Around the Association

DakCU has a full fall planned, with the Leadership Exchange, Advocacy Workshop, New Ideas Conference and Small Credit Union Roundtable offering opportunities to connect, learn and engage.

By George McDonald, DakCU Chief Operating Officer

A Busy Fall Ahead Across the Dakotas
It has been great getting around to see so many of our credit union friends as we travel the Dakotas this summer on our listening tour. We appreciate the candid conversations and ideas you've shared about how your Association can better serve you. We're listening and already working on new partnerships, educational opportunities, and resources based on what we're hearing.

It has also been a challenging month for our credit unions as we work through the TruStage cybersecurity incident. We've tried to be as diligent as possible in sharing information as it becomes available, even if that means occasionally duplicating messages you've received elsewhere. Our priority is making sure you don't miss an important update.

We remain in regular contact with our system partner TruStage and their team and will continue to do so. Please reach out to Joe or me with specific questions or concerns. Your feedback helps us document what our credit unions are experiencing and communicate those concerns directly to TruStage.

New Fraud Protection Partnership
We've also received significant interest in our new partnership with Rippleshot and its payment fraud protection solutions. I'm already working to arrange meetings with several interested credit unions. If you'd like to learn more, please reach out to me and we'll get a conversation scheduled.

September: Leadership, Advocacy & New Ideas
On the education and networking front, we have a busy September ahead, beginning with our Leadership Exchange with Scott Simpson, President & CEO of America's Credit Unions, on September 22 in Bismarck.

This is designed to be an informal conversation, not another conference presentation. It's a unique opportunity to sit down with Scott and discuss what's happening within the credit union movement, the challenges and opportunities facing Dakota credit unions, and how we can strengthen engagement at both the local and national levels.

Later that afternoon, we'll offer a complimentary Advocacy Workshop. It's a great introduction for anyone who wants to better understand how we engage with lawmakers and regulators and a worthwhile refresher for experienced advocates as well. We strongly encourage CEOs to consider sending staff and board members who may be interested in becoming more involved. We'll finish the day with networking and a Fireside Chat featuring Scott Simpson and DakCU President & CEO Joe Keller.

Then it's on to the New Ideas Conference, September 23–24 in Mandan.

We believe this year's New Ideas features one of the strongest combinations of presenters and topics we've put together. But what makes this conference special has always been the interaction among attendees. Marketing professionals sit alongside CEOs, operations leaders connect with HR, and lending staff exchange ideas with IT and technology professionals. You simply never know where that next great new idea will come from!

If you're planning to attend the Leadership Exchange, we encourage you to stay another couple of days and experience New Ideas. And if you're already coming to New Ideas, come a day early and join us for the Advocacy Workshop, networking, and Fireside Chat.

Early-bird pricing for New Ideas ends at the end of August, so register soon.

Small Credit Union Roundtable – October 20
We're also pleased to announce the return of our Small Credit Union Roundtable on Tuesday, October 20, at the Hampton Inn in Watertown, South Dakota.

Designed specifically for credit unions with $125 million in assets and below, this educational and networking event continues to be a favorite among our smaller credit union leaders. The open format encourages candid conversation, idea sharing, and discussion of the unique opportunities and challenges facing smaller credit unions.
It's a great opportunity to learn from one another, make connections, and take home ideas you can put to work in your credit union. We hope to see you in Watertown!

With the Leadership Exchange, Advocacy Workshop, New Ideas Conference, and Small Credit Union Roundtable all ahead, we have an exciting fall planned. We hope you'll take advantage of these opportunities to learn, connect, and engage with your fellow Dakota credit union leaders.

George