Dakota CU News & Notes

​Observing Veterans Day; Capital CU adds financial advisor to staff; CEO opportunity in South Dakota; and multiple FREE webinars! 

Keenan J. Retterath

DakCU Offices Closed in Observance of Veterans Day
DakCU offices will be closed on Friday, November 10th, in recognition of Veterans Day, which falls on Saturday, November 11th this year. During the “The Great War,” fighting ceased when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The observance of Veterans Day on November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
 
Capital CU Announces CFS Financial Advisor Keenan J. Retterath
Capital Credit Union has announced the hiring of Keenan J. Retterath, a financial advisor registered through broker dealer and Registered Investment Advisor CUSO Financial Services, LP (CFS). He has six years of experience in investment services and will be based at Capital Credit Union’s Main Office in Bismarck. As a financial advisor, Retterath will be responsible for helping credit union members build personalized financial plans by reviewing priorities such as retirement plan rollovers, insurance, business retirement plans, retirement income strategies, tax efficient investments, saving for college, and more.
 
“I am excited for the new challenges and opportunities that await me at Capital Credit Union,” says Retterath. “Along with continuing to assist my current clients, I look forward to meeting our members and helping guide them toward financial success.” A graduate of Stanton High School and Bismarck State College, Retterath joins the Capital Credit Union team from Wagner Financial Services in Bismarck. He and his wife, Carly, live in Mandan with their daughter, Lauren.
 
CEO Opportunity in SD
Sisseton Wahpeton Federal Credit Union, located in Agency Village, South Dakota, is currently in search of a President/CEO. The credit union has $6 million in assets and is serving over 1,300 members.  Working together with the board of directors, the initial responsibility for the incoming executive will be to lead a team that can propel the credit union forward. Additionally, this individual will implement sound operational procedures at the credit union, develop a strategic plan forward, establish and maintain sound relationships with auditors and regulators, and develop a relationship based on trust and transparency with the board of directors. The candidate will have a strong foundation in analyzing and interpreting financial data and have a proven ability to lead people.  Please email resumes to Stephanie Sievers at [email protected].
 
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.
 
FREE Webinar: Employer Practices, Rights & Obligations
With changes in today's workplace, employers must exercise caution with staffing and HR practices. Join special guest attorney and founder of The McCalmon Group, Jack McCalmon, Esq. and TruStage Sr. Risk Consultant, Brianda Rojas-Levering on November 15 at 1:00 p.m. (CT) to discuss how to appropriately address employer risks, rights & obligations. Jack is an attorney, founder of The McCalmon Group, and a frequent speaker on employment practice issues focused on best practice methods for preventing employment practice litigation. He has been featured in USA Today, The New York Times and other national publications on workplace litigation trends. If there is a specific question you would like addressed simply submit with registration – which can be found here. You can also sign up to get an email link to the recording here.
 
WYCUP Scholarships for Emerging Leaders
The World Young Credit Union Professional Network (WYCUP), a network of the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU), opened the annual WYCUP scholarship on November 6 for two exciting opportunities to advance leadership skills for emerging leaders in the credit union space during 2024. 

The 2024 scholarship will award up to six credit union professionals, who are 40 years of age and younger, the opportunity to choose between two all-expense paid education and networking events. Up to three scholars will join WYCUP at the Confederation of Caribbean Credit Unions Convention (CCCU) in St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean to discuss sustainable growth and development. Up to three scholars will join WYCUP at the World Credit Union Conference (WCUC) for joint WYCUP and Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) events in Boston, MA, USA from July 21-24 to learn, network and engage with the largest gathering of credit union professionals in the world.  

The scholarship portal will close on December 15, 2023. Scholarship winners will be announced in January 2024. To learn more about the WYCUP scholarships, please visit wycup.org.

Credit Unions United Chapter Food Drive
The Credit Unions United Chapter has organized a food drive. Now through November 17, donations may be dropped off at any of the following Minot area credit unions: Affinity First FCU; Aspire CU; Minot Area Schools FCU; North Star Community CU; Town & Country. Canned goods and non-perishables, household paper supplies, and toiletries are all needed.
 
Credit Unions United Chapter Meeting
The Credit Unions United Chapter is hosting a meeting on Tuesday, November 14, at Sleep Inn – 2400 10th St. SW, Minot. Meet at 6:00 p.m. for social with heavy appetizers followed by a self-defense class starting at 6:30 p.m. presented by Spectrum Fitness. To make your credit union reservation, please contact Jennifer Jerauld at Town and Country Credit Union 701-420-6762 or [email protected].  
 
Red River Chapter “Friendsgiving”
Join the Red River Chapter for a “Friendsgiving” celebration on Thursday, November 16, at Wild Terra Cider Bar located at 6 12th St. N, Fargo. Social begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner catered by Spitfire. A food drive contest is being held for The Emergency Food Pantry, and the credit union that receives the most donations will win $250 to the charity of their choice. Kindly RSVP to [email protected] by November 9.
 
MonDak Roundtable in Las Vegas.
Join us for the MonDak Roundtable being held January 17-18, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada! MonDak is an amazing educational opportunity for senior management, CEOs, and volunteer board members to collaborate and share ideas as they are guided by a professional lineup of top industry thought leaders. This year, we are pleased to include credit union leaders from Minnesota, as well as our friends from Montana, for this high-level educational and networking opportunity. Register by November 22 to take advantage of best pricing and visit the event page for more details.
 
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 an award-winning 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; complete 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! 

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