Look out for Little Guy
New Mexico credit unions have a great opportunity to introduce the “Little Guy” to lawmakers. 
The Little Guy represents working Americans — the people who belong to credit unions. He represents people from all walks of life — including, but not limited to, those of modest means. The Little Guy shows lawmakers where CU priorities stand.
Credit unions are working for “the little guy” and the new campaign emphasizes the credit union industry’s commitment to their members. The Little Guy campaign is designed to “change the conversation on Capitol Hill” in Washington, D.C. to focus on what is best for 89 million hardworking Americans who belong to credit unions. The theme is “Look Out for the Little Guy.”
CUANM wants Congress to understand that credit unions have always deserved their reputation for helping the little guy thrive, not just get by. This emphasis also reinforces NCUA’s Member Service Assessment Pilot sent to Congress late last year. The NCUA report verified that credit unions are serving who Congress intends — middle-income, working Americans, seeking to improve their lives. The American Payroll Association reports that two-thirds of the country lives paycheck to paycheck.
Congress should understand the debate on Capitol Hill never has been about institution (banks) vs. institution (credit unions). Rather it is about for-profit banking institutions attacking people — 89 million Americans who belong to credit unions. And people who vote.
More than a character, the Little Guy is intended to be iconic, an easily remembered point of differentiation about who credit unions serve. The campaign is designed to break through the cacophony of competing messages on Capitol Hill with one that is both memorable and meaningful.
The Little Guy is part of a coordinated strategy, which includes traditional print and radio advertising, online advocacy, Congressional visits on Capitol Hill and in the districts, as well as guerilla and Internet viral marketing tactics.
You are urged to visit your state and national lawmakers and to use the Little Guy as a leave-behind to remind them how important credit unions are to their members. You can also mail him to your representatives in Congress to remind them to stand up for credit unions and “look out for the little guy.”
Here are the links to contact your lawmakers:
Senator Pete Domenici – domenici.senate.gov
Senator Jeff Bingaman – bingaman.senate.gov
Representative Heather Wilson – wilson.house.gov
Representative Steve Pearce – pearce.house.gov
Representative Tom Udall – tomudall.house.gov
State Legislators - legis.state.nm.us
For more information about The Little Guy campaign, go to the CUNA Web site. From that site, you can order Little Guy leave-behinds and 4-foot tall stand-ups perfect for your lobby or offices.
CUs urged to send Little Guy to Washington