Care for a Hike?

Next month, our advocacy team and Michigan credit union leaders for our annual Hike the Hill trip to Washington, D.C., a trip I always look forward to. Since I joined the advocacy world in 2018, it has been really inspirational to witness credit union teams and boards walking to Capitol Hill with us to tell their story. We are also very happy to have some of our young professionals join us as they are learning to appreciate the education that happens when we meet with lawmakers and show them who we are.

In many industries, it’s unfortunately common for there to be a competitive or territorial tension between generations — an unwillingness for the older generation to help their predecessors behind them. That the Michigan credit union movement is not only open to helping and sharing resources with future leaders, but actively seeking out young professionals to become more involved in leadership activities is another great example of the many things that mark our industry as different.

Because of our generous leadership, MCUL has seen a steady increase in Hike the Hill first-timers the last few trips. I would love to see that trend continue this year, because we’re going to need it.

Unfortunately, credit unions are facing a number of potentially harmful pieces of legislation and regulatory overreach, such as interchange, “junk fee” rhetoric, the electronic funds transfer bill that threatens to expand to include fraudulently induced transfers — all of which require us to continue to educate lawmakers and regulators on the credit union difference and how some of their proposal are damaging.

While some of these proposals may be well-intended, it is our responsibility to talk with key decision-makers about how the enactment of these proposals would negatively impact their constituents and their constituents’ communities. This fall’s pilgrimage to DC will be an important step in building momentum on these issues before we head back in March for the Governmental Affairs Conference.

One of the things I love about Hike the Hill is how small-scale and intimate it is. It gives attendees a rare opportunity to talk face-to-face with legislators in a way that we know we are heard. At this year’s Annual Convention & Exposition, MCUL Board Chair Dean Trudeau said something that has really stuck with me since. He talked about how, as a young credit union professional, he underestimated just how much his voice could be heard by lawmakers and regulators. Over the course of Dean’s career, he’s seen how building relationships and sharing member stories have translated to real-life impact.

So, if that’s you…if you’ve been on the edge of going to Hike the Hill but haven’t taken the plunge because maybe you don’t think your voice will make a difference, I strongly urge you to give it a shot next month. It may take time to see change happen, but I can promise your voice will be heard.

You can register for Hike the Hill here.

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