Advocating on the West Virginia banking industry’s behalf is one of the most critical roles the West Virginia Bankers Association plays for its members. Advocacy at the state capitol during the legislative session is the most visible part of the advocacy function, but it is only a piece of a much larger advocacy effort.
The larger advocacy effort involves two components: issue advocacy and relationship building. Issue advocacy involves addressing state and federal issues, working with legislative and administrative offices and agencies, and coordinating and negotiating with other trade associations and interest groups. Effective issue advocacy requires identifying and understanding issues, educating policymakers and association members, fostering member consensus and formulating and executing strategies to positively influence outcomes. Relationship building is focused on improving the chances that our carefully prepared issue advocacy will find a receptive audience through active political engagement, fostering personal relationships with relevant decision-makers and building our reputation for being knowledgeable, thoughtful and trustworthy.
In West Virginia, the state legislature convenes early each year for 60 days to introduce, consider and vote on bills that shape the state’s laws and administrative rules. The legislative session unquestionably creates the most active and intense advocacy environment in which the West Virginia Bankers Association participates. I am looking forward to my first legislative session as the lead advocate for the association.
Association advocacy is a team activity. The “team” includes association staff, volunteer bankers serving on the Legislative and Government Relations and Political Action Committees, members of specific issue workgroups, subject matter experts and individual bankers from across the industry. By the time the session begins on January 10, the association team will have been busy throughout the year preparing strategies to advance beneficial bills and to address misguided initiatives. Despite careful preparation, the legislative session presents an environment for issues to arise suddenly and evolve rapidly. We are looking forward to reacting quickly and keeping you informed during the legislative session.
The association team engages in active advocacy throughout the year to influence both federal and state legislation and rulemaking. On a weekly basis, team members interact in a coordinated fashion with the state’s United State Senators, Congressional Representatives, federal agencies, state agencies, state constitutional officers and other industry groups. Team members are often consulted by federal and national policy leaders for perspective on how national policies will impact West Virginia and West Virginia banks.
The association expands its advocacy resources by working with the American Bankers Association and other state banking associations on policy positions, message development, issue education, grassroots and grasstops initiatives and best practice development. Cooperation with other associations contributes to a better perspective on advocacy challenges, increased effectiveness and greater efficiency.
The association’s advocacy team works throughout the year to foster relationships with key decision-makers through political engagement, personal meetings, community activities and participation in educational forums. The association staff and the association’s political action committee are looking forward to increasing support for bankers interested in understanding the advocacy process and providing training and opportunities for bankers to engage in relevant and satisfying political engagement activities.
The association’s advocacy role has never been broader or more important than it is today. Our critical industry faces challenges from all sides; the issues are often complex, and the appropriate responses may be nuanced. Only through a team approach can we achieve our maximum effectiveness. I am thrilled to work with such a deep, committed and talented banker team to advance our industry.
