Mar18

Help Build a Credit Union Chapter for the Tri-Cities Area! 

Join your peers as we explore the opportunity to create a Credit Union Chapter in the Tri-Cities area!
Mar25

Commercial Services Council; Session One

This session provides an opportunity to engage with a community of commercial lending, and business service leaders focused on treasury and cash management services, member business lending programs, and strategies for deepening relationships with small business and commercial clients.
Mar26

HR & Trainers Council; Session One

The Council’s open format serves to encourage and recharge staff dealing with similar challenges and developments within the Credit Union Movement. Human resources and training professionals gather to learn, teach, pass on tips, and provide resources, information, networking, and professional development opportunities to best prepare for what’s on the horizon.
Mar27

Marketers Council; Session One

The Council — open to marketing, communications, media relations, public relations, business development, and community outreach professionals — is interactive and belongs to the members. Beneficial presentations are offered, along with the opportunity for credit union professionals to share in roundtable discussions. Councils provide an outlet that furthers the success of credit unions.
Home » Advocacy On The Move »

Washington Advocates Turn Up the Heat in Olympia

February 11, 2025

Temperatures were in the low 20’s when Washington credit unions came to Olympia for Washington Day at the Capitol. That didn’t matter to the more than 200 advocates who came from credit unions in every corner of the state; in fact, so many came from Vancouver, they had to rent a large tour bus.

While the Washington advocacy model has a strong tradition and the machine is well-oiled, nothing is taken for granted. This year, there are 33 lawmakers in new positions.

“Many legislators deeply understand the value of credit unions,” said Joe Adamack, GoWest Credit Union Association’s SVP, Legislative Affairs, adding the new members need to come to that understanding.

Senator Jeff Holy met with Washington CU leaders

 

To help them get there, advocates are sharing newly released economic data from Oxford Economics, documenting credit unions’ $4 billion impact on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the 27,200 jobs credit union employment supports. They also talked about community impacts such as loans to first-time homebuyers and partnerships between credit unions and the GoWest Foundation which are helping to build affordable housing.

These are tangible examples of how 95 credit unions across the state are serving 5.5 million people — lawmakers’ constituents.

“Stand tall and tell your story strong,” encouraged Troy Stang, GoWest’s President and CEO.

That’s exactly what they did, a full day ahead of the bankers’ day at the capitol!

 

Posted in Advocacy on the Move, Washington Advocacy.