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| Congressman Mark Meadows has kept a busy schedule in the district in the months prior to and after the November election. The newly-elected Congressman from the 11th District is pictured with Ashley Hoglen of Mountain CU (Waynesville) during Member Appreciation Day in October. |
More than 80 credit union advocates from North Carolina will meet with their elected leaders on Wednesday during the CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference. Included in the mix are meetings with four newly-elected members of the US House of Representatives: Congs. George Holding, Richard Hudson, Robert Pittenger and Mark Meadows.
For most credit union staff in attendance, this will be the first opportunity to meet with the four freshman Republicans. However, some credit unions have had the opportunity to get to know their elected leaders through in-branch and in-district events back home.
That's especially true in the case of Cong. Meadows, who won election in the 11th District in November. The district, which covers a large section of western NC, has seen a lot of Meadows both before and after the election. "He has really hit the ground running," noted Mountain CU President/CEO Patty Idol, who has met with Meadows several times in the past few months.
Meadows got an introduction to credit unions by coming to a Western Chapter meeting before the election. From all accounts, the business owner was genuinely interested in learning more about credit unions including how they serve their members and what their chief concerns are politically.
"He also dropped in on the Waynesville Branch during our member appreciation day event at the credit union," said Idol. The October 18 event, which coincides with International Credit Union Day, is often widely attended by local and state political leaders at the invitation of the credit union - especially during election years, as you might imagine.
Meadows also initiated a listening session with local credit union CEOs in western NC before the election, one of many he did with business leaders in the region prior to the election. This interest has continued in the weeks following his election to Congress, as Meadows and his staff members have held extensive meetings with credit unions throughout the district.
"He's in the process of forming a business advisory council and he wants credit unions to be a part of that," said Idol. "He seems really open and welcoming - he's very approachable." Chris Angel, who is Mountain's Business Development Director, has likewise been impressed with Meadows. "I've seen Congressman Meadows and his staff at a lot of different events and they really are doing all they can to learn more about the people in the district and their concerns."
Credit unions will visit with Meadows on Wednesday as part of a national grassroots effort during the GAC. The credit union advocates will share three major legislative issues with elected leaders: maintaining the credit union exemption from corporate income taxes, enhancing the credit union charter, and working toward a regulatory framework that is simple, fair and protects the interests of credit union members.
"These meetings are a great opportunity for credit unions to show their grassroots strength, and share the value they bring to their members as well as communities throughout NC," says John Radebaugh, President/CEO of the NCCUL. "Congressman Meadows has been very receptive to the issues and concerns of credit unions, and we look forward to meeting with him and all our elected leaders on Wednesday."