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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Arizona Advocates Show up in Style for Credit Union Day at the Capitol

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on February 5, 2025

Credit union advocates were “everywhere” on Tuesday, Jan. 28, during the GoWest Credit Union Association’s Arizona Credit Union Day at the Capitol. The 120-person strong force shared news of the $2 billion contribution credit unions made to the state’s Gross Domestic Product, fueled by the 15,800 jobs they support and the direct benefits they return to members.

Brooke Parent, GoWest’s Vice President, Legislative Affairs for Arizona, helped lead the force through dozens of one-on-one meetings with lawmakers and their key staff members. The advocates worked to set the record straight on a misguided bill that would increase costs for Arizona consumers and reduce resources needed to operate the payment system and protect consumers against fraud.

AZ DAC 2025 All priority messaging was well received, especially conversations around Arizona credit unions’ work as solutions providers. At a time when many of the lawmakers’ constituents struggle to afford housing, advocates were able to share the story of “Welcome Home Tucson,” a collaboration between GoWest Foundation and six Tucson area credit unions in which zero downpayment assistance is being offered to support people transitioning from renting to ownership.

Day at the Capitol veteran Leah Friedenberg, SVP, Organizational Development for Pima Federal Credit Union in Tucson spent time in meetings talking about the program, which sparked interest as “it aligns with one of the Governor’s initiatives.” Collaboration that offers solutions to real problems are “always well received,” she said.

Linda Ostrand, a branch manager at Arizona Financial Credit Union, enjoyed her first CU Day at the Capitol. She quickly studied the impact reports and other legislative talking points and hit the ground running. “To meet my representative from my district; he was so down to earth,” Ostrand said. She had lots of colleague support – her credit union brought approximately 50 advocates to the event.

Credit union friend and Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee joined the morning program to update the group on programs throughout the state that her office is engaged in. She praised the longstanding partnership with credit unions, and how her mission of financial education is well aligned with that of credit unions.