Pub.7 2018 Issue 4

The CommunityBanker 6 G reetings! I hope this letter finds you well and your bank prosperous. We are blessed; blessed to work in an industry whose primary purpose is to improve lives. It is humbling and fulfilling to show up every day to work in an industry that is geared toward facilitating the accom- plishment of financial dreams and objec - tives of our customers and communities. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Chairman and representing your interests, and the interests of your bank for the upcoming year; interests that encompass everyone from your employees to your share- holders to your communities to your customers. I do not take the charge lightly, and I promise you that I will do all that I can in my year as Chair- man to help advance our mission. Speaking of our mission, do you know what it is without looking? Don’t worry, this is not a test, here it is: Undiluted Advocacy. Targeted Education. Quality Collaboration. All three items are critical to our success, but if you attended the convention in Roanoke (and thank you if you did!) and heard my re- marks, you know I am a tremendous believer in the incredible power of advocacy and connect- edness to our policymakers. We should never take our eyes off deliver- ing value to our communities, employees, and shareholders, but the fact is that our industry is heavily impacted by politics. Time spent connecting with legislators, appointees, and policymakers enables us to better serve those in our communities. Our impact as community banks transcends politics. We need to ensure we always have a seat at the table and an empathic listener on the other side. Unlike technological, consumer preferences, and many other changes we watch develop over time and for which we can plan, political and regulatory changes can happen swiftly and arbitrarily. We need to always be engaged and shaping the conversation, not just when important issues are being deliberated and critical decisions are imminent. My challenge to you for the coming year is: don’t be a bystander on advocacy. In fact, don’t just be someone who attends banking as - sociation events to check a box to say, “I did my part”. I challenge you to get to know your del- egate, state senator, and congressional represen- tative. If you can get to know our US senators, that’s great, but harder to do. Challenge your executive team and your board of directors to do the same and become engaged. When we unite as community bankers and leverage a strong network of contacts with our message, we cannot lose in the policy arena. Our banks are the fabric of our local economies and a key support mechanism for our com- munity nonprofits, schools, businesses, and other important institutions. Let’s rededicate ourselves to making sure we are spreading the word to key policymakers about our work and how proud we are of it. Thank you again for allowing me to serve you. Let’s make it a fantastic year for the VACB. Chairman’s Message M E S S A G E Thank you By Brian Plum VACB Chairman Blue Ridge Bank