Dear Credit Union Leader,
As we look forward to another outstanding PAC fundraising year, let’s take a moment to look back on what was accomplished during a highly successful and eventful 2008. Your commitment to fundraising last year helped propel MCULAF (State PAC) from 48th to 30th on the list of top 150 State PACs in Michigan for the two-year election cycle. This is due in no small part to the record fundraising numbers that the credit union community raised. MCULAF exceeded its 2008 goal by raising over $155,000 and MCULLAF (Federal PAC) topped over $240,000 for our largest combined fundraising year ever!
These fundraising efforts directly translate into an increased ability to elect credit union friendly candidates and help position credit unions for legislative success both in Lansing and Washington, D.C. On the state level in 2008, credit unions not only maintained their tax exemption through the replacement of the Single Business Tax (SBT) with the Michigan Business Tax (MBT) but also the short-lived expansion of the sales tax on services, which would have deeply affected credit unions, was repealed. In addition to pursuing our proactive state legislative agenda, we also worked to protect credit unions from overly burdensome legislation which has been targeted through increased regulation for identity theft and predatory lending. Similarly, our efforts have translated into achievements on the federal level as well where we increased the members of Michigan’s delegation that are CURIA co-sponsors from 9 to 11 (out of 15 House members). It is your hard work and dedication that help make much of this possible.
This next session, the credit union industry will be engaged in a regulatory restructuring process that may provide us with an opportunity to address capital reform, business lending and field of membership issues. However, at the same time, we will be advocating the continued existence of an independent credit union regulator and share insurance fund. Because of all of these challenges, we need to remain committed to keeping PAC fundraising a top priority.
2009 promises to be another challenging year and a great opportunity for credit unions to build on our past success. Are you willing to do it again? Can we count on you to continue with your commitment to these fundraising activities, and perhaps look to take advantage of new and innovative ideas? We know that these goals are ambitious, but together we are capable of doing this!
If you are looking to take your fundraising program to the next level or you are just fundraising for the first time, we stand ready to assist. Please contact MCUL Political Affairs Coordinator Jami Wolfe at 800-262-6285 ext. 353 or Jami.Wolfe@mcul.org if you have any questions.
Thank you for your commitment to the credit union industry and for helping to make Michigan one of the strongest credit union fundraisers in the country.
Sincerely,
MCULLAF/MCULAF Board of Trustees:
Chair Howard Spencer, Northland Area Federal Credit Union, Blue Ox Chapter
Vice-Chair Michele Myrick, E & A Credit Union, Metro East Chapter
Treasurer/Secretary Lon Bone, Genisys Credit Union, Oakland County Chapter
John Crist, CP Federal Credit Union, Jackson Chapter
Cheryl DeBoer, First Community Federal Credit Union, Kalamazoo Chapter
Jim Kirk, University of Michigan Credit Union, Huron Valley Chapter
Don Yuvan, Eaton County Educational Credit Union, Lansing Chapter
George Isola, Ishpeming Community FCU, Upper Peninsula Chapter
Andy List, Option 1 Credit Union, Grand River Chapter
Here are some important resources on PAC Fundraising:
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Regulatory Affairs
