Dakota CU News & Notes

​Multiple career opportunities in the Dakotas, a CEO opportunity in Montana; and be sure to check here for your upcoming chapter events. 

Attention South Dakota CUs: Update on CUNA-NAFCU Merger Planned in Sioux Falls.
Service First FCU in Sioux Falls, SD is hosting a “Meet & Greet” event at their 3901 E 10th Street location on Wednesday, October 25th starting at 9:00 a.m. (CT). Special guest will be Christopher Morris from CUNA. We will provide an update on the proposed CUNA-NAFCU merger, as well as an open roundtable discussion and Q&A session. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP here.
 
Minot Women Connect Hosting Leadership Symposium.
Rianne Kuhn, Marketing Communications Coordinator for Aspire CU, and current Chair of Minot Women Connect, would like to invite area credit union professionals to join her on October 3, when Minot Women Connect and Minot Area Chamber EDC are bringing a new half-day event focused on public leadership development to Minot. The event will be hosted at Minot State University in collaboration with the Women's Public Leadership Network (WPLN) out of Washington D.C. The symposium will feature statewide and federal officials who are representing women in public leadership at different levels throughout the state of North Dakota. Hear from high-ranking government officials, state-wide leadership, and strong female voices on how they navigated their careers to become leaders within their industries and in the state of North Dakota. All Minot Women Connect events are open to both women and men. Registration is open on the Minot Chamber EDC website. The Women in Leadership event will run 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Lunch will be served during the opening keynote speaker starting at noon. Space is limited!
 
Dakota Plains FCU Seeking Loan Officer 
Dakota Plains Federal Credit Union is looking for a driven individual to fill the position of Loan Officer our Pierre branch. Experience underwriting in business and consumer loans is required. We offer a competitive salary and benefit package in an enjoyable environment. To take advantage of this exciting opportunity, stop by our Pierre branch, located at 1525 North Garfield Ave, or contact Rick LaBrie at 605-224-4844.
 
Community CU Seeking Lending Officer 
Would you like to join a team where the philosophy is People Helping People? Making a difference in your life and others every day by providing financial opportunities to the members of Community Credit Union? Community Credit Union has an opening for a full-time Lending Officer in the Carrington branch office. The successful candidate will be a team player, member service oriented, professional in approach and possess excellent oral communication skills. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package including health insurance, 401K, paid holidays, and vacation days. To apply, please submit your resume to: Community Credit Union, 20 1st St N, New Rockford, ND 58356 or email [email protected].
 
WCCU Seeking Next CEO
Due to an upcoming retirement, WCCU is seeking a forward-thinking, community-oriented, service focused leader as its next President/Chief Executive Officer. The selected board appointed 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. The CEO will be responsible for successful and continued growth of WCCU while providing effective leadership, oversight, and development of employees. Additional duties include analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of all operations, leading change where necessary and advancing organizational leadership and culture. Click here for more information. 
 
CEO Opportunity in Montana 
Family First Federal Credit Union is seeking a new President/CEO for its nearly $20 million organization. The successful candidate needs to be passionate about helping those in our community access affordable products and services to improve their financial future, be a leader who can work with and motivate a team of four employees, be a manager of multiple projects and deadlines, be diligent in working with the board of directors to implement our strategic plan, be willing to personally do the job in every aspect of the credit union’s operations, and be open to continuing to learn and build their knowledge of the credit union industry. This position is responsible for planning, directing, and controlling all credit union activities and operations, in accordance with the credit union's plans, policies, directives, and activities as established by the board of directors. Download and read the complete job posting for more details. Compensation: $60,000 to $70,000 depending on qualifications plus 401K, health/vision/dental insurance, paid personal leave, life and long-term disability insurance
To Apply: For more information or to apply, submit a cover letter and resume to Scott Smith, Board Chair at [email protected]. Closing Date: October 31.
  
Levo Seeking VP of Information Systems 
Levo FCU is now seeking a Vice President of Information Systems. In this role, you will assess current processes, recommend software and hardware upgrades, and plan future initiatives. You must also manage and optimize data to support long-term strategies. You will be expected to understand corporate goals and operational infrastructure and facilitate the design and implementation of Levo’s Business Intelligence Initiatives.
 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include: Maintain a working knowledge of the credit union industry, including challenges and opportunities; Participate in planning for multi-year efforts, design process, technology strategy, and roadmap to address current and future needs; Lead and support the IT and Systems and Data teams while collaborating with various stakeholders on priority projects and IT security initiatives; Other duties as outlined in the full job description. Being a part of Levo means being a part of an organization where people matter – not just their money. What we do daily makes a difference in the lives of others and the community we love: offering financial tools and services that fit modern life, providing expert advice, and listening and helping members chart their next step. 
 
Bachelor's degree in a related field and 8-10 years of related experience and training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Ideally, qualified individuals should meet the degree requirements and have (8) eight or more years of combined successful experience in business intelligence, systems knowledge, and data strategies. Apply Here. Questions? Contact Ashley Paulson, Human Resources Manager. 
 
Central Chapter Meeting
The South Dakota Central Chapter has scheduled their meeting for Tuesday, September 19 at 6:00 p.m. Meet at Scoreboard; we will be ordering off the menu. Special guest speaker will be Ashley Kingdon-Reese and the topic will be Stress Management & Motivation. Please RSVP to Shelby at Dakota Rail Line FCU by Tuesday, September 12.
 
North Central Chapter September Meeting
The North Central Chapter meeting will be held on September 26, at the VFW located at 314 3rd Ave NE, Devils Lake. Join your peers for President’s Night with DakCU President/CEO Jeff Olson. Social hour begins at 5:00 p.m. with dinner at 6 and meeting to follow. The evening meal will include roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, salad, and pumpkin bars for dessert. Kindly RSVP no later than 4:00 p.m. on September 20, by phone or email at [email protected] or 701-922-6278.
 
Red River Chapter Meeting
The Red River Chapter will meet on Thursday, September 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the Front Street Taproom – Cellar Room, located at 614 Main Ave, Fargo, ND 58103. Dinner will be Rhombus Guys Pizza and Beer for just $10.00 per person. Special guest will be Jeff Olson, President/CEO of Dakota Credit Union Association. Kindly RSVP to Kori at [email protected].
 
Maurie C. Byrne October Chapter Meeting
The Maurie C. Byrne chapter has scheduled their meeting for Tuesday, October 3, at the Spud Jr. Prohibition Room, 302 Demers Ave, East Grand Forks. Social begins at 6:00 p.m. with dinner to follow. Menu is taco bar and the price will be $16.50 per person.  Speaker will be Nanci Wilson with an Empathy Mapping Exercise. Please RSVP to Kenzie Vodden with Med Park Credit Union at 701-780-5733 with the number of people attending by Monday, September 25th.
 
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, design-bundle purchases, and a store of branded memorabilia to support credit unions in their celebration planning. Mark your calendars now!
 
SalesCU Training
Due to popular demand, additional workshop 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 for 2023 and 2024 available here or contact George McDonald, Chief Officer of Strategic Services at 701.250.3942.
 
Leadership Development – Scholarships Available  
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!