Pub. 8 2018-2019 Issue 3

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 November • December 2018 5 A Word From CBA... A s 2018 nears to a close, Colora- dans will begin getting to know new state leadership and perhaps even a new normal in the wake of more than a dozen ballot measures that stood for a vote. While as of press time, election day had not yet taken place, I felt it bore repeating, how very necessary it is for bankers to involve themselves in the political process – and do not forget that the state legislative session is just around the corner. Involvement means more than read- ing your blue book, casting your vote or even putting a sign in your yard. Involve- ment hasmany facets ranging fromfinan- cial contributions to direct participation in campaigns. Who is in office matters to you and your bank. Bankers’ involvement and contributions are integral to ensure pro-business, pro-banking candidates are elected. It is also worth noting that these do not always follow party lines which requires evenmore evaluation and focus. Getting involved is much easier than youmight think; and it is more important now than ever before. Not only is our industry finally beginning to see (and feel) regulatory relief after eight years of effort, we know there is opportunity for more. And, at the state legislature, our work is never done. We want to ensure that proposals harmful to the industry and economy fail, while those good for the industry and our customers succeed. One of the many benefits of member- ship in the Colorado Bankers Association is the efforts it makes to facilitate involve- ment in the process. Through CBA, it is easy to contribute to a PAC (Political Ac- tion Campaign), to develop relationships with lawmakers and to educate oneself on how to advocate for our banks and our industry. Political engagement is, at its core, about relationships. PAC donations to candidates help open the door to estab- lishing those relationships, by making The Elections Might Be Over, but Our Work Is Not Done your support very clear. CBA staff can also help by visiting with bankers at your institution about the political issues im- pacting them, educate them about their elected officials and what their votes can mean to their job, salary and cost of living. Aside from financial support, rela- tionships with candidates and legislators are paramount, as they want and need to hear from you and to understand how proposals – and their votes – can posi- tively or negatively affect your institution and most importantly, your customers. Regardless of who won, reach out and congratulate them and offer to be a resource for them. You are an expert and odds are they are not. They will welcome the offer for assistance. CBA can help you with that, too. In January, CBA will kick off its seventh Center for Bank Advocacy Training Practicum – a yearlong learn by doing course in industry and policy advocacy. If you haven’t signed up yet and are interested – or know a banker who is – have him or her contact Mike Bintner at CBA. (Mike@coloradobankers.org ) More than 50 bankers have complet- ed the program since 2013 and many of them now serve on CBA’s government affairs committee and on the board of directors. Some of those bankers have helped develop advocacy programs inter- nal to their bank. Others now regularly travel to Washington D.C. and to the state capitol to make their voices heard to lawmakers. Whatever manner of involvement is most appealing to you, I urge you to act. If you would like CBA staff to visit with your bankers about engagement or to help your bank with a PAC donation campaign, contact Jenifer Waller at Jenifer@coloradobankers.org . Remember, if you aren’t at the table, you’re on themenu.Make sure you reserve a spot for yourself and your customers! n