WESTBROOK, Maine—Maine Gov. Janet Mills met with Maine’s credit union leaders at the Maine CU League’s Credit Union Service Center here.
The meeting marked Mills’ first visit to the league since taking office, according to the league.
The MCUL said Mills joined members of the league’s board 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 league said. “The governor offered a brief economic update as well.”
According to the league, President/CEO Todd Mason provided Mills an overview of Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger and Maine Credit Unions’ award-winning financial literacy programs. He also sought to tie 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, according to the league.
“We know Governor Mills’ time is extremely valuable,” said Mason. “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.
Value of Financial Ed
Following lunch, the league said 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,” the league said. “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.”
That league reported that Jake Holmes, the league’s financial literacy outreach coordinator, then led 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,” the MCUL reported. “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.”
‘A Great Sport’
Added Holmes, “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.”