August 20, 2023
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Royal Credit Union (Royal) has named Jack Livingston and Morgan Lecheler as the new Royal Credit Union Young Professional Credit Union Activists (YP CU Activists.) Royal launched the YP CU Activist program in 2019 as a way to strengthen the credit union movement and amplify the voice of young professionals.
The YP CU Activists will serve from August 2023 through July 2024 and will work to share the credit union difference with policymakers at key advocacy events. Livingston will represent Royal at Minnesota advocacy events and Lecheler will participate in Wisconsin advocacy efforts. Livingston and Lecheler will be traveling to Washington D.C. in the coming weeks to participate in the Hike the Hill events hosted by the Minnesota Credit Union Network and Wisconsin Credit Union League. Livingston and Lecheler will meet with their state legislators in St. Paul, MN and Madison, WI in early 2024. They will return to Washington D.C. in March 2024 to attend the Credit Union National Association's Governmental Affairs Conference.
Royal's President/CEO, Brandon Riechers, is a champion for YPs and the creator of the program. "Royal Credit Union is proud to make this investment in its young professionals to ensure they have a seat at the table during these important discussions,” Riechers said. “This program has proven lawmakers are especially interested in listening to young professionals and enjoy hearing from constituents with varied experience and different perspectives. Jack and Morgan will do an excellent job sharing our Member’s stories and serving as a voice for YPs across Minnesota and Wisconsin."
Livingston, a Business Banking Officer, wants to raise awareness about the positive impact credit unions are making in the communities they serve “I am passionate about the difference that credit unions make for their Members, their communities, and the state. It is so important for politicians, regardless of political affiliation, to understand the economic and social impact that credit unions have.”
Lecheler, a Business Process Analyst, is looking forward to bringing back what she learns from this experience to engage other young professionals. “Being able to share the voices of our Members and address concerns in our communities directly to lawmakers is critical. I also see this as an opportunity to make connections with other credit unions and develop those relationships. Being part of this process will allow me to gain knowledge that I can provide to and empower other young professionals who are interested in the credit union movement.”
Livingston and Lecheler will spend approximately two hours a month expanding their credit union advocacy knowledge and preparing to attend the events. They will also participate in lawmaker visits to Royal and will attend key political events in the community. Royal is covering all registration and travel costs for the YP CU Activists. Candidates interested in the position completed an application that was reviewed and scored by an internal committee of Royal leaders.
About Royal Credit Union
Royal Credit Union is a federally insured credit union proudly serving over 290,000 Members in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Royal is driven by a core ideology built on a strong purpose and values. You can open an account or apply for a low-rate loan at Royal Credit Union if you live or work in 26 counties in western Wisconsin or 16 counties in Minnesota. Counties served in Wisconsin include Adams, Ashland, Bayfield, Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Lincoln, Marathon, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Washburn, and Wood. Counties served in Minnesota include Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Olmsted, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Wabasha, Washington, Winona and Wright. A complete list of Member eligibility requirements is available on the Royal Credit Union website. To learn more about Royal, visit rcu.org or call 800-341-9911.
