Legislative Update with Chesney

​A special update from Washington, D.C. as our Director of Political & Grassroots Affairs attends her first Governmental Affairs Conference! 

by Chesney Garnos, Director of Political & Grassroots Affairs
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While I am only a few days in to the 2024 GAC, it has already been filled with advocacy, insight, and unity for our credit union industry! As the Director of Political and Grassroots Affairs for Dakota Credit Union Association, I’ve had the opportunity, along with DakCU cohort, John Alexander, to attend multiple political and advocacy focused events with incredible speakers and presenters so far at this year's conference.

From the moment I arrived, the energy at the convention center was unlike anything I could have imagined! The GAC is the largest advocacy event for credit unions in the country, drawing professionals from all 50 states to the heart of our nation's capital. This year, the agenda was as ambitious as ever, with sessions designed to deepen our understanding of the political landscape, enhance our advocacy skills, and strengthen the credit union movement. I feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from leaders across our industry and meet some of my peers from other leagues. 

Chesney with Grace Newcombe and Sydney Seral from the League of Southeastern Credit Unions (LSCU) at the government affairs professionals meeting wearing a great “red white and blue” inspired theme!

​The opening session set the tone for the week, with keynote speakers addressing the current state and prospects of the credit union industry. The special credit union flag ceremony was also unique, with our GAC Crashers, Melissa Cline (Black Hills Federal Credit Union) and Noah Trautmann (United Savings Credit Union) proudly bearing their respective state flags. 

I’m especially looking forward to the speaker this afternoon, former Prime Minister Theresa May, who oversaw the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2019. She stands as the second woman to ever hold this position in England’s history! I’m excited to hear her speak on how she led her country through the challenging times of Brexit and her experience as a woman in leadership. Her dedication to public service and bettering her country truly sets her apart as a role model for women aiming for leadership roles around the world, and I cannot wait to hear from her!
 
This conference has also given me the opportunity to gain a better understanding of regulatory changes, economic trends, and the current legislative challenges that Dakota credit unions are facing. These challenges will be the focus of our discussions tomorrow during our Hike-the-Hill, which I am particularly excited about! As a former staffer on Capitol Hill, I always enjoy the chance to reconnect with old colleagues and friends while in D.C.

Hike-the-Hill provides our credit union members with the chance to share their successes and concerns directly with our federal delegation, highlighting how policy and legislation can impact them. In these meetings with lawmakers and their staff, we have the opportunity to share the stories of our credit unions and the difference they make in our communities. These conversations are crucial for building understanding and support for key issues affecting our industry. We plan to emphasize conversations on preserving our special tax status, issues on interchange, and continue to advocate for regulatory relief which will enable all of us to better serve our members.

Reflecting on this week, I'm really impressed by the dedication and passion I've seen, especially from those in the Dakotas. It's filled me with new energy and ideas, and I'm excited to tackle our upcoming challenges. I'm also looking forward to celebrating our successes and making the most of the opportunities ahead.

Last but certainly not least, please do not forget about the CULAC “Chairman’s Challenge” happening now through March 7th. This challenge is a fun competition amongst the 50 states to support CULAC, which is the national PAC that contributes to our federal candidates serving the Dakotas at the national level. Not only is this a fun challenge between the states and our CULAC Chairs, Chad Moller (SD) and Paul Brucker (ND), but it is also a chance for our credit union members with signed permission agreements to win prizes! Talk about a win-win! I cannot wait to see the final success of this year’s CULAC “Chairman’s Challenge”.
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I’ll be back next week with my usual update! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.