WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.-Truliant Federal Credit Union is trying to get the attention of members of Congress with a video comprised of testimonials from three of the CU's members who live in Congressman Mel Watt's district.
The three-minute video can be viewed at www.vimeo.com/1671754.
"What we decided is 'Why don't we try some new media to let him know what his constituents feel about credit unions?'" said Marc Schaefer, CEO of the $1.2-billion credit union. "So we interviewed some members."
Schaefer doesn't know if Watt himself has seen the video yet, but does think his staff has seen it.
"We visited them and let them know about the video," Schaefer offered. "We were not part of the problem, and we wanted to make sure when they try to fix the problem that the credit union charter is presented as it is, and is preserved as it is. We have to remain very vigilant, and continue to lobby Congress. We have been politically active for the past 10 years."
For other credit unions hoping to get more involved politically, Schaefer advised: "Make it fun. Make it interesting. Involve everyone."
Ryan Shell, marketing communications supervisor for the 180,000-member credit union, said finding members for the video was easy.
"They were completely willing to come in," he said. "Each person took only one take. They completely spoke from the heart. We just asked them, 'What does Truliant mean to you?' and they just let go. They had a blast doing it. I was really impressed that they all did it in one take."
The video was created using Flip Video, a mini-camcorder device, that cost the credit union about $150, plus the cost of two AA batteries, Shell said.
"And it took less than 30 minutes to do the whole thing," he said. Schaefer said the credit union will most likely continue to use new media in the future.
"We need to make sure our communication is relevant to our members," he said.
