Pub. 2 2012-2013 Issue 4

6 O V E R A C E N T U R Y : B U I L D I N G B E T T E R B A N K S - H E L P I N G C O L O R A D A N S R E A L I Z E D R E A M S A Word From CBA... Advocating for Your Bank and Industry The CBA Board sees a critical need for bankers to be stronger advocates for our interests. So at Board direction, we have developed an exciting new program to help bankers become stronger proponents for their banks and industry. It is the Center for Bank Advocacy – A Training Practicum. While other industries focus on 1-2 big is- sues at a time, banking is drowning in countless issues of major importance. We bankers need for all of us to be better equipped to advocate successfully on the numerous complex issues we face. Just as “relationship banking” is important to your bank’s success, building solid and lasting interactions with public of- ficials is critical. You have more comfort lending to someone you know; public officials and media also rely more on people they know and trust. We need to build these relationships now; you don’t know when you need them. This Advocacy program trains bankers for that – and more. CBA’s Center for Bank Advocacy is a yearlong, hands-on course in increasing banks’ influence on public policy. It in- cludes nine concentrated sessions, several other events and a brief project relevant to your bank. The course is capped by a bank advocacy trip toWashington D.C. This is “learn by doing” with expert guidance along the way. The program provides these benefits: 1) Understand banks’ image and regulatory is- sues and how to sway others on those, 2) Learn leadership and influence in community affairs and government regulation of banking, 3) Master skills via active participant discussions and applying lessons in various activities, and 4) Learn by practi- cum – a team project relevant to your bank, identified by the participant and their bank supervisor. The Center’s programming covers: • Election analysis, • State and federal banking legislation, regulation, litigation and image issues; and broader issues impacting banking, • Gov- ernment processes and requirements – elections, campaigns, legislation, regulation, community/media/customer relations, • Roles, risks and rewards of community and political involve- ment, • Volunteer community involvement and bank/industry image, and •Influence activities – customer communications, community/public communications, lobbying, public official relationships, regulatory influence and more. Emphasis is on active participation. The estimated cost includes the 8 sessions, a training project, a trip toWashington, DC tomeet with ColoradoMembers of Congress, CBA’s Legisla- tive Luncheon, CBA’s Annual Meeting, five other events, and a graduation reception. The other events are participating in CBA Board meeting, CBA Government Affairs Committee, lunch with a couple legislators in the CBA office during ses- sion, state legislative hearing on a bill, and the Regulatory Feedback Initiative. The cost is an $800 fee plus the trip to Washington, DC ($2,150E for air, hotel, meals…), and the CBA Annual Meeting ($250E) for an estimated cost of $3,200. Sessions are monthly in the CBA office, and feature very ac- complished and notable presenters. The sessions cover analysis of election results, priority issues for banking, how legislative and regulatory processes and themedia operate, where and how to influence others and activate your colleagues, and community and PR problems and solutions, culminating in a presentation on your project on a topic relevant to your bank. After comple- tion, participants become a member (free) of CBA’s ongoing Bank Advocate program, where participants build rapport with designated public officials. To deal with the many complex issues facing banking we need an assemblage of skilled advocates. Our hope is to train a number of bankers annually so that in a few years we have a throng of banker activists to defend and promote our industry. Register ASAP for this fun, exciting and important program. Space is limited. Contact Amanda Averch (averch@colorado- bankers.org) at 303.825.1575. Q Don Childears CBA President/CEO