WESTBROOK – Underscoring the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” and the countless examples of the impact and role of Maine’s credit unions, the Maine Credit Union League will hold its 68th annual meeting and convention Friday, May 19, and Saturday, May 20, at the Augusta Civic Center, with a theme of “Maine’s Credit Unions – Reaching Out.”

“Reaching Out” was selected as this year’s theme to emphasize the significant amount of resources and financial assistance that Maine’s credit unions provided in the past year, not only to the communities they serve but to relief efforts, such as contributing more than $110,000 to tsunami victims, donating nearly $60,000 to Hurricane Katrina relief (the fourth-highest contribution from Credit Union Movements nationwide). Maine’s credit unions also completed another record-setting year for raising funds to help end hunger in the state, with a total of $251,000 raised through the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger.

On Friday, May 19, Senator Susan Collins will address the convention. During the two-day event, Rep. Tom Allen, Rep. Mike Michaud and Gov. John Baldacci will also speak to credit union representatives from across the state.

On Saturday, May 20, Maine native and inspirational speaker Travis Roy, who wrote the best-selling book “Eleven Seconds,” a story about Roy being paralyzed on his first shift in his first college hockey game and the impact that has had on his life. Roy will speak about his experiences and offer advice and guidance on setting goals and achieving them.

More than 750 credit union representatives from across Maine are expected to attend the two-day convention, one of the largest turnouts in nearly a decade.

2005 was another solid year for Maine’s credit unions, with the 72 affiliated credit unions reporting a combined growth in assets of 4.13 percent, loan growth remained strong at 5.28 percent, shares (savings) had a gain of 4.37 percent and membership exceeded 603,000 members. Today, approximately half of the Maine population enjoys the benefits of credit union membership and Maine credit unions account for two thirds of the state’s financial institutions, with assets of nearly $4 billion.

Founded in 1938, the Maine Credit Union League is the State Trade Association for Maine’s 72 affiliated credit unions providing a variety of services and products to assist credit unions in meeting the needs of their membership. For more information, visit www.mainecul.org.