Keeping you connected to key credit union news, events, and trends: February 28, 2018
In This Issue
Headline News

Louisiana CU Advocates Hike the Hill in Washington, D.C.; Take Their Message to Federal Lawmakers
Louisiana credit union advocates attending the CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference are taking their message to federal lawmakers today. Attendees  will use briefing materials during the meetings on Capitol Hill with members of the Louisiana delegation. Ongoing conversations on preserving the tax status and reducing the regulatory burden are among the issues being brought to our legislative's attention. 

These visits play a vital role in the advocacy strategies of the League and CUNA, and our GAC attendees will take this opportunity to discuss pressing issues with our Louisiana delegation.

Ahead of today's Hill visits with members of the House, roughly 80 attendees participated in LCUL's legislative briefing during a special luncheon yesterday, which was led by Jeff Brooks with Adams & Reese. 
 
Follow the latest League updates from the CUNA GAC on our facebook page!

State GAC Registration Now Open with Dynamic Agenda
Registration is now open for the Louisiana Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) on April 10-11 in Baton Rouge.  The state GAC provides the opportunity to seek and understand the political environment facing credit unions. Attendees will have opportunities to meet face-to-face-both with legislators and some of the most powerful decision makers in Louisiana.

Not only are we bringing back favorites like the seafood extravaganza, but we're adding some dynamic speakers to the mix:

After serving 10 years in the House of Representatives, John Schroeder resigned his legislative seat to run for State Treasurer. Bringing his business and entrepreneurial background to the State Capitol, he arrived in the Legislature at a crucial time in history. He is one of the founders of the House Fiscal Budget Hawks. The Budget Hawks are a group of legislators committed to end wasteful government spending, balance the budget, and successfully pass legislation to end the practice of using one-time money on recurring expenses.

Professor of political science, author, blogger, Iowa State Professor Steffen Schmidt is also known as Dr. Politics.  He writes columns for major newspapers and comments on US politics for American and international media including the Washington Post, Washington Times, The Economist, CNN, Fox, Canadian Cable TV (CTV), Kyodo News, South Korean news services, and many European and Latin American media.  Schmidt, the co-author of two books on identity theft, also speaks on "Cyber Issues and Threats." He's a founding member of the US CENTCOM (US Dept. of Defense) Academic Alliance which focuses on major national security policies especially Cyber Defense.  

Louisiana Credit Unions Receive National Award for PAC Fundraising

Ouachita Valley FCU, Pelican State CU Recognized for Special Achievements

Yesterday, CUNA recognized credit unions around the country for outstanding advocacy and fundraising efforts during the Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) in Washington, D.C. The Louisiana credit union system was awarded the 2018 National Vanguard Award for exceeding its CULAC goal in 2017.
 
Louisiana credit unions didn't just meet its goal for the year- they shattered it, raising $161,520 in a year when the target was $41,872, meaning Louisiana raised 386% percent of its original goal.
 
"Now more than ever, the credit union movement depends on legislators' understanding the credit union difference. Legislative bills designed to add taxation or increase regulations are presented to Congress each year, so the work CULAC does is vital. The Vanguard Award shows that Louisiana understands the importance of CULAC and is committed to investing in the future of this industry. I couldn't be prouder to represent such a strong PAC with an even strong grassroots participation. Louisiana credit unions have certainly earned this award as well as the national recognition that comes with it," commented Sidney Parfait, Louisiana CULAC Chairman.
 
In addition to winning the Vanguard award, two Louisiana credit unions were recipients of national CULAC awards for their fundraising efforts. Ouachita Valley FCU (Monroe, LA) was recognized for raising the highest dollar amount in their asset category while Pelican State CU (Baton Rouge, LA) was recognized for raising the highest dollar amount in the state of Louisiana.
CUNA Unveils New Credit Union Awareness Initiative 


After two years of work and research, CUNA has unveiled its long-awaited national brand campaign theme: Open Your Eyes to A Credit Union.The campaign was created based on two years of research showing that consumers are aware of credit unions but are hampered by myths about their ability to join and security and accessibility to their money and services.

The initiative will be sustained for several years, according to CUNA, and content will be fine-tuned based on the results of ongoing, real-time research.

Read more here. 

Professional Development

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities Offer Something for Everyone 
LCUL's upcoming education programs are traveling around the state to bring pertinent and vital trainings to your area.  Whether you are looking to boost your team's Member Service Skills, or bring your share accounts knowledge to a new level, or prepare for the BSA exam; we've got your training needs covered.

 Join us for one of the programs below and help your team remain knowledgeable, focused, and fully engaged to best benefit your members.
 
Member Service with WOW! (Lafayette)
March 22
You don't want to miss Rory Rowland's recipe for adding a little WOW factor to your team's Member Service. Discover how to exude a ready-to-help attitude and build trust with your members. This program will help develop a member focused culture at your credit union.
 
Share Accounts Basics (Shreveport)
March 27
Opening & Handling our member's share accounts is the vital core of every credit union. Debbie Crawford covers Account Titling, Ownership and Signatories in this one day program. This is where you'll get all your Account Card Do's and Don'ts in one place.
 
Share Accounts Advanced (Lake Charles)
April 18
If you need to know more than just the basics of Account Ownership and have 3 or more years of experience, this course is for you.  Debbie Crawford will cover changes in ownership, customer due diligence and business accounts to name just a few of the topics in this advanced course.   

Save $50 when you register the same attendee for BOTH Share Accounts Basics & Advanced!
 
BSA Officer Training (Baton Rouge)
April 25
Preparing for the BSA exam is made easy with this comprehensive one-day program. We will review new BSA regulatory issues; focus on investigations and on new types of crime and payment mechanisms; customer due diligence programs and look ahead at examination expectations for 2018.  

Click here for more information and registration.

Quote of the Week:
"If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse."
- Jim Rohn
Educational Calendar
Upcoming Conferences & Seminars from your League:
March 22:  Member Service with WOW
March 27: Share Account Basics
April 10-11: Louisiana GAC
April 18: Share Accounts Advanced
April 25: BSA Officer Training
April 27-28: Young Professionals Workshop
May 2: Supplemental Training Opportunity
May 9-10: Financial Technologies Conference

Upcoming Teleconferences & Webinars from your League:

3/1: Supervisory Committee Overview: Rules, Regulations & Best Practices
3/6: New Accounts Series: Opening Deposit Accounts for Nonprofit Organizations
3/7: Consumer Debt Series: Managing Chapter 7 & 13 Consumer Bankruptcies
3/8: Revisiting CDD Policies & Procedures to Include Beneficial Ownership Rule
3/13: Developing & Managing Employee Performance
3/14: ACH Rules Update 2018
3/15: Flood Insurance Compliance Review & Update 2018
3/20: Call Report Series: Recent Call Report Changes & Top 10 Errors
3/21: Compliance & Legal Risks in Mobile Banking
3/22: Completing the CTR Line-by-Line Effective May 28
3/27: Development of Real Estate Evaluations & Validating Existing Appraisals
3/28: Collections & the Servicemember: From the MLA to SCRA
3/29: IRA Overview: Traditional & Roth IRA & SEP Plans
     
For a complete listing of educational opportunities available from LCUL, visit the League website and click on "Education".
  
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