Feb5

Oregon CU Day at the Capitol

Our collective advocacy priority will be to showcase the impact Oregon credit unions are making across the state, while increasing our connection and relationship with our elected leaders at the Oregon Capitol.

Feb11

Washington CU Day at the Capitol

Our collective advocacy priority will be to showcase the impact Washington credit unions are making across the state, while increasing our connection and relationship with our elected leaders at the Washington Capitol.

Feb20

Colorado CU Day at the Capitol

Our collective advocacy priority will be to showcase the impact Colorado credit unions are making across the state, while increasing our connection and relationship with our elected leaders at the Colorado Capitol.

Feb24

Q1 CDFI Roundtable

A place to connect with other CDFIs, learn what credit unions are doing in their communities, stay current on updates and relevant changes, and discover how GoWest can support you on your CDFI journey.

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Idaho Credit Unions Bring Sunshine, Positive Advocacy Messages to Day at the Capitol

January 29, 2025

Brillant blue skies welcomed about 80 credit union advocates to Boise on Jan. 22 for Credit Union Day at the Capitol. They shared with lawmakers how they’re serving 1.4 million of their constituents in the Gem State and sought support for priority legislation. They advocated for protection of vulnerable and elderly adults from financial abuse and messaged the need to expand public deposit opportunities for government entities in credit unions, especially in rural Idaho. News of credit unions’ partnerships with the GoWest Foundation and community organizations to help Idahoans find affordable housing was shared as well.

A $1 Billion Contribution to the Gross Domestic Product

ID DAC 2025 New reports detailing credit unions’ economic and community impacts were unveiled in meetings with policymakers. An analysis by Oxford Economics documented credit unions’ $1 billion contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and how direct employment of 4,300 employees supports a total of 9,000 jobs in the economy. The GoWest Community Impact Report showed legislators how credit union employees performed 59,000 hours of community service and collaborated with more than 1,000 non-profits. Visit Idaho credit unions’ impact website here.

“Tremendous Partners”

“Credit unions are tremendous partners for our schools,” said special guest speaker Debbie Critchfield, Idaho’s Superintendent of Public Instruction. “I’m a big fan of what you do, and we know how important your presence is in our communities.”

Critchfield encouraged credit unions to stay engaged in the school systems, and indeed, the impact survey found that in 2023, credit unions spent 9,000 hours teaching financial education, reaching 66,000 students.

Other speakers throughout the day included Salvador Cruz, Financial Institutions Bureau Chief for the Idaho Department of Finance, House Speaker Mike Moyle, and Senator Kelly Anthon.