Thanks to Mark Curran, an SVP with Palmetto Cooperative Services (our hostel sponsors!) for writing this fantastic guest post on the story of his own crashing experience:

The year was 1991 and US financial markets were reeling from the continuing Savings & Loan crisis. Taxpayers were forced to accept a huge government bailout of the offending institutions, while healthy banks and credit unions were subjected to several onerous new regulations. The Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) had become law. Among other things, FIRREA consolidated regulatory oversight of S&Ls into the Office of Thrift Supervision. It also set new minimum capital requirements for banks and thrifts and expanded the scope of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) reporting.

While credit unions had pretty much been left out of these new regulations, the banking lobby was working overtime to ensure that credit unions be punished for their prosperity and general good deeds. They insisted that the NCUA was too soft on credit unions and couldn’t be counted on to effectively supervise. The only way to ensure that credit unions maintained appropriate levels of safety and soundness, they argued, was to put them under the control of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In addition, they pleaded that credit unions were not living up to their mission of serving people of modest means and therefore, needed to be subject to CRA rules. And by the way, the credit union tax exemption just had to be abolished, in order to “level the playing field.”

Up to this point in history, credit unions had very limited lobbying power and were practically invisible when compared to the well oiled banking machine. While credit unions represented the interests of millions of consumers, they had never mobilized these members into an effective lobbying force.

That was all about to change. In February of 1991, in conjunction with that year’s CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference, Operation Grassroots was unleashed. Operation Grassroots, as the name implies, leveraged the power of the people. No longer would credit unions and their members be silent on Capitol Hill. Credit union professionals, volunteers and members were invited to a rally on the grounds of the US Capitol and at hundreds of local rallies in cities and towns across the country. In addition, more than 6 million individual member signatures on petitions would be presented to Congress. Each member of Congress would be given the petitions from credit unions in their district.

As a young credit union executive, I was very interested in attending the rally in Washington, but didn’t have much opportunity. Only the CEO and a few board members were budgeted to attend the GAC each year. At the time, I was also beginning to grow in my career. I was finishing up my 3rd year at the Southeastern Regional Credit Union Management School (SRCUS), where my classmates had elected me President of the Class of 1991. In addition, I was just a few credits short of my Certified Credit Union Executive (CCUE) designation. I was active at the Chapter level, attending each monthly meeting and assisting with program development and fundraising activities.

While our Chapter was organizing a local rally in Charlotte, NC, we also decided that we should charter a bus and carry up to 45 interested people to Washington for the rally at the US Capitol. This would be for people like me who wanted to attend, but didn’t have the time or money to spend several days in DC. I immediately purchased a bus ticket and contacted family friends who lived in Washington, to see if I could crash with them for one night. Once they agreed to put me up, I submitted a vacation request to the credit union. I didn’t tell anyone where I was going, only that I wouldn’t be at work for a few days.

Early on the morning of February 27, 1991, dozens of Charlotte area credit union folks gathered at the designated spot and took our seats on the bus. After a brief stop at a local grocery store to stock up on refreshments, we headed out on the eight hour ride to Washington, DC. Upon arrival, while everyone else was checking into a hotel, I hailed a cab and took the 5 mile trip to see my friends. They provided a wonderful dinner, lively conversation and a comfortable bed. The next morning, I took another cab to the US Capitol, where thousands of credit union people were beginning to gather.

Each state’s delegation had a sign identifying where they were from, just like you see at political party conventions. I wandered through the crowd for about an hour, greeting several friends from SRCUS who were also there. Eventually, I made my way to the North Carolina delegation. There were hundreds of NC credit union folks present, many of whom I didn’t know – yet. One of the first people I made contact with was my CEO. He was surprised to see me, but supportive. He seemed impressed that I was willing to spend my own time and money to support credit union issues.

All told, there were more than 15,000 enthusiastic credit union supporters on the grounds of the US Capitol that day. There were speeches by CUNA executives and board members. Several politicians also addressed the crowd, pledging support for credit unions. They were clearly impressed by the sheer number of people who had descended on Washington to plead the case for credit unions. From that day on, the relationship between credit unions and Congress has been improved. For the most part, they understand that we strive to improve the financial well-being of our members and that we represent the only thing more important to them than money: Voters. Lots of voters who are willing take a stand to make their voices heard on behalf of their credit unions. Credit union professionals and volunteers also began to realize the importance of political involvement. No longer could the fate of the movement be left to chance. We needed to take our lobbying efforts seriously and not allow bankers to speak for us on important issues.

As we look at the issues facing credit unions in 2010, we’ve got many of the same pressures that we had in 1991. Financial institution failures and taxpayer bailouts create anxiety among our elected officials. In order to appease their angry constituents, Congress proposes and passes lots of new laws. Regulators enact new regulations to show that they’re being tough. Bankers never miss an opportunity to tell Congress how unfair our tax “subsidy” is. It’s up to us to keep the pressure on Congress and the NCUA to hear our voices.

In addition to the thousands of credit union professionals and volunteers representing our interests at the GAC this year, there will be 20 amazing young people who have signed up to “Crash the GAC.” These folks want to make a difference, but don’t have the clout to garner budget dollars from their credit unions. They’ll be staying at a local Hostel, thanks to a generous sponsor, eating modest meals and attending GAC sessions on scholarship. In many cases, they’re paying expenses out of their own pocket. They’re doing it because they believe in the mission of credit unions. They’ll be joining their state’s delegation during Hill visits, because they are learning the power of political involvement. When you see them, be sure to offer your encouragement. We’ll need their passion and commitment for many years to come.