12 Hoosier Banker January 2016 GR SPOTLIGHT The New Year is upon us, and schedules are filling fast for busy banking professionals. The demands of running profitable institutions are intensified by regulatory compliance, security issues, and the many-faceted needs of the communities that banks serve. Why, then, would bankers devote additional resources to grassroots advocacy? The answer is that grassroots advocacy is an investment. The investment is time and effort, and the return is helping to sustain an environment in which banks can succeed, as stated in the Indiana Bankers Association mission.* Without advocacy, a banker’s life can become more challenging overnight with the legislative stroke of a pen. Your IBA Government Relations Team is geared up and ready for the upcoming Indiana legislative session. We will be active day and night for the next three months of this short session, but our efforts are most effective when combined with your grassroots efforts. Lawmakers listen when constituents speak. Additionally, as public servants, they are especially attuned to the voices of those who likewise work in service to others, and they welcome hearing from you. At this start of this fresh New Year, please pull out your calendar to see how you can engage in the legislative process. The IBA offers several opportunities: • Legislative Briefing and Reception, Jan. 19, Westin Indianapolis – The IBA hosts this popular event at the start of each legislative session. The purpose is two-fold: to brief IBA members on topics on the upcoming legislative agenda, and to give members a chance to meet face-to-face with elected officials. About 200 bankers and legislators are expected to attend this year’s event, and we have room for more, if you have not yet registered. • FLD Day at the Statehouse, Feb. 9, Hilton Indianapolis Hotel ‒ Inaugurated last year by IBA’s Future Leadership Division, this event helps emerging bank leaders throughout the state learn the basics of lobbying, with interactive presentations from Indiana elected officials and the IBA GR Team. After briefings and a networking lunch, attendees put insight into action by walking to the Statehouse to observe proceedings and to visit with elected officials. Last year about 50 participants attended, and in December the event won a statewide award as Outstanding Individual Program/Event by the Indiana Society of Association Executives. • IBA Regional Meetings, summer 2016 – Held during summer months in multiple locations, IBA’s annual round of Regional Meetings brings IBA members and legislators together in localized settings for relaxed, small-setting networking. Each Regional Meeting begins with a briefing for IBA members by the GR Team, including a summary of the previous year’s legislative session and an advance look at forthcoming issues. Following the briefing, area legislators join with bankers for a mix-and-mingle luncheon. • IBA Annual Washington Trip, Sept. 25-27, Washington, D.C. – This hallmark event takes the Indiana banking community to our nation’s capital for meetings with regulatory agencies, the American Bankers Association and Independent Community Bankers of America, and the Indiana congressional delegation. Last year’s trip attendance was at an all-time high of 88 attendees, 57 of whom were bankers. As IBA Chairman Mike Head summarized on page 9 of this issue, this strong showing demonstrated loud and clear that “Indiana community bankers mean business.” For the year ahead, please consider how you can resolve to engage in grassroots advocacy in support of your industry. In addition to the events above, we urge members to stay informed through IBA E-News, Voter Voice, the IBA website at indianabankers.org, and by subscribing to the IBA Insighter. For more information about any of these offerings, please contact Josh Myers at 317-9178047, email: jmyers@indianabankers. org. t New Year’s Resolution: Engage in Grassroots 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. * The mission of the Indiana Bankers Association is: “To advocate for and sustain an environment in which banks can succeed.”
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