Member News

Allen Insurance and Financial, of which GHM Agency is a division, has been selected as the 2023 Employee Owned Company of the Year by The ESOP Association’s New England Chapter. This award, which recognizes the outstanding employee ownership programs of its members, was presented March 15 at the New England Chapter Spring Conference in Burlington, Mass. 

The New England Chapter of The ESOP Association is comprised of more than 180 companies from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

”We are pleased and honored to have been selected as the winner of the 2023 Company of the Year by the New England Chapter of The ESOP Association,” said Michael Pierce, president of Allen Insurance and Financial. “We are proud to be an ESOP and be part of a community of camaraderie and accountability.

This award is recognition of the work we have been doing to grow our company and to strengthen our employee ownership culture  – these two go hand-in-hand on the path of our success.”

The New England Chapter judges were especially impressed by Allen’s many examples of that ownership culture in action.

Allen Insurance and Financial’s employee owners have a history of donating significant time and effort to support the communities in which they operate, and have earned many awards over the years for their generosity and the strength of their company culture.

The New England Chapter judges said:  “Allen Insurance and Financial’s employee owners are truly committed to their ownership culture, their customers, and their community. Their robust culture committee structure is a highly effective driver of their communications, wellness, and community service efforts, and we hope that their model can serve as an example for other companies both within our chapter and across the country.”

The New England Chapter judges continued:  “The company is therefore an ideal candidate for the ESOP Association’s 2023 National Employee Owned Company of the Year award and we are pleased to forward their application to the national office for consideration.”  

Winners from The ESOP Association’s 19 chapters are considered for The National Employee-Owned Company of the Year, which will be announced at The ESOP Association’s National Conference in Washington, DC in May 2023

ABOUT THE ESOP ASSOCIATION: The ESOP Association is founded on the belief that employee ownership will improve American competitiveness, increase productivity through greater employee participation, and strengthen our free enterprise economy. Online: esopassociation.org

ABOUT ALLEN INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL: Allen Insurance and Financial is a 100% employee-owned insurance, employee benefits, and financial services company with offices in Rockland, Camden, Belfast, Southwest Harbor (L.S. Robinson Co.) and Waterville (GHM Agency). Call 800-439-4311. Online: AllenIF.com and on Facebook.

Our Annual Spring into Savings with New Dimensions’ Savings Challenge starts on April 1^st! Throughout April, my “Tealmates” and I limit a “want” from our daily or weekly routines. In the past, I have replaced ordering out for lunch with leftovers. Others have chosen to forgo their morning caffeine stops or limit them. The idea is that instead of spending money on that “want,” you pay yourself by putting it into your savings.

Do you have a favorite fast food stop you regularly make? If you participate in the April Savings Challenge, you will put that $3-$10 into your savings account instead of purchasing a beverage or food item. Log how much you were able to save each week, and you might be amazed at your total savings at the end of the month! Be sure to let us know on Facebook how you are doing throughout the month, and on April 30^th, let us know exactly how much you saved. We are cheering for you and can’t wait to hear how well you did.

March is a great time to start thinking about the “want” you may forgo in this savings challenge. I tend to use March as my tracking month. I track my spending a little closer to see where I could make the most significant impact on my savings and still not feel like I’m restricting myself. I encourage all of you at home to play along and challenge yourself to grow your savings! 

If you need help with your budget or want to grow your savings, I am here to help. To schedule an appointment, email creynolds@newdimensionsfcu.com or call (207) 660-6267.

Come join us at 2010 N Belfast Ave in Augusta on Saturday 11/19 from 8am to 2pm for lots of Holiday cheer! Shop with local artisans and vendors and buy some sweet treats at our CAFCU concession stand where the proceeds go to benefit Special Olympics Maine. Rain, shine (or snow), don’t miss out on this fun filled day!

Throughout the month of July, Connected Credit Union will be collecting items for the Maine Children’s Home Christmas Program. The Christmas Program at Maine Children’s Home (MCH) provides Christmas boxes of brand new toys, books, games, warm clothing, and winter essentials to nearly 1,200 Maine children whose families are facing financial hardship during the holiday season. 

This July, they are in need of donations of brand new:

• Family Games – For kids ages 8 to 12
• Girls Underwear – Sizes: 3T, 5T, 7/8, 10/12, 14/16, 18/20, and Women’s sizes S, M, L, XL
• Girls Socks – Sizes: Medium sock sizes 8 – 9.5 and Women’s sock sizes
• Boys Underwear – Sizes: 3T, 4T, 5T, 6, 7/8, 18/20, 10/12 Husky, 14/16 Husky and Men’s sizes S, M, L, XL
• Boys Socks – Sizes: Small sock sizes 7 – 8.5, Large sock size 9 – 11, Men’s sock sizes
• Batteries – AAA, 9V, and C

Donations can be placed into Drop-Off Boxes in both Augusta and Winslow branch lobbies until Friday, July 29.