Our Public Relations Work
COMMUNICATIONS
Part of your League's mission is to watch and monitor emerging and ongoing issues that affect our credit unions. We then evaluate that information and see that credit unions are made aware of those issues – and, if necessary, what we hope they will do in response.
MEDIA RELATIONS
Traditional media relations and maintaining a positive relationship with trade press is a key component of our public relations work. That involves fielding inquiries from reporters, researching topics being covered in news stories, and producing the League’s own news releases.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Another part of our public relations work is social responsibility. This involves promoting not only statewide charitable and community involvement work, primarily through the work of the League’s Community Involvement Committee, but also ensuring individual credit unions understand the importance of community involvement and the public relations value of our good works.
Our Public Relations Team
- Rick Pillow, President
- Lewis Wood, Director of Public Relations and Communication
RECENT ISSUES
1. Overdraft Protection
- Resources for Credit Unions
- Talking Points on Credit Union Overdraft Protection/Courtesy Pay Programs (Word document, 30kb)
- Letter to Lawmakers (Word document, 33kb)
- Overdraft Protection Legislation: Section By Section Overview of the FAIR Act (Word document, 34kb)
- Visit My Credit Union Is Me to send an e-mail to your Congressman and U.S. Sens. Webb and Warner.
- House Hearing on Overdraft Programs
On Oct. 30, the House Financial Services Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on overdraft protection programs. We have talking points available should any questions arise from local media in the wake of the hearing.
[more here]
- CUNA: Overdraft Plans Consistent with CU Mission
While a story in USA Today on Aug. 4, 2009 took issue with credit union overdraft protection programs, Credit Union National Association (CUNA) President/CEO Dan Mica explained that the programs are consistent with credit unions' philosophy and mission to meet members' financial needs and resolve short-term financial problems. Mica noted that, in the wake of the story, it is important for credit unions to communicate that overdraft programs are a way that mainstream lenders like credit unions can help consumers with a lower-cost option to such outlets as payday lenders and pawn shops.
[MORE HERE]
[RESOURCES: Talking Points on CU Overdraft Programs]
[RELATED: Banks Force Consumers into Overdrafts]
2. Payday Lending and Credit Unions
- Efforts Add Depth to USA TODAY Payday Loan Update
Efforts by the credit union movement Monday resulted in a second, more comprehensive and more positive article in Tuesday's USA TODAY about credit unions' short-term loans or payday loan alternatives. The newspaper received a number of comments from consumers questioning an article in Monday's issue, which quoted a consumer group as saying that some loans at credit unions weren't a good deal. Many thought the article was prompted by banks; others criticized basing the article on a single credit union example. Tuesday's article featured broader credit union perspectives.
[MORE HERE]
[RESOURCES: Question & Answer on CUs' Payday Lending Alternatives]
RESOURCES
1. Philosophy Orientation Guide
Your League has published an updated version of the popular Philosophy Orientation Guide, available at no charge to affiliated credit unions.
The Guide explains the "Credit Union Difference" in an easy-to-understand manner and would be ideal in sharing the philosophy and structure of credit unions with new and potential members, your SEGs and lawmakers.