THE LATEST
Growing Our Brand the Grassroots Way
Lori Godfrey Executive Vice President & Chief of Staff Government and Regulatory Relations
One of my favorite things to do on the weekends is to work an annual bank donation, purchasing our community in the yard. Whether it is building a new dry river bed or banking t-shirts, attending a fundraising event, or donating retaining wall, re-decking the deck, mowing the yard, or an item to our silent auction. Collectively, every dollar planting flowers, all of these activities do so much for my counts. Re-districting is coming up and will be done in a soul. Hard work, patience, and ultimately the pay off of the special legislative session later this year. Next year will be a completed project are all part of the process. It reminds gubernatorial race along with the typical races for the House me of what I do as a lobbyist. As your community banking and Senate. The turmoil of the last couple of years continue lobbyist, we are working hard to voice the concerns that our to bubble up and things have become more politicized than bankers have and let legislators know what is important to ever. Keep in mind, the community banking model is bithem. We are planting the seeds of the next issue/concern partisan and every legislator understands the importance of that our bankers may have. Then, we sit back and let the what a community bank means to a local economy. idea marinate a bit before we attempt to solve the issue by dropping a bill that addresses CBA will continue to offer a our concerns. We work hard with Keep in mind, the community banking variety of events throughout the legislators to perfect the bill. model is bi-partisan and every legislator the year that will support our Finally, we hope that the bill is understands the importance of what a advocacy efforts. We hope you passed and becomes a law where will make an effort to participate we can see the fruits of our labor. community bank means to a local economy. in our events. This year, we will be hosting new Town Hall Talks The funny thing is that you may be thinking well I am glad where our members can come together for lunch and a someone else does that job because it does not really town hall talk with local legislators. CBA is partnering with appeal to me. Guess what? You too have a vital role to NFIB for these events and we would love for you to attend play in order for us to be successful as an industry. As and bring one of your small business customers to join us. bankers, you help us plant the seeds with your legislators and local leaders that work and live in your communities. This fall, CBA’s annual clay shoots will be held at both the You let them know what is important to you and your small Burge Plantation in Mansfield and Wynfield Plantation in business customers. What you probably did not realize is Albany. As a means of honoring a long-time community that what you are doing is similar to what I do at the Capitol. bank supporter that we lost last year, I am proud to announce While I am speaking on behalf of our entire industry, you are that CBA will be renaming our annual Burge Plantation Clay helping us grow our brand the grassroots way and voicing Shoot to be the Chuck Harwell Memorial Annual Clay Shoot. your concerns as a constituent. Grassroots advocacy is the Chuck not only served as a huge advocate for CBA, but he process of communicating with your bank customers, local loved to network with legislators and tell them about his citizens, and other community bankers and asking them passion for community banking. We are truly grateful for all to contact their local, state, or federal officials regarding a that Chuck did for CBA and we believe this will be a great particular issue. After all of the success of the PPP program, way to continue to honor his memory. community bankers have shown just how powerful you are in our economy. I would love for us to leverage this Please continue to plant the seeds in your communities. success and continue to grow our brand. Why? Because… Make your voices heard. Together, we can make a difference. Communities are our passion. Banking is our purpose. I look forward to seeing us continue to grow our community Advocacy is our power. banking brand the grassroots way. In order for CBA to continue to be your community banking voice, we need your help. There are multiple ways that you can contribute. Whether it is an individual PAC/PR donation, J u ly/ A u g u s t 2 0 2 1 | G e or g i a C o m m un i ti es F i rs t | 5
