It's time we position ourselves as our community(s) local housing and finance expert. This may not be as difficult as it seems. Start with your local media. Newspapers, radio and TV stations are always looking for opinion pieces and for knowledgeable industry experts to speak on timely topics. Mortgage lending is top of everyone's mind. Pitch story ideas such as mortgage relief (Strategy Number Seven), Government Lending (Strategy Number Fourteen) and First-time Homebuyer Education (Strategy Number Eight). The same topics will be of interest to the Real Estate Community, the Chamber of Commerce, The Rotary and other Community Groups. Now is not the time to be shy.

Pitch your story, be ready, be flexible and be informative. Before too long, your credit union will become the recognized local expert.