The importance of banker engagement
As I mentioned in my Chairman’s Address at our Annual Convention back in May, one of my top priorities this year is to increase banker engagement with TBA from all levels of the bank. Most of you are familiar with the TBA Board of Directors, which is the association’s governing board and is comprised of 37 members: 24 are elected and 12 are appointed. But did you know that TBA has more than 300 volunteers that serve on 25 boards, committees, councils and task forces?
I’ve provided below a sampling of volunteer opportunities with TBA. I’m describing them in the hopes that one of them will spark a desire within you and perhaps others in your bank to become more engaged with TBA!
Bank Leadership Council (BLC):
The BLC brings together emerging bank leaders from every Texas region. The group’s role is to increase emerging bank leaders’ involvement in TBA through creating training and leadership development programs and encouraging involvement in the political process and advocacy through grassroots programs. The council hosts various networking meetings across the state and contributes valuable input on critical political issues.
Community Bankers Council (CBC):
This council exists in TBA’s governance structure to ensure that the voice of community bankers is always heard. The CBC council identifies and responds to community bank competitive priorities; represents community banking in TBA’s government relations policymaking process; and identifies a broad range of association products and services to make community banks more competitive.
Government Relations Council (GRC):
This group is charged with facilitating the membership’s grassroots political involvement. The GRC provides policy recommendations to the TBA Board with regard to legislation and/or regulation; provides TBA members with the opportunity to contribute to the support of worthy candidates for state and federal offices who believe in the principles of the banking industry; and to engage in activities that will enhance and improve the relationship between TBA and the Texas Legislature, Congress and regulatory agencies.
Regional Bankers Council (RBC):
The purpose of the RBC is to provide regional bankers an opportunity to develop policies and programs on legislative and regulatory matters, education and communications issues and products and services that reflect the needs and interests of regional banks — defined as having more than $2 billion in assets or as having between $500 million and $2 billion in assets and with locations in more than two TBA districts.
Future of Banking Task Force:
The Task Force’s mission is straightforward, yet critically important: to bring focus to the future of banking and to inform TBA’s way forward to 2030. This is one of TBA’s newest group of volunteers and already they have presented a robust summary of findings and recommendations to help community banks thrive in the decades to come.
Foundation Board of Directors:
The TBA Foundation Board runs the philanthropic arm of the Texas Bankers Association and focuses its efforts on financial literacy, educational scholarships, supporting communities through grants and contributions, award programs and Robbery Rewards.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Human Resources & Operations and Technology Committees:
Volunteers on these committees help plan the conferences for their respective areas, act as sounding boards for legislative and regulatory issues and coordinate peer-to-peer networking opportunities.
TBA Services Company Board (TBASCO):
The members of this board are charged with undertaking a lengthy investigative process necessary for endorsing quality products and services for TBA members.
Wealth Management & Trust Administrative Council:
The members of this council are tasked with development, strategic planning, evaluation of programs and services and financial oversight of the Trust Division. The council is also responsible for determining the division’s position on legislative issues.
Audit & Finance Committee:
The members of the Audit & Finance Committee oversee TBA’s financial well-being by reviewing the annual audit and operating capital prior to its presentation to the TBA Board of Directors.
As you can see just from what I’ve highlighted above, there are a host of opportunities for bankers in all areas of banks to become more engaged and involved with TBA. If one of these groups or some other opportunity with TBA appeals to you, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of the TBA staff and get involved. Your time will be richly rewarded and your service will not only benefit you and your bank, it will benefit the TBA and your industry as together we work to ensure that our banking industry thrives for decades to come. I believe that our best days are ahead of us as we lean in and work together for our industry. Strong Banks. Stronger Communities.