Dakota CU News & Notes

​Mike Nelson selected for Elevate Leadership; Hometown CU seeking loan officers for their Lincoln office; and a FREE webinar on fraud trends and best practices. 

Mike Nelson Selected for Elevate Leadership
Black Hills FCU’s Process Improvement Analyst, Mike Nelson, has been selected for Elevate Leadership Institute’s class of 2024. Elevate Leadership Institute’s mission is to better the region’s future by instilling individuals with leadership qualities and perspectives that mold everyday actions.
 
Since Nelson made Rapid City home, he has been seeking out opportunities to help improve the community. A South Dakota native, Nelson moved to Rapid City to study Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. During this time, he served six years as a jet engine mechanic in the South Dakota Air Force National Guard. While in college, Nelson also met his wife, and after graduation, they agreed Rapid City was the place they wanted to make a life.
 
In his role at BHFCU, Nelson uses much of the knowledge he picked up while studying engineering management. He was naturally set up to help streamline and improve BHFCU’s processes and workflows. “A big part of what I do is foster a culture of continuous improvement for the credit union,” explained Nelson. Congratulations, Mike, for the well-deserved recognition as a 2024 Elevate Leadership Institute class member.
 
ICU Day Webinar from Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions
The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) is hosting a webinar, Global Connections, on October 19, to celebrate International Credit Union Day (ICU Day) with panelists from Venezuela and Ukraine. The virtual event, scheduled for 9 a.m. C.T. will feature the following journeys with credit unions: Astrid Dunn, a Venezuelan dentist living in Peru; Mariammer Paredes, a Venezuelan entrepreneur living in Ecuador; and Olga Tugai, President, All-Ukrainian Credit Union Association (Ukraine). The featured panelists will speak primarily in Spanish and Ukrainian, with English translations provided.
 
ICU Day has traditionally been a day of advocacy and celebration for credit unions, and in recognition of the milestone 75th anniversary, WFCU is bringing awareness to the significant financial inequality that persists worldwide through the Members Helping Members campaign.

The Members Helping Members campaign is raising money to bridge the financial inclusion gap and give millions of people around the world access to the financial services they don’t currently have. Money raised will go towards supporting credit union resilience in Ukraine, empowering women leaders in credit unions, growing young credit union professionals and many more WFCU initiatives around the world. To register for the webinar, visit the Zoom form here.

Check Scanners For Sale
Ft. Randall FCU has two used check scanners available for just $50 each. The models include one Canon CR-LI and one Canon CR-80. The machines are all in working condition; the credit union underwent a software conversion and can no longer use. Please contact Audrey Fink at 605-384-5332 if you are interested. The items could possibly be delivered to the New Ideas Conference, or they are willing to work with you to make other arrangements. 
 
Hometown CU Seeking Loan Officers
Hometown Credit Union is seeking a residential loan officer and a commercial loan officer for their Lincoln, ND location. Member-focused, energetic individuals with strong communication skills and solid decision-making abilities are encouraged to apply. Responsibilities include developing lending relationships with members, originating and servicing existing loan portfolios, and taking an active role in the community. A degree in finance, business, accounting, or related field or lending experience is preferred, but not required; willing to train a new residential loan officer. Five years of experience is required for the commercial loan officer position. Salary is negotiable based upon experience. Please submit cover letter and resume to: Hometown Credit Union, PO Box 230, Ashley ND 58413 or email to Abby Wolf, VP of Human Resources at [email protected].
 
Riverfork FCU Seeking Next CEO
Riverfork Federal Credit Union based in Grand Forks, North Dakota, is now seeking its next CEO. With $30 million in assets and nearly 2,200 members, the credit union focuses on its community, members, vision, teamwork, and products to achieve success. Riverfork desires a forward-thinking, community-oriented, service-focused leader to work with an engaged Board of Directors. The selected candidate will be responsible for providing leadership, planning, and oversight of all credit union activities in accordance with policies and objectives established by the Board of Directors. Click here for more information.
 
CEO Opportunity in Nebraska
Spirit of America Federal Credit Union, located in Lincoln, Nebraska, with $60 million in assets, is seeking an experienced leader for the position of President/Chief Executive Officer. A candidate should have a proven track record of excellence as an executive or senior management team member along with a strong business and financial background. The individual must have the ability to work with the board of directors in refining the strategic direction of the credit union; ensure short and long-term financial health, provide outstanding and innovative service to members, ensure operational efficiencies, and establish a strong corporate presence.
 
Qualified candidates must have at least 7 years of executive or senior management experience in a financial institution. A bachelor’s degree in finance or related field is required. Please submit cover letter and resume to: Spirit of America FCU CEO Search, P.O Box 45526, Omaha NE 68145, or email to: [email protected] by October 17th.
 
FREE Webinar: Stand Against Fraud - Trends and Best Practices
Traditional identity fraud and resulting losses are increasing. What can your credit union do? Join Envisant for a free webinar on Tuesday, November 14, at 2:00 p.m. (CT) for a look at fraud trends and best practices for your credit union to help guard against it. Register here.
 
Central Chapter October Meeting
The SD Central Chapter has scheduled their meeting for Tuesday, October 17 at the Huron Event Center starting at 6:00 p.m. The evening’s topic will be cyber security with Ben Prill from Vantage Point. Dinner choice of chicken marsala or roast beef; mashed potatoes, green beans, and dinner roll for $25/per person. Kindly RSVP to Lisa Snedeker.   
 
Credit Unions United Chapter Halloween Social
The Credit Unions United Chapter will hold their progressive Halloween social on Tuesday, October 24 starting at 6:00 p.m. There will be prizes for best group costume, best individual costume, and most creative food. Please RSVP by October 17 to Jennifer Jerauld. Use your brainy creativity and have some spooky fun!

---

Celebrating 75 Years of International CU Day!
Join the celebration of the 75th International Credit Union (ICU) Day on Oct. 19, 2023. ICU Day offers a platform to reflect on the credit union movement's rich history and to highlight its current achievements and future aspirations. Since its inception in 1948, the annual event has taken place on the third Thursday of October, serving as a beacon for credit union innovation, member experiences and social impact. CUNA has created a suite of ICU Day products, including free-resource downloads to support credit unions in their celebration planning. Mark your calendars now!
 
SalesCU Training
Due to popular demand, additional dates have been added for SalesCU workshops. SalesCU training offers 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 sales leaders who are empowered to drive results through developmental coaching and meaningful accountability, we have a solution for you! Additional information on upcoming sessions available here or contact George McDonald, Chief Officer of Strategic Services at 701.250.3942.
 
Leadership Development
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. Scholarships are also available through Dakota Credit Union Foundation by completing the application form found here.
 
Help Us Stay Up to Date with Your Staff
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!