William J. Mellin, the New York Credit Union Association’s president/CEO, sent a letter to CUPAC contributors on Tuesday thanking them for their contributions, particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic created fundraising challenges. He also reminded credit union advocates that contributions can be made on the Association’s website.

Mellin’s full letter is below:

Last year, the CUPAC Board of Trustees sent you an email explaining why supporting the Credit Union Political Action Committee, which helps candidates who support the credit union mission run for state-level office, is so important.

The email also explained that the COVID-19 pandemic created a number of roadblocks for fundraising. In other words, CUPAC would have to rely on contributions from individuals rather than the traditional fundraising methods.

It was a big ask during a time period marked by economic uncertainty. But I’m pleased to share that many individuals — as well as state-chartered credit unions and CUSOs — stepped up.

Please visit our website to view a listing of all current CUPAC contributors. We’ll be updating and adding new contributors to this list on a quarterly basis.

And if you haven’t contributed yet, there is still time to do so.

Visit the CUPAC donation page to make your contribution today.

I’d like to thank and recognize all the contributors to date. Your commitment will help ensure CUPAC remains a viable and prominent political action committee. Additionally, CUPAC contributors will receive a special recognition at the Association’s New York Credit Union Virtual Advocacy Tour Kickoff on Feb. 22. I look forward to your participation.

CUPAC is one tool in the credit union belt that helps protect our industry. CUPAC works to elect candidates from across the political spectrum to state-level office who believe in the credit union mission and philosophy. But we can’t do it alone. Can we count on you to support CUPAC and help us in our efforts to protect the New York credit union movement?

Thank you again for your support.

Bill

Contributions to CUPAC are not tax deductible. Rules for state political fundraising require us to record the name and address of anyone who donates, and if the donor contributes more than $99 per year, we are also required to disclose the donor’s name and address to the New York State Board of Elections. Corporate contributions from federal credit unions are prohibited. State chartered credit unions may make a corporate contribution up to $5,000 per calendar year.