Dakota CU News & Notes

​First Community CU celebrating new Mandan facility with Grand Opening; Foundation grants are available for financial education, and several excellent job opportunities at credit unions! 

Dakota CU Foundation Grants Available!
The Dakota Credit Union Foundation is awarding five $1,000 grants to support financial wellness and education! But you must act quickly as the deadline for applications is June 30, 2022! These grants can be used for one of two options: the Zogo financial education app; or the CUNA Financial Counseling Certification Program (FiCEP). Both programs support the mission of “Financial Well-Being For All” and enhance the options for Dakota credit unions to further engage members in support of that goal. If you are ready to apply for a grant now, click here to get started! For more information, click here.
 
ALSO – You can join DakCU for a FREE demonstration of the Zogo financial education platform on Tuesday, June 14th at 2:00 p.m. (CT). During our one-hour webinar: Zogo – on a mission to promote financial well-being for all, we will show you how the app works and why it is becoming such a popular educational tool.
 
First Community CU Celebrating New Mandan Facility
First Community Credit Union is proud to announce their new location in Mandan is now open at 4614 Memorial Highway, Mandan. This beautiful new facility replaces the former Bismarck Downtown branch. The community is invited for Grand Opening festivities the week of June 20-24. All week long, enjoy giveaways, refreshments, and door prizes including a Butcher Block Beef giftbox, Cloverdale giftbox, Raging Rivers passes, Fireworks gift card, Dakota Zoo Family gift basket, restaurant gift cards, and more. On Wednesday, June 22nd there will be a free lunch and ribbon cutting ceremony. Stop by and check out the new facility and enjoy the celebration June 20-24!
 
Your SWAP $$ At Work!
Keep your eyes open for both digital and printed SWAP advertising – started statewide across both North and South Dakota! This includes both digital and printed billboards, online ad display networks, and printed newspaper ads in our contributing markets. Artwork on all platforms will be changed often to keep it fresh and eye-catching. Plus, don’t forget to pay attention to Gas Station TV (GSTV) whenever you are filling up your tanks, because those ads are running through the summer months! And remember, contributing credit unions also have enhanced listings on yourmoneyfurther.com, so be sure your listings are all customized and updated to maximize your placement(s)! Be sure to contact Lindsey Hefta if you have any questions, or to learn how you can support our Statewide Awareness Program (SWAP).
 
DakCU Seeking Administrative Assistant
Due to the upcoming retirement of Deb Kruckenberg, the Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU) is seeking a highly organized, detail orientated individual to join our dynamic team as an Administrative Assistant. This position is responsible for providing general administrative support primarily for our executive team and will support all staff as needed. Primary duties include managing our membership database including basic accounting, assisting with conference/meeting logistics, administrative support for our foundation, and assisting with our awards and recognition program, in addition to daily office routine duties.
 
The Administrative Assistant will work closely with all members of our team but will also function independently while handling projects and deadlines. As such, a self-motivated individual that enjoys a fast-paced environment will enjoy the opportunity to use their organization skills to keep staff and our office operating smoothly. To apply or to request more information, including required skills and experience, contact Karla Clark.
 
Lakota FCU Seeking Back Office Support Administrator
Lakota Federal Credit Union (LFCU) headquartered in Kyle, SD is seeking a full-time Back Office Support Administrator to support their mission of providing access to convenient, quality financial products and services in a friendly, professional, and respectful manner to help the Lakota people and the communities they live in achieve financial security and well-being.
 
The Back Office Administrator is responsible for providing administrative support in the areas of accounting, reconciling and producing back office reports including mobile banking and other accounting and compliance reports, working credit union exception reports, and providing payroll and other back office support services as needed. Primary daily duties will be to provide back office support for general credit union administrative activities, as well as providing backup and support in payroll and other general administrative duties.
 
The qualified candidate will have high school diploma or GED, and two years of accounting, administrative or related experience is preferred. Strong organizational skills, technology and computer skills, and strong customer service skills are also desired. Benefits include paid time off, health insurance, and retirement benefits. Work may be performed at the LFCU offices onsite but can also be done remotely. Pay range is $19-$22/hour, depending on experience.

LFCU is looking for employees who believe in their mission, have a strong focus on customer satisfaction, can work well with others, and have a desire to succeed. If this sounds like you, please fill out an application which can be found here: lakotafcu.org/about/employment.

WyHy FCU Seeking Director of Retail Operations 
WyHy FCU is a Wyoming credit union with approximately $320 million in assets. With branches in Cheyenne, Casper and Green River, WY, their footprint spans the entire state of Wyoming. They are looking for the perfect individual to fill this newly created position and oversee the operation of three retail branches and their contact center. Compensation DOE and includes a generous benefits package. To apply no later than June 15, visit the hiring portal at Work@WyHy. For more information contact HR Director Dorothy Moen at [email protected]  or call 307-638-4229.
 
Levo FCU Offering FREE equipment to Any Credit Union!
Levo FCU in Sioux Falls, SD has a night depository and a safe that they are offering to any credit union that wants it – all you need to do is pick up either or both from the Sioux Falls branch. The interior safe measures roughly 37 inches wide x 48.75 inches high x 24.5 inches deep. There are five drawer slots and two vault areas. For more information, contact Linda at [email protected] or 605-977-8313. Photos below.

NCUA Webinar for Small Credit Unions
Staff from the National Credit Union Administration will discuss strategies for addressing small credit union issues at a June 22 webinar, “Small Credit Union Challenges.” The webinar will focus on areas including strategic planning, succession planning, using technology, credit union operations, and warning signs credit unions should heed. Register here.
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Site-Four 10th Anniversary Open House Planned
Site-Four, a CUSO started by Explorers CU in 2012, is celebrating their 10th anniversary with an open house celebration on July 28th. This is a great opportunity to meet the Board of Managers and learn more about this CUSO that performs data processing for more than 100 credit unions across the country. Everyone is welcome, but kindly RSVP to April Tompkins or Alan Rogers. Feel free to contact April with any questions!
 
Register Now for Discovery2022
For more than a decade, credit union leaders have expected big things from CUNA Mutual Groups’ Discovery conference. This year, you can expect even more! Discovery2022 will offer sessions to help with your strategic planning and brand-new opportunities for networking with the credit union colleagues you’ve missed. The networking addition is thanks to an entirely new virtual conferencing platform, which also promises greater interactivity and richer learning experiences for everyone. Collaboration is the beating heart of the credit union movement, register now to join us on August 11, 2022, for an all-day, immersive (and free!) occasion. More information and registration is available here.
 
America’s CU Museum – Credit Union Women Making History
America’s Credit Union Museum has announced the launch of a new “Credit Union Women Making History – Herstory” exhibit. Honoring the past, present and future of the incredible women making history in the credit union industry, Herstory will be an interactive exhibit showcasing inspiring stories never heard before. The new exhibit will premiere at the museum’s 20th Anniversary celebration in September 2022. In addition to a physical display at the museum, the exhibit will have an online presence that shares stories through virtual visits. Everyone is invited to nominate a CU Woman from the past, the present, or someone whose work today is contributing to the future of the movement. For more details, click here.
 
Brandi Stankovic Joins Dakotas Sister Society
Dakota credit union leaders are familiar with Brandi Stankovic, as she has been a featured speaker at several of DakCU’s events including the MonDak Roundtable! Now, she is joining the Dakotas Sister Society as special guest speaker on Thursday, June 16th at 2:00 p.m. CT. Her topic: Being a Kickass Professional Woman! Join us as we chat about being unapologetically a professional powerhouse! Register here – everyone is invited to join! Contact Nanci Wilson at University FCU with any questions.
 
Free Webinar Series for Small Credit Unions
There is a free webinar program for smaller credit unions from CUNA. In this series, you will be connected to business partners that are vetted and known to work well with smaller credit unions. Partnering with CUNA Strategic Services, the goal is to deliver direct to your office presentations on services from small credit union-friendly vendors that can help you enhance your organizations and the services you offer members. Each month, two small credit union-friendly providers will present how their offerings can enhance your service to members. This free series takes place every second Thursday of the month now to December. Register for the series here.
 
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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.
 
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