The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2012 the International Year of Cooperatives! As the largest cooperative in the state, Maine’s Credit Unions have been happy to get in on the action!

Maine credit unions were an active participant of July’s ‘Celebrate Portland Festival,’ an event that celebrated the value and important role of credit unions as cooperatives. It was held on Saturday, July 7, which was officially International Cooperative Day. The event marked the conclusion of the Cabot Community Tour, an event that included bicyclists riding from Miami to Portland with stops in communities along the east coast. The Tour’s primary purpose was to promote community and cooperatives and, as Maine’s largest group of cooperatives, Maine’s credit unions were prominently featured in the Portland event, which marked the conclusion of the Tour. The Tour’s conclusion was designed to coincide with International Cooperative Day, and was featured as the day’s “largest celebration of co-ops around the country.” Held at Payson Park in Portland, Maine’s credit unions had a strong presence including a tent featuring Young & Free Maine Spokester, Kylie Keene, connecting with the 25-and-under crowd and several other credit unions participating.

“The event was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the strength of credit unions and the cooperative spirit that makes Maine such a strong cooperative state,” remarked John Murphy, president of the Maine Credit Union League.

Want to see a cooperative in action? Visit a local credit union, and learn the many benefits worth celebrating! Visit www.mainecreditunions.org to find one near you.

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