16 MAY / JUNE 2019 About the FLD ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT On March 12, the Indiana Bankers Association Future Leadership Division held its annual Day at the Statehouse. This event was created to encourage FLD members to become more involved with grassroots advocacy on the state level. This year the event enjoyed its largest turnout, with nearly 70 professionals from 30 IBA-member banks in attendance. The day began at The Westin Indianapolis with opening remarks before jumping into a networking opportunity that consisted of group discussion and debate on an important legislative issue. Bankers were first divided into five teams to allow them to get to know their peers. Each team was then tasked with formulating a grassroots advocacy message on a position related to legalization of cannabis. The purpose of the activity was to allow attendees to think about being part of a grassroots organization, and how to best create a platform that takes into consideration their perspective, as well as the views of issue opponents. Next the group was briefed on the IBA’s Government Relations department by Eric Augustus, IBA vice president-government relations. Attendees learned about the legislative process, how lawmakers can impact banking and recent legislative updates. Attendees then enjoyed a brief walk to the Indiana Statehouse, where they had the opportunity to meet inside the chamber of the Indiana Senate. Sen. Eric Bassler, R-Washington, and Sen. Erin Houchin, R-Salem, addressed the group, sharing their experiences in the Indiana General Assembly and on banking matters. Among other duties, Sen. Bassler is the chairman of the Senate Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee, and Sen. Houchin is the ranking member on the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee. After the meeting, the group traveled across the hall Josh Myers Assistant Vice President - Member Engagement Indiana Bankers Association jmyers@indianabankers.org @joshmyersIN IBA’s Future Leaders Converge on the Indiana Statehouse to the chamber of the Indiana House of Representatives for a meeting with Rep. Woody Burton, R-Whiteland, and Rep. Martin Carbaugh, R-Fort Wayne. Among other responsibilities, Rep. Burton is chairman of the House Financial Institutions Committee, and Rep. Carbaugh chairs the House Insurance Committee. Both representatives answered questions pertaining to banking and offered insights from the perspective of the House of Representatives. Immediately following, attendees had an opportunity to visit with their own elected officials or tour the Statehouse. Through previously arranged meetings, several bankers took advantage of the opportunity to visit with their legislators, either within their offices or in the halls of the Statehouse. More than 15 legislators were visited during this time, mostly by small groups of constituents within their districts to allow them to either meet for the first time, or to build upon already existing relationships. This was the first attempt by the IBA to coordinate these legislative meetings on this scale, and we are encouraged by the conversations and opportunities created. Thank you to all the legislators and bankers for taking the time to visit. Returning to The Westin, attendees shared in a luncheon sponsored by Krieg DeVault LLP. The lunch program was a panel discussion moderated by IBA President and CEO Amber Van Til that featured IBA members who have been active in grassroots advocacy. The panel consisted of: • Michael K. Bauer, WesBanco Bank, New Albany; • William W. Harrod, First Harrison Bank, Corydon; • Lucas White, The Fountain Trust Company, Covington, and FLD past president; • Melodie K. Yarnell, Jackson County Bank, Seymour, and current FLD vice president. As leaders in the banking industry, panelists shared Click on the hand icon in HB Digital to learn more about the Future Leadership Division.
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