LGFCU Gets "on Board" for Hike the Hill (9/8/2005)

Lin Jones (left), Anne Suggs and Ruth Barnes regularly attend Hike the Hill events on behalf of Local Government Federal Credit Union.

Several times each year, credit union people from North Carolina travel to Washington, DC to meet with legislators. Most of the time, you'll find credit union CEOs, managers and a smattering of NC Credit Union League (NCCUL) staff on the trip.

But in the case of Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU), you'll often find board members walking the halls of Congress. And LGFCU relies on a terrific trifecta of volunteers in particular to deliver the message ... Lin Jones, Anne Suggs and Ruth Barnes. 

"It sounds like fun and it is," said Barnes, "but it's also a lot of work." Barnes, who lives near New Bern and has an often lengthy trip by air to and from DC, would know. After a long day of travel, Barnes and the other hill hikers walk through the maze of tunnels and hallways that connect the congressional office buildings.

Most of the time, it takes longer to walk to a legislator's office than it does to meet with them – if you get to meet with them at all.

"It's a whirlwind trip – up one day and back the next," says Jones, "but it's so important to meet with the people who are responsible for passing laws affecting credit unions." Suggs agrees, adding, "You get to know our senators and representatives over time and share what's important about credit unions."

“LGFCU volunteers are real warriors," said LGFCU President/CEO Maurice Smith. "They put in the hours and dedication needed to fuel an effective grassroots effort. The credit union message is made more convincing when delivered by a volunteer.”

Dan Schline, NCCUL's vice president of regulatory/governmental affairs, is happy that volunteers like Lin, Ruth and Anne head to DC. "They are volunteers who really care about the credit union movement. You won't find that kind of passion coming from the banking industry."

The three attended the spring Hike the Hill event. "It's a big year, and it's great that they are so involved" says Schline. "CURIA is on the table, bankers are pressing for taxation, and now the conversion issue has sprung up."

The conversion issue will color Hike the Hill on September 14th – 15th. HR 3206, introduced by Rep. Patrick McHenry of NC, would strip NCUA of some of its oversight of the credit union-to-bank conversion process. "Credit unions are really concerned about this bill, and rightly so" said NCCUL President John Radebaugh.

The House Financial Services Committee is expected to hold a hearing on HR 3206 in the next few weeks. "The upcoming Hike the Hill trip will be a good chance to visit with everyone in the NC delegation ahead of the hearing," said Schline.

Barnes and Suggs will join CEO Maurice Smith in Washington next week to meet with legislators about conversions and other issues. Smith recognizes the value in having his board members there. "Volunteers have a credible testimony about their commitment to the movement. Legislators recognize that professionals are paid to be present. Volunteers do so for the pure love of credit unions,” Smith said.