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League President/CEO Todd Mason, Governor Janet Mills, and League Vice President of Governmental Affairs Robert Caverly smile for the camera, before an audience of Maine credit union leaders.
On Monday, the League joined Maine credit union leaders in welcoming Governor Janet Mills to the Credit Union Service Center in Westbrook. The meeting marked Governor Mills’ first visit to the League since taking office.
The Governor joined members of the League’s Board of Directors and Governmental Affairs Committee for a private lunch to discuss how credit unions assisted during the pandemic and are helping with the ongoing recovery. The group also had a dialogue about the cost of education, affordable housing, and protecting members from fraud. The Governor offered a brief economic update as well.
League President/CEO Todd Mason provided Governor Mills an overview of Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger and Maine Credit Unions’ award-winning financial literacy programs. He tied together the importance of offering financial education to Maine students as a critical component toward achieving the Governor’s initiative to end hunger by 2030.
Governor Mills addresses League, Synergent, and credit union employees.
“We know Governor Mills’ time is extremely valuable,” said Todd Mason, President/CEO of the Maine Credit Union League. “We deeply appreciate her carving time out of her schedule to meet with credit unions and hear about the work we are doing to uplift Maine communities. Credit unions are committed to improving the financial lives of their members, and it was wonderful to share with her some of the ways they carry out the People Helping People mission.
Following lunch, Governor Mills offered remarks to League, Synergent, and credit union employees about the value of financial education. She shared how her parents encouraged her to pursue her own financial wellness at a young age, noting how she had her own newspaper route at age five. Governor Mills also mentioned that she frequently discussed budgeting and managing household expenses with her own daughters—a sentiment she is continuing with her grandchildren.
League Financial Literacy Outreach Coordinator Jake Holmes begins the Financial Fitness Fair with Governor Mills.
Jake Holmes, the League’s Financial Literacy Outreach Coordinator, then led Governor Mills through an abbreviated version of a Financial Fitness Fair. Holmes “assigned” the Governor a career and a sample credit score and offered suggestions for managing a budget on a broadcast technician’s salary. He helped her factor in education, transportation, and housing costs—even an unexpected expense of a fake speeding ticket. Upon conclusion of the Fair and the Governor successfully completing her budget, Holmes provided her samples of the free elementary curriculum that is available for Maine schools.
Governor Mills expresses her excitement after she successfully completes the fair.
“The Governor was a great sport and it was an honor to walk her through a mini version of our Financial Fitness Fair program,” said Holmes. “Since the program’s inception in 2004, over 70,000 Maine students have become fiscally fit after participating in a fair. It’s an impressive number and one that I was proud to share with her. I’m hoping after her visit, more Maine schools will be interested in hosting a fair or utilizing our innovative, age-appropriate curriculum.”
For more information about Maine Credit Unions’ financial education offerings, please email Holmes at jholmes@mainecul.org.
Governor Mills and Todd Mason are photographed together at the conclusion of the event.