Dakota CU News & Notes

Time to start planning for Youth Month in April! Plus, Highmark CU has an opening for Chief Lending Officer in Rapid City! 

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.
 
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.
 
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 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! RSVP to [email protected].
 
Credit Unions United Chapter Meeting Planned
The Credit Unions United Chapter will meet on Tuesday, March 14 at Carnegie Center, 105 2nd Avenue SE, Minot. (Please park on the street.) Doors open at 6:00 p.m.; 6:30 p.m. - Dinner – Happy Joe’s Pizza; and 7:00 p.m. program – Amy Kleinschmit – BSA Training. To make your credit union reservation, please contact Jennifer Jerauld at Town and Country Credit Union 701-420-6762 or [email protected] no later than March 9. 2023. This year, all attendees at regular meetings (February, March, April, May, and September, will be entered in a drawing to win $200 plus we will donate an additional $200 to the charity of their choosing. The winner will be announced at the Halloween Social in October.
 
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!