We are truly excited about member engagement in 2022. Your Executive Committee and Board have devoted much of our time in recent meetings to the topic. In that regard, we are hosting regional member meetings beginning in March that will continue into the second quarter. Why host member meetings? We believe it is a great opportunity to ensure the strategic and operating priorities of your Association are aligned with your bank’s needs.

These 90-minute meetings should be viewed as an investment in your bank, your Association, and the future of community banking. No vendors, no sales, just quality communication and collaboration between bankers. Steve will provide a brief overview of the Association’s priorities, including federal advocacy, member education and — certainly — collaboration.

However, we are most interested in your input during these meetings. For example:

• Could we do more (or less) in a certain area?
• Might we be missing a key support role?
• Should we connect community bankers in the Commonwealth with other bankers in surrounding states/mid-Atlantic? Maybe form some peer group exchanges based upon asset size?
• How can we provide your bank assistance with key operating challenges and opportunities?

I encourage you to reflect on the relationship between your bank and the Association. Most importantly, we will try to make the meetings as convenient and productive as possible. I hope you will join me, Steve, and other members for a meeting near you.

In addition to providing an overview of the regional member meetings, I also wanted to address member education. We are well aware of the numerous outlets and resources your bank has for education and that some may view it as a commodity. While the topics, subject material and delivery options may be similar, there is one distinct difference. When your bank selects a VACB education offering, you are providing financial support to the Association. As bankers, we tell our customers that banking with our community bank is an investment in the community, a catalyst for economic growth, local employment, and support for local nonprofits. I might suggest a similar theme for selecting VACB for your education resources. It is an investment in community banking and your Association.

Over the coming weeks and months, Steve and Katherine may be asking for your further support in leveraging the VACB offerings. Thanks for your consideration.

In closing, we remain energized about 2022. I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming regional member meeting and hopefully at the ICBA Capitol Summit in Washington, DC, scheduled for May 1-4, 2022.

Best wishes for continued success at your bank. Thanks for your investment and confidence.

Dennis