16 Hoosier Banker September 2015 The annual round of regional meetings, hosted each summer by the Indiana Bankers Association Government Relations Team, has been steadily growing in popularity. This year, the meetings continued to expand in scope and depth. During recent meetings held throughout the state, a total of 181 IBA-member bankers, along with several associate members and 45 legislators, attended at least one of the eight gatherings. The purpose of the annual regional meetings is to give IBA members an opportunity to mix and mingle with elected officials in a relaxed luncheon setting. Preceding the luncheon, the GR Team briefs IBA members on the outcome of the prior year’s legislative session and summarizes forthcoming issues. Topics covered at the 2015 regional meetings included a variety of issues addressed at this year’s legislative session, including patent protection, local government investments, vacant and abandoned housing, state and local taxation, management of funeral trust accounts and state board of account issues. The regional meeting format ‒ which begins with a legislative review for IBA members, followed by a luncheon with legislators ‒ mirrors the setup of the IBA Annual Legislative Briefing and Reception held each winter. However, the regional meetings are smaller, more intimate and localized, resulting in enhanced grassroots benefit. Legislators at these and other IBA events welcome meeting with and hearing directly from their constituents. The annual round of regional meetings also gives the banking community the chance to thank elected officials for legislative success during the prior session. IBA staff and members in attendance at this year’s meetings had ample opportunity to express gratitude to lawmakers for recent positive legislation, while at the same time addressing issues on the horizon. The IBA GR Team would like to thank the following associate members, whose generous sponsorship made the 2015 regional meetings possible: Approval Payment Solutions Inc., Continuity, Donaldson About the Author Amber R. Van Til, JD, is executive vice president of the Indiana Bankers Association. She can be reached at 317-917-8047, email: avantil@indianabankers.org. Capital Management, Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, Lee & Mason Financial Services, Plante Moran and Profit Resources Inc. Thank you also to our dedicated members, associate members and Indiana legislators, who took time from busy schedules to attend. Your continued advocacy support of the Indiana banking community is very much appreciated. t GR SPOTLIGHT IBA Regional Meetings Continue to Grow in 2015 Watch Melodie Yarnell, Jackson County Bank, Seymour, as she shares insights on the importance of grassroots advocacy at the Bloomington IBA Regional Meeting. A board member of IBA’s Future Leadership Division, Yarnell is scheduled to attend the IBA Annual Washington Trip, Sept. 27-29. To view the video, access Hoosier Banker Digital at indianabankers.org, and click on the red YouTube arrow. t Video Bonus: The Importance of Grassroots Advocacy
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