August 29, 2019 | Jennifer McHugh | Director of Public Affairs & Financial Education
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Royal Credit Union (Royal) is launching a new program designed to strengthen the credit union movement and amplify the voice of young professionals. The Royal Credit Union Young Professional Credit Union Activist (YP CU Activist) will talk about the credit union difference with policymakers at key advocacy events. One young professional employed by the credit union will represent Royal in this role each year.
Amanda Farnham, an organizational development advisor, will serve as Royal's YP CU Activist from August 2019 through July 2020. Farnham will attend the Wisconsin Credit Union League's (WCUL) Hike the Hill event in September and Government Affairs Conference in January 2020. She will also participate in the Credit Union National Association's Government Affairs Conference in February 2020 and the WCUL Annual Convention in May 2020.
"I want to help educate lawmakers about the purpose of credit unions and talk with them about the financial issues that are facing young professionals," Farnham said. "It's important to have meaningful discussions about how public policy can help young adults accomplish their financial goals and live their best lives. I'm also looking forward to sharing what I learn with my fellow YPs and mobilizing them to take action to make a difference in the credit union movement."
Royal's President/CEO, Brandon Riechers, is a champion for YPs and the creator of the program. "Amanda will do an excellent job sharing the credit union difference and highlighting the important role young professionals' play in our movement," Riechers said. "Lawmakers want to hear from constituents with varied experience and different perspectives. Royal Credit Union is making this investment in its young professionals to ensure they have a seat at the table during these important discussions. We are very excited to launch this new program."
Farnham will spend approximately two hours a month expanding her credit union advocacy knowledge and preparing to attend the events by completing a curriculum developed by Royal's director of public affairs. She will also participate in meetings during lawmaker visits to Royal and will attend key political events in the community. Royal is covering all registration and travel costs for the YP CU Activist. Candidates interested in the position completed an application that was reviewed and scored by an internal committee of Royal leaders. Applicants were required to be employed by Royal for a minimum of six months, eligible to participate in the Royal Young Professionals program and have approval from their supervisor.
About Royal Credit Union
Royal Credit Union is a federally insured credit union proudly serving over 200,000 Members in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Royal is driven by a core ideology which is built on strong purpose and values. You can open an account or apply for a low-rate loan at Royal Credit Union if you live or work in 26 counties in western Wisconsin or 16 counties in Minnesota. Counties served in Wisconsin include Adams, Ashland, Bayfield, Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Lincoln, Marathon, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Washburn, and Wood. Counties served in Minnesota include Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Olmsted, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Wabasha, Washington, Winona and Wright. Realtors in the state of Wisconsin or Minnesota are also eligible to join the credit union. Call Royal Credit Union at 800-341-9911 for more information.
