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BURLINGTON, Vt.-An Occupy-related group that was created to increase member participation at Vermont FCU here has rebranded itself following concerns from the credit union about infringing on the VFCU trademark.
Originally known as the Vermont FCU Members Assembly, the group has changed its name to Members for Credit Union Democracy. A statement on its website (vfcuma.blogspot.com) notes that because the group's original intent "was solely to identify with other member-owners and not used in a commercial manner," it felt the original name was legitimate. However it complied with VFCU's request to change its name, because the credit union did not want others to get the impression that the group was sanctioned or endorsed by VFCU.
The group now considers itself as the Vermont Federal chapter of what it hopes will grow to be a larger organization of like-minded credit union advocates.
"As a bottom-up federation of groups of engaged members working to increasing rank-and-file member empowerment at their credit unions, it is our hope that M4CUD will serve both as a clearinghouse for news and ideas coming out of grassroots campaigns happening within credit unions across the country, and as a support network for newly active credit union members working to defend their democracy at their credit unions from such threats as demutualization."
The Burlington-based group is currently reaching out to members at other CUs to create an organizational platform, structure and agenda. It hopes to begin working with other chapters by October.
For more info: vfcuma.blogspot.com; www.facebook.com/pages/Members-for-Credit-Union-Democracy-Vermont-Federal-Chapter/299680636754737; www.vermontfederal.org
Subscribers can read a related story at www.cujournal.com by searching the following headline:
"How Vermont FCU Board Is Now Getting Occupied," July 30
Credit: By Aaron Passman
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