relevant, and trusted partners. The committee will offer guidance regarding opportunities and the potential impacts of issues at the state and federal levels. In addition, this committee makes policy advancement recommendations to the Association Board as needed and helps to create the legislative and regulatory policy agenda in each state capitol and at the federal level.

 Innovation Acceleration Committee

Executes within the Association’s strategy of providing solutions that deliver measurable, tangible value across the six-state ecosystem. This committee works with Association staff to connect innovative solutions with credit unions to advance solutions, products, and resources that deliver tangible value to consumers. The Innovation Acceleration Committee members serve as a resource to examine emerging trends and find solutions that enable credit unions to deliver more value to their members through high-functioning operations and sustainable growth.

Recognition Advisory Group

Executes within the Association’s strategy to accelerate, strengthen, and celebrate the collective work of credit unions. The committee is responsible for helping align the recognition efforts that shine a light on the credit unions and the people who have significantly raised the bar on the achievable outputs and results in sustaining and advancing the charter and operating environments. This value is generated and delivered to the membership and the collective impact in the communities. In addition, this advisory group will help advise staff in the nomination and judging of the awards program that connects, recognizes, and honors the credit unions in the Association’s six-state community.

Regulatory Advisory Sub-Committee and Working Groups

A critical component of the Association’s comprehensive advocacy strategy by proactively influencing regulatory efforts. In conjunction with the Association staff, committee members are dedicated to influencing regulatory agencies to develop responsible rules and regulations affecting credit unions and their relevancy so that consumers can choose not-for-profit credit unions as their trusted partner. This committee works with the Association to define and refine regulatory priorities, working with regulatory agencies to implement changes and evolve processes. Working Groups may be established to support deeper research and analysis into specific issues. 

Talent Development Advisory Group

Executes within the Association’s strategy of delivering value through scalable programming by evaluating future-focused credit union development and leadership succession needs. This Advisory Group will help outline and promote pathways for growing future credit union industry leaders through Association and Credit Union Community development program. 

Washington Governmental Affairs Committee

Stewards of advancing the Association’s advocacy strategy through developing and supporting the overall advocacy agenda. The Washington Governmental Affairs Committee focuses on the commitment to protect and evolve the best operating environment for credit unions at the federal level and in Washington, ensuring that credit unions are positioned to serve consumers as distinctive, relevant, and trusted partners. The committee will offer guidance regarding opportunities and the potential impacts of issues at the state and federal levels. In addition, this committee makes policy advancement recommendations to the Association Board as needed and helps to create the legislative and regulatory policy agenda in each state capitol and at the federal level.

Wyoming Governmental Affairs Committee

Stewards of advancing the Association’s advocacy strategy through developing and supporting the overall advocacy agenda. The Wyoming Governmental Affairs Committee focuses on the commitment to protect and evolve the best operating environment for credit unions at the federal level and in Wyoming, ensuring that credit unions are positioned to serve consumers as distinctive, relevant, and trusted partners. The committee will offer guidance regarding opportunities and the potential impacts of issues at the state and federal levels. In addition, this committee makes policy advancement recommendations to the Association Board as needed and helps to create the legislative and regulatory policy agenda in each state capitol and at the federal level.

For questions about GoWest’s committees, please contact Carmen Vigil.

Posted in GoWest Association, Leadership, Top Headlines.