Two more information meetings about forming an island-wide federal credit union have been scheduled for early next month.

The meetings will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3 at the Coupeville Library, 788 NW Alexander St., and at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 6309 Wilson Place, Clinton.

Another meeting will be scheduled later in Oak Harbor, organizers said.

Duke LeBaron of Bayview, one of the organizers, said the effort to form a Whidbey Island Community Federal Credit Union is part of an emphasis on living locally.

He said an island credit union would be owned and run by its members, and all its funds would be distributed locally.

“I believe we should support the local economy, local eating, everything local,” he said. “That’s my philosophy.”

LeBaron said 25 people attended an initial information meeting in Freeland, and that
14 filled out forms indicating interest.

He said 250 such forms are required by the National Credit Union Association before formation of a new credit union can proceed.

“That’s the first step,” LeBaron said.

He said Beverly Rose of Freeland, co-organizer of the effort, has had experience with forming a credit union, and will guide the effort once forms of support are obtained.

For information, call LeBaron at 321-7489 or Rose at 331-1110, or e-mail bubbybev@whidbey.com.