As Member-owned financial cooperatives, credit unions like Mazuma are champions for our Members, not just through financial services but also by advocating for policies that enhance financial well-being. When we meet with local or national lawmakers to discuss credit union issues, we operate with a people-first mindset and advocate for legislative and regulatory efforts that align with the interests of our Members and communities. We act as a voice for our Members when discussing policies that could impact their financial future.
Recently, representatives from Mazuma have taken part in advocacy efforts in Kansas, Missouri, and Washington D.C.!
At this year’s Kansas Day at the Capitol, several Mazuma Team Members joined representatives from credit unions across Kansas in Topeka to speak with local lawmakers. Advocacy efforts focused on two bills, vetted by industry partners, law enforcement groups, and statewide officials, that would fight consumer fraud and establish additional avenues to help keep credit union Members’ money safe.
The next week, Team Members spent a day in Jefferson City on behalf of Missouri credit unions and their Members. They met with state lawmakers to discuss a bill that would modernize credit union charters to make membership in a credit union or on a credit union board more widely accessible. Our VP of Government Affairs, Laura Eblen, was invited to speak in a Finance Committee hearing to endorse the bill.
The Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) is the largest credit union advocacy event each year. Held in Washington D.C., GAC gathers industry professionals from across the country to discuss ways to increase and expand the credit union difference in our local communities. It’s an educational and inspiring experience grounded in the history of the cooperative movement and the future of Member service and advocacy.
Representatives from Mazuma’s Team and Board of Directors participated in this year’s event alongside 6,000 nationwide credit union professionals. They visited Capitol Hill to speak with local representatives about initiatives that would help fight fraud, preserve access to credit, and maintain credit unions’ ability to best serve our Members and communities.
Supported by the efforts of industry leaders like America’s Credit Unions and the Cornerstone League, credit unions actively support policies that promote increased access to affordable financial services, strengthen local economies, support small businesses, and enhance the security of our Members’ financial information. We encourage efforts to expand financial literacy and community development programs, increase opportunities for home and business ownership, and institute consumer-friendly financial policies. Our advocacy efforts help ensure that our Members are empowered to grow and thrive!
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