The power of a unified voice

Effective advocacy isn't just heartfelt member testimonials or policy analysis; it's the combination of the two that makes a compelling case. When you can tie a real member impact to concrete data, you give decision-makers what they need to act.

Emily Leite, Chief Advocacy Officer at the Ohio Credit Union League, pointed out that credit union advocacy works because of the industry's shared purpose and mission. That common foundation—serving members, not shareholders—creates a natural alignment that other industries simply don't have. As Leite put it, credit unions function as one unified whole, a collaborative network that can respond in real time when a crisis emerges.

"Credit unions can always out-explain purpose," Leite noted. "You are structurally built into the system as a stabilizing force." That's not a marketing message; it's a structural advantage that advocates should lean into.

Coordination without uniformity

Erin Moore, VP of Government Relations at OnPoint Community Credit Union, brought a practitioner's perspective to what "unified voice" means on the regulatory side.

Her key point: coordination and alignment do not mean uniformity. Different credit unions will have different strategies, different relationships, and different points of view. The work of advocacy coordination is figuring out who is best positioned to carry a particular message forward, and then making sure they're equipped to do it. That kind of strategic alignment builds trust, and trust, Moore emphasized, is what sustains advocacy over the long term, both on the regulatory and legislative sides.

OnPoint also demonstrates how credit unions can extend their influence beyond the typical advocacy channels. By partnering with chambers of commerce and other local organizations, they leverage existing community trust to strengthen their relationships with government and other partners.  

Small credit unions have a big voice

Amy Brodersen, President/CEO of Family Focus Federal Credit Union, offered a perspective that's easy to overlook in conversations dominated by larger institutions: smaller credit unions can't sit it out.

"Your members depend on you," Brodersen said simply. When small credit unions don't show up, their members' voices go unheard. The issues are the same across the board—fraud, financial security, member wellbeing—which means the stories are the same, too. That common ground is powerful. Understanding what your members are facing, sharing that with peer credit unions, and surfacing it through advocacy channels creates a multiplier effect that protects members across the system.

The collaborative nature of the credit union system, Brodersen observed, is precisely what sets credit unions apart from banks.

What This Means for Your Advocacy Efforts

• Purpose is your differentiator. Credit unions aren't just financial institutions — they're structurally designed to serve their communities. Lead with that.
• Stories need data, and data needs stories. Neither alone is enough to move the needle with policymakers.
• Coordination amplifies impact. Whether through ACU, your state league, or local community partnerships, working in concert with others makes every effort more powerful.

Advocacy doesn’t just happen during GAC or in Washington. Credit unions can get engaged through America’s Credit Unions Grassroots Action Center and state leagues.