SAN DIEGO -
California delegates voted 4,130-182 in favor of assessing themselves the extra dues, while Nevada delegates approved continuing the program by a unanimous voice vote.
Bill Cheney, CEO of the California and Nevada CU Leagues, told Credit Union Journal after the votes, "I just continue to be amazed by the strong support of our members. They were forward-thinking when they approved the Public Advocacy Program three years ago. This shows why the movement is so strong: because we are willing to come together for the good of all credit unions."
One day before the vote, attendees from the Golden and Silver States were told the campaign had achieved several measurable goals during its three years, including raising awareness of credit unions, increasing favorable impressions of CUs by non-members and increasing support of credit unions not paying income taxes. In addition, non-members who said the existence of CUs does not benefit them plummeted to 48% in 2007 from 68% in the 2004 benchmark study.
"Our efforts are based on research, and we will continue to do that," said Henry Kertman, the CCUL's public relations director and member of the Public Advocacy Program committee. "We've made progress in the three years of the program and hope we continue to do so."
Several committee members, including Cheney, pointed to the fact the required assessment for the Public Advocacy Program-which is separate from league dues-decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2008, credit unions with fewer than $5 million in assets will pay a flat fee of $50. CUs in the $5-million to $15-million range will contribute $500. CUs from $15 million to $39 million will pay $1,000. For those $39 million and above, a formula of 0.0000278 times assets plus 0.278 times number of members.
The last two years, the formula for the larger-asset CUs was 0.000033 (assets) and 0.33 (members) in 2006, and 0.0000288 (assets) and 0.288 (members) in 2007. The Campaign's 2007 budget was $6.254 million. The largest expense was media buy, which included English and some Spanish-language radio. The 2007 budget for grassroots advocacy was increased to $1.25 million, up from $500,000 in 2006. Bob Arnould, the CCUL's SVP of government affairs, noted the timing could not have been better.
"As with everything in the world, we make our own good luck," he said. "Last year's decision to increase grassroots financing led to support for AB 779 [a data security bill backed by credit unions and opposed by bankers] and other items on the legislative agenda. It gave increased recognition for credit unions. We showed we are willing to organize our members in communication with elected officials."
