BECOME A MEMBER OF THE MARYLAND CONSUMER RIGHTS COALITION

MCRC and our members are dedicated to fighting for economic justice and inclusion in Maryland. Together, we uncover systemic issues in our financial system and work to create policies that don’t just put bandaids on problems, but heal the system for good.

Membership is open to include individuals, nonprofits, direct service providers, community associations, community development organizations, faith-based institutions, civil rights groups, housing justice organizations, and more. Membership packages reflect the strengths and needs of each type of member organization to best serve our partners and the citizens to whom we are responsible.

By incorporating our partners and supporters as official members, we can better offer those invested in consumer rights opportunities to participate, learn, and guide our work.

Click here to purchase a 2019 MCRC individual membership!

Why become a member?:

Members will receive a number of tangible and intangible benefits including:

ADVOCACY – one of MCRC’s organizational focuses is giving voice to direct service providers and consumers throughout Maryland. By working together, we can direct Maryland policy to work for all consumers. Members of MCRC will be able to take part in the following:

  • State, Federal, and Local Policy Advocacy –

    • Take part in setting our advocacy agenda in Annapolis

    • Engage in state advocacy – meet with your delegates and state senators to give input on local and national consumer issues

    • Sign onto comment letters and sign on letters on federal issues, receive action alerts, and participate in meetings with Members of Congress

    • Participate in our Economic Rights Lobby Day in Annapolis, MD

    • Join our state delegation for the national Consumer Rights Lobby Day in Washington DC

Policy Research:

  • Work with MCRC staff to identify issues and potential solutions for your neighborhood and community

  • Participate in survey work to identify problems across the state for research and policy briefs

TRAININGS – an educated consumer is a powerful consumer. Our staff’s expertise in different consumer areas can help your staff, your community, or your congregation become informed and empowered. MCRC members have free access to the following trainings, consumer education workshops, and activities:

  • Policy & Advocacy Trainings:

    • Organizing around the Community Reinvestment Act to increase bank investment in your neighborhood.

    • State, federal, and local advocacy trainings-including how to advocate at the federal or state level as well as issue specific advocacy

    • Developing a Campaign – how to develop and mount an advocacy campaign for a specific issue

    • Participatory identification of key issues and policy solutions

  • Consumer Education Workshops:

    • “Know Before You Enroll” – how to help prospective students avoid predatory for-profit colleges and career schools.

    • Securing Older Adult Resources (SOAR) trainings for seniors to help avoid scams, identity theft, and more.

    • Buying a used car (without getting taken for a ride).

    • Improving your home (without losing your shirt).

    • Debt, Debt, Debt – how to avoid debt-related scams, collections and manage your debt in a sustainable way

    • Auto Insurance – How You Drive, Not Who You Are – addresses discriminatory factors that lead to high auto insurance rates in MD, proposes solutions and how to shop around

CUTTING EDGE NEWS – in our current political climate, threats to our financial infrastructure and security happen fast. Keep up-to-date as a member of MCRC:

  • Receive a monthly newsletter with federal, state news, funding opportunities, job listings, and more

  • Action alerts on state and federal issues

JOINT ACTIVITIES – And there’s the fun stuff. Members have access to the following events and programs hosted by us and our partners:

  • Co-host meetings with MCRC on economic rights issues in your community.

  • Discounted tickets to MCRC’s Annual Awards Dinner.

  • Become eligible for our new award – MCRC Member-of-the-Year.

  • Free access to MCRC’s Economic Rights Conference.

  • Become eligible to run for the MCRC Board.

How much does a membership cost?

Individual memberships are $50/year. Please click here to purchase your membership today!

I have more questions about membership!

Feel free to email jenp@marylandconsumers.org with further questions about the program.