Print
Seth Poplaski (r), the first Young & Free Maine Spokester, helped launch Young & Free Maine program in 2011.
For years, the challenge was known – How to attract young adults to become credit union members? The solution, however, was evasive. Until 2011, when Maine CUs came together to fund, support and promote the Young & Free program.
Once it was approved by Maine CUs, there was no looking back as CEOs gathered in Augusta to film a video announcing the program and launching the search for the first Maine Spokester. After an extensive search that received numerous entries and thousands of online votes, the first Maine Spokester was announced to great fanfare. Seth Poplaski, a diehard Red Sox fan, juggler, coffee-loving graduate from UMaine was selected as the first Spokester.
On July 1, 2011, the Young & Free Maine program officially began with Poplaski in the car affectionately referred to as ‘the green machine’ traveling across Maine, blogging and connecting with 18-25 year-olds. Coinciding with the launch of Young & Free Maine was the launch of the free4ME Checking Account, offering the ultimate account for the 25-and-under crowd. Combining some great extra perks with all the features that the younger demographic would ever need, free4ME helped attract the next generation of members.
When the Young & Free Maine program began in 2011, it was part of an international program that included numerous programs in the United States and Canada. Over the years, there were Young & Free programs operating in Canada (Alberta and Ontario), Indiana, Texas, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri, Florida, New Mexico, Michigan, Wisconsin, and of course, Maine.
Since Poplaski’s term as Spokester, four other Spokesters followed including Kylie Keene, Lauren Reeves, Mallory Lavoie and, of course, the final Spokester, Jake Holmes. Lavoie and Holmes served as Spokester for two-year terms, while the others served for one-year.
Since 2011, and with the help of Young & Free Maine, Maine credit unions have experienced a 35% membership increase with the 18-25 demographic, decreasing the average member age from 48 to 45 at credit unions actively involved in the Young & Free Maine program. The five Spokesters reached thousands of students through classroom visits, Financial Fitness Fairs, and other speaking opportunities. 1,366 blogs were published, hundreds of videos were produced, and countless memories were made.
“We can’t thank you enough for supporting the Young & Free program over the years. Thank you to the CEOs, the tellers, and everyone in between,” Jake Holmes, former Y&F Spokester.
On June 1, the Young & Free Maine program, one of only two programs remaining, ended its run. “The foundation is there, so just because the Young & Free Maine program has ended, we plan on continuing to build upon it and have committed resources to do that,” remarked Cheryl Lancaster, EVP of Member Services.
Holmes has transitioned into his new role as Financial Literacy Outreach Coordinator with the Maine Credit Union League. In this role, future financial education initiatives are planned to continue in many different ways, through a number of mediums, for a broader age group. The Financial Literacy Outreach Coordinator will help credit union members make smart financial choices through financial education efforts by providing relevant, responsive, and reliable research-based education. The Coordinator will:
- Maintain a Financial Literacy Blog on the Maine’s Credit Unions’ website
- Produce educational videos
- Act as the League’s educational liaison at Financial Fitness Fairs
- Engage with credit unions and business partners to create and maintain a network that supports the achievement of healthy financial outcomes
In addition, the free4ME Checking Account will continue to help the younger generation of yesterday grow into the fiscally responsible members and community leaders of tomorrow. Credit unions are encouraged to continue promoting the accounts.
“Young & Free Maine did a lot of great things to help connect younger members with credit unions. We have a strong network in place, and look forward to doing even more to build awareness about credit unions with young adults. I look forward to doing that in my new role,” added Holmes.
Though the Young & Free Maine program has ended, the commitment to connecting CUs with young adults has entered a new phase. Jake Holmes (pictured here) the final Young & Free Maine Spokester has transitioned to a new role focused with a significant focus on young adults. He is now the Financial Literacy Outreach Coordinator for Maine’s credit unions.