Print
Some of the attendees to CU Day at the State House from CUs across Maine took time to pose for a photo in the Hall of Flags in Augusta.
In mid-March, CU leaders and officials from credit unions across Maine descended upon the Hall of Flags at the State House in Augusta, proudly "waving" the CU flag for Maine CU Day at the State House to legislators and staff. "While credit unions are well-represented in Augusta every day of the Legislative Session, nothing compares to having 'real' credit union staff, management and volunteers on site to interact with legislators. This was a great opportunity to build and strengthen local relationships between credit unions and legislators and to discuss not only credit union-related issues but issues important to their local areas," explained Elise Baldacci, Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the Maine Credit Union League.
During the morning-long event, representatives from nearly two-thirds of the state's credit unions came from near and far and spent time not only talking with legislators but also toured the State House and had an opportunity to watch both the House and Senate in session. "Maine CU Day at the State House demonsrates the high level of involvement that Maine credit unions have in the legislative process, and it also educates credit unions about how the process works. It is a really valuable and important day for our advocacy efforts," added Baldacci.
While the conversations between legislators and credit union officials were surely the highlight of the day, the presentation of the Legislative Sentiment, along with recognition of Maine credit unions in both the House and Senate Chambers, was certainly a close second. Rep. John Picchiotti, board chair at KSW FCU and a member of the Insurance and Financial Services Committee, presented the Sentiment to Todd Mason, President of the Maine Credit Union League, who accepted it on behalf of Maine's credit unions.
The Sentiment, which praised Maine's credit unions for the financial services they provide to consumers as well as the leadership in the effort to end hunger in Maine, read, in part, "We, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Legislature now assembled in the Second Regular Session, take this opportunity to recognize the Maine Credit Union League and Maine's credit unions for their positive contributions and the significant role they have played in the lives of Maine citizens and their communities for more than 96 years. Maine is a better place because of the service, dedication and contributions of Maine's credit unions."