DakCU Leaders Advocate Together

Dakota credit union leaders came together in Fargo for a day of advocacy training and collaboration.

On August 12, Dakota credit union leaders gathered in Fargo for a day dedicated to advocacy, collaboration, and professional growth. Two back-to-back events the inaugural Advocacy 101 Workshop: Creating Credit Union Champions and the annual Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU) Professionals Forum brought together professionals from across the Dakotas to strengthen their knowledge and connections.

The day began with the Advocacy 101 Workshop, led by DakCU President/CEO Jeff Olson and Director of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs John Alexander. This powerful training session prepared participants with the tools and confidence to protect the future of the credit union movement. Attendees explored the threats facing the credit union tax status, reviewed the latest findings from the Feinberg-Meade study, and practiced strategies for effectively sharing the credit union story with lawmakers, media, and community members.

A highlight of the workshop was a presentation from Austin DeBey, Director of Advocacy for the American Association of Credit Union Leagues. With 25 years of experience in advocacy—and a personal history with DakCU that began with mowing lawns and washing vehicles at the main office, Austin offered both expertise and inspiration. All 15 participants left with a renewed commitment to advocacy, symbolized by receiving a DakCU Advocate pledge pin as a reminder that the movement is strongest when leaders speak out together. 
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​In the afternoon, attention shifted to the DakCU Professionals Forum. This annual event drew representatives from both large and small credit unions, creating a unique space for open dialogue about the issues shaping the credit union industry. Topics submitted by attendees included fraud prevention, staffing challenges, branch operations, membership growth, lending and product strategies, vendor solutions, and of course, advocacy.
The forum concluded with a casual social hour, generously sponsored by Millennium Corporate. Attendees enjoyed refreshments and continued conversations in a relaxed setting, building on the connections and ideas sparked throughout the day.

Together, these events provided a meaningful blend of advocacy training, peer-to-peer learning, and networking opportunities. By equipping leaders with knowledge and fostering collaboration, DakCU is helping ensure that credit unions across the Dakotas remain strong advocates for their members and communities well into the future.