TORONTO - The Food Family Credit Union assesses an annual fee toits 2,000 members, but in its newsletter it explained why under theheading "Dues for Democracy." They said, "Annually we assess theequivalent of 29 cents a week to pay for a variety of serviceswithin the credit union system. Included in the $15 being assessedto your account before the end of April are the dues paid for ourprovincial credit union association, our national association,including assistance for credit union development in third worldcountries, and our own educational and informational materials. Ourassociations also help us considerably in the relationship withvarious levels of government to ensure supportive laws." LancePorter, when asked why they felt the need for the explanation, saidthat although there were no complaints from any of their 2,000members they did everything possible to distinguish themselves fromtheir competitors. He refused to take credit for the wording,saying that he used John Mackintosh, a 30-year veteran of thecredit union movement to write the credit union newsletter wherethe explanation appeared. He did agree to take credit in hiringMackintosh. The credit union has a three-person staff. That is notthe only way the credit union tries to be democratic. When someoneasks the credit union about some product, service or procedure, heand his staff instead look for a way to make it happen if it is atall possible. As a result they have some other innovations. Anymember who joins automatically receives a $2,000 policy againstaccidental death. And although he can't guarantee it, Porter thinkshis credit union is the only one that has a mortgage payment whichcan be paid down at anytime over the life of the mortgage. Thecredit union, which services the food industry, has CND$12 (US$10)million in assets. [email protected]