Pub. 12 2017-2018 Issue 6

NEBRASKA BANKERS ASSOCIATION 9 Email Rob Engstrom at rengstro@aba.com . 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800 Omaha, NE 68124 402.390.9500 koleyjessen .com Dynamic Legal Advisors for the Business Minded Marlon M. Lofgren Donald L. Swanson M. Shaun McGaughey Thomas F. Ackley Max J. Burbach Matthew J. Speiker Brian J. Koenig Kristin M. Krueger Taylor C. Dieckman Our Banking, Finance and Creditors’ Rights Team: in issue and candidate advocacy, polling, research, and “get out the vote” efforts. • Establishing criteria for candidate support and outlining standards for engagement. • Expanding our grassroots infra- structure and preparing to mo- bilize as we near key milestones legislatively and politically. • Strategizing with our partners in the ABA-State Association Alli- ance, utilizing their boots on the ground for local efforts. These are all opportunities for ABA members to be involved and we invite you to be a part, too. Of course, it all starts with your state bankers association. All politics is local and no one understands that―or is a better local resource for you—than your state bankers association. Engaging in these efforts is not about checking a box for each activity. It’s about finding strategic opportunities to use your resources and your voice to expand the banking industry’s political profile. BankPac, the Voter Education Fund, and grassroots are important pieces of increas- ing our political presence and all allow opportunity for bankers to get involved. But we recognize that these components are not one size fits all. Each bank and each banker have different attributes that may allow them to interact with these opportunities differently. There is a place for every banker and every bank in these political engagement efforts. So, how can you be a part? Reach out to ABA and your state bankers asso- ciation to see how you are best placed to participate. For some, it may be joining BankPac; for others, supporting voter education efforts; and for more still, it’s being a grassroots ambassador―not just cultivating your own relationships with lawmakers, but educating your peers and employees about what’s happening in Washington, so they get involved. Political engagement is more than a contribution in an election year or contacting your lawmaker during an important vote. Political engagement is developing and maintaining a constant presence in front of lawmakers and the public that shows bankers are here, we’re paying attention to what’s happening in the halls of government, and we’re actively involved in creating a civic envi- ronment that is helpful to the American economy. The banking industry represents two million employees and millions more customers. It’s time our political will and engagement match that. That’s what we’re doing at ABA andwe invite you to be a part of it. Join us at aba.com/engage. 