Moray Firth Credit Union seeks new volunteers to help in Elgin and Buckie, and join board
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AN expanding savings and loans cooperative started in the centre of Forres is looking for volunteers as it expands across Moray and Nairn.
Moray Firth Credit Union (MFCU), formerly Forres Area Credit Union until 2020 and still based at 53 High Street, is now offering face-to-face services at The Bow Café in The Square, 61-63 High Street, Elgin (open Mondays from 11am until 1pm), as well as Moray Reach Out, 23 East Church Street, Buckie (open Wednesdays 11am until 1pm).
Voluntary chairwoman, Lorna Creswell, confirmed MFCU needs new board members from across its extended field of membership.
She said: “Recruiting volunteers from across the area will save the Forres-based staff and volunteers travel time with winter weather soon to be a possible barrier to travelling. We’ve been attracting new members so we hope some will volunteer if they have the spare time.”
Anyone interested in joining the board is encouraged to call 01309 676735 or email info@morayfirthcreditunion.co.uk to arrange a meeting to hear what is involved.
Lorna said: “We’ve found it difficult to replace board members who retired last year so we welcome anyone interested in developing the social enterprise. Our current board is mostly from Forres, with only one from outwith as well as a supervisory member who lives in Speyside.
“We offer competitive and fair financial services. We are not for profit, not for charity but for people helping people.”
MFCU board meetings are currently conducted via Zoom but it is hoped this year’s AGM on December 8 will be face-to-face at the Forres office.
The social enterprise offers online access and has extended Forres opening hours for face-to-face meetings to 10.30am-1.30pm.
MFCU benefited from a Berry Burn Community Grant that helped cover part-time wages, promotion and development.
Lorna said: “It allowed us to plan ahead with improvements to our premises and configure our new tailor-made accounting system. Equifax allows credit checks for borrowers and a number of members have been surprised with good responses from it.”
She added: “Our end of year finances are predicted to be in a better position than last year as so many members struggled with loan repayments then. We have money to lend but we have to confirm members can afford them before fulfilling the request while complying with financial services regulations.”
For more information visit https://www.morayfirthcreditunion.co.uk/
