15 THE NAFCU JOURNAL March–April 2023 but by connecting the right people, we were able to start a conversation, and the credit union knows their concerns have been heard.” Educating Regulators Requires Front-Line Perspective Advocacy is also important in regulatory affairs, even though the staff and agency directors are not elected. “Although there is not the same community connection that you find in legislative affairs, regulatory staff are open to learning how specific rules will affect credit unions and their members,” said Ann Petros, NAFCU’s vice president of regulatory affairs. “We welcome members who bring issues to us because it gives us a chance to be proactive and talk to staff, write a letter or set up a meeting.” One of the best ways NAFCU members can get involved is through the association’s regulatory committee, which meets once a month to talk about proposed rules and open comments. The feedback from the approximately 40 members who represent credit unions of all sizes, various areas of the country and different types of services provide Petros and other NAFCU staff a greater breadth of understanding of the issue so they can enhance their communications. “We also use the committee as a vetting process for ideas,” said Petros. “We had some NAFCU members who asked us to consider advocating for an expansion of CUSO investment authorities. The committee had a good discussion of the pros and cons of advocating for it, but in the end, decided that based on other agency priorities, it would not be beneficial for credit unions at the time.” The ability to look at an issue in the context of all new and proposed rules in process—as well as political considerations—is a
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