Dakota CU News & Notes

​CEO opportunity in Minot, Chief Lending Officer wanted in Rapid City, and several upcoming chapter events. 

Minot Women Connect Welcomes Motivational Speaker
On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, Minot Women Connect will welcome Kristi Pfliger-Keller to Minot. Focusing on “Leading Yourself,” Pfliger-Keller will help attendees navigate their own leadership abilities with a strong focus on personal and professional development. Her high-energy sessions empower audiences and provide perspective and can help identify areas for change. She brings humor and real-life examples to her training which is relatable to audiences of many backgrounds. Due to her expertise, she is sought after on topics including leadership, effective management, and team building. Pfliger-Keller is a member of TrainND through Bismarck
State College. Tickets for this event are open to the public (women and men) and are available for purchase on the Minot Chamber EDC website. Pfliger-Keller presentation will be at the Carnegie Center, Downtown Minot 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. For questions, contact Rianne Kuhn, Aspire CU.
 
CEO Opportunity in Minot
Aspire Credit Union in Minot, ND is seeking their next CEO in anticipation of the retirement of Mindee Kohlman. The preferred candidate is an energetic and experienced CEO capable of overseeing all aspects of the $165MM credit union while leading Aspire staff through strategic planning with the vision, mission, and values at the forefront to serve the credit union members. Click here for more details.
 
Highmark Credit Union Seeking Chief Lending Officer
Highmark Credit Union, based in Rapid City, South Dakota is seeking an individual to lead their lending department as Chief Lending Officer. Located in the beautiful Black Hills, Highmark Credit Union is a growing $255 million credit union and a $223 million loan portfolio. HFCU is seeking an individual to successfully lead the lending department and staff. The candidate will provide strategic direction in the lending side of credit union operations. Experience and understanding of Commercial, Consumer, and Real Estate lending is required. This individual should have a proven track record of lending, community service, personnel management, communications, problem-solving, and organizational skills along with a high degree of integrity. Preference will be given to candidates with credit union experience and strong background in Commercial Lending and excellent personnel management. A college degree is required. Salary will be commensurate with experience. To apply, please submit a letter of interest along with a resume to:  [email protected] or mail to: Highmark Credit Union, 725 5th Street, Rapid City, SD  57701. For questions please contact Kris Schmanski, Human Resources Director at 605.716.4444.
 
Foundation CUDE Scholarships available now.  
The Dakota Credit Union Foundation has approved two $2,000 scholarships, one for North Dakota and one for South Dakota, to attend the National Credit Union Foundation’s Development Education (DE) program. Those who complete the program receive the highly coveted CUDE designation. Cost to attend is $3,699 which includes lodging and most meals; travel expenses are not included. The Foundation scholarship will cover approximately 50 percent of the cost to attend. Apply for a Foundation Scholarship here using the fillable PDF application. You can find the upcoming DE class schedule here. Contact Shawn Brummer with any questions regarding the Dakota Credit Union Foundation.
 
New SalesCU Training
DakCU has partnered with SalesCU for practical and proven sales techniques and strategies that actually work in a credit union setting to bring affordable and convenient sales training to our Dakota credit unions. If you want to develop employees who know how to sell in a way that adds value to the member and leaders who are empowered to drive results through developmental coaching and meaningful accountability, we have a solution for you! Additional information and registration is available here or contact George McDonald, Chief Officer of Strategic Services at 701.250.3942.
 
Ongoing Educational Opportunities
Be sure to check back often for professional development training to see all current virtual training sessions that DakCU offers in partnership with OnCourse Learning, CU Webinar Network, and CUNA. On our website, click the “Member Resources” link, and then select “Professional Development” link, and click “Training,” to see what is available. Don’t hesitate to contact Paige Langhoff if you need assistance registering for any of these courses or are looking for a particular topic or type of training. 
 
Leadership Development – Work at Your Own Pace
Our iLead@11 DakCU Emerging Leader Program is designed specifically for emerging leaders in the credit union industry, based on the popular Leadership@11 program designed by Eleven Performance Group. It is an ongoing program that allows participants to start whenever they want and determine their own pace to the program! Scholarships are available now through our relationship with Alloya Corporate. Contact George McDonald, Chief Officer of Strategic Services for more information.
 
National CU Youth Month
April is National Credit Union Youth Month, the time each year when credit unions teach and encourage kids to develop strong financial habits. This year’s theme is Unleash the Power of Saving at Your Credit Union™. During Youth Month, participating credit unions encourage kids to share, spend and save wisely through their credit union with giveaways, contests, virtual financial education and more. There are many easy ways for credit unions to celebrate. Learn more, get free resources, and purchase themed assets and products here. Don’t forget about your Pee Wee Young Savers members– this is a great time to have some extra giveaways on hand! Visit the Igloo Mall today and stock up on promotional items.
 
Attention CU Marketers
Did you know your association has created a collaborative marketing group inside of our DakCU Mobile App? If you want to know more about what other credit unions are doing in the Dakotas, need some marketing guidance or assistance, or just want to bounce ideas and thoughts off other marketers, you are invited to join! The group is a closed private feed within DakCU Mobile. Anyone can request to join the group; only accepted members can see the contents of this group which is exclusive to DakCU affiliated credit unions. Download DakCU Mobile (if you haven’t already) which is available for both Apple and android devices. When you first log in, using the same credentials as our dakcu.org website, you will receive a six-digit verification code in your DakCU registered email address that you will need to enter into the app. As long as you don’t log out, you will not have to enter another verification code. From there, choose “Groups” at the bottom. Select “Join Groups” and find “Marketing Community.” Wait for a DakCU moderator to let you in, and let the collaboration begin! If you have any questions please contact Lindsey Hefta, DakCU Director of Marketing.
 
Red River Chapter Meeting
The Red River Chapter has scheduled their next meeting for Tuesday, February 28 at Garden Pavilion, 1421 7th Ave N in Fargo. Meet at 5:30 p.m. for social followed by dinner and program on Elder Abuse by Lyndsey Olson from Cass County Adult Protective Services. RSVP by February 17th to [email protected].
 
Red River Chapter Fargo Force Night
The Red River Chapter has planned their “Fargo Force Night” for Thursday, March 16 at Scheels Arena. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Tickets  are just $15.00 each and includes regular seat in the blue zone and “all you can eat” wrist band – hotdogs, chips, popcorn, medium fountain drinks, 16oz Bud Light & Coors Light are all included. Everyone is welcome, so why not make it a family fun night! RSVPS by March 8 to [email protected].
 
2023 CU Fin Health Conference
The National Credit Union Foundation is hosting their 2023 CU FinHealth Conference on April 18 – 20, 2023 in Las Vegas, NV. Explore credit unions’ role in improving people’s financial well-being. CU FinHealth brings industry leaders together to examine how credit unions are measuring financial health, working to strengthen it, and documenting and sharing the results. Attendees will discuss multi-sector solutions to address the drivers of financial well-being, explore strategies for engaging new partners, understand how to leverage technology to track and improve financial health, and share best practices. Early bird registration is $849, plus there are scholarships available now! Click here for full agenda, scholarship application, or to register.
 
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Please help us to make sure that your employees are receiving the Memo and are in our database for other important information.  We strive to bring you the latest important information related to advocacy, compliance, networking and educational opportunities, and more.  Is everyone at your credit union receiving this information?  Be sure we have the names, title, and email address of any new employees.  The more information your staff has, the better for all of us!  Email Shawn Brummer to be added to our distribution list or sign up directly here on our website.
 
In the Spotlight
Do you know someone at your credit union or another credit union, either employee or volunteer, who has an interesting story?  Nominate them for the CU Professionals Spotlight by emailing their name and a brief explanation of why they are “Spotlight” material to Shawn Brummer.
 
Share News
Submit your news to Shawn Brummer. Employee promotions, awards, new products or services, community involvement/recognition, job openings, all are welcome!