several students from Ideal Credit Union's Tartan High School branch and their marketing teacher met with Senate Education Committee Chair Chuck Wiger to talk about the success they've experienced with the student-run credit union branch. By working at the school's credit union

ST. PAUL, Minn. -� Minnesota's top policy-makers headlined the Minnesota Credit Union Network's 2015 Credit Union Day at the Capitol event in St. Paul on Jan. 27. More than 150 credit union leaders from communities throughout Minnesota gathered for this annual event.

Lt. Governor Tina Smith, Speaker of the House Kurt Daudt and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk talked about their respective policy and legislative priorities, as well as their outlook for the legislative session. They also emphasized that in-person meetings with elected officials are vital in helping to keep them informed about issues that are important to credit unions.

Department of Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman, a 2014 recipient of the Credit Union National Association's Desjardins Financial Education Award for State Government Policymakers, spoke about the importance of providing the state's youth with financial education.

\The Commerce Department and credit unions share the goal of teaching kids money management skills at an early age,\" said Commissioner Rothman. \"We want to help set the stage for them to build the financial skills they'll need to be successful in the years ahead.\"

Education sessions during Credit Union Day focused on grassroots advocacy and a preview of expected 2015 legislative activity. Members of MnCUN's \"The Crew\" �� a networking group for credit union employees 35 and younger �� learned insights about politics and motivations for running for office from Rep. Jason Metsa and Rep. Tim Sanders.

Before heading to the capitol to meet with their state legislators