Legislative Update with Jay Kruse

​Jay is heading to Bismarck today for an in-person meeting with Senator Cramer.  Plus, our Summit Auction fundraiser is going virtual so all DakCU members can participate this year! 

by Jay Kruse, Chief Advocacy Officer

It’s hard to believe it’s finally spring and the Summit is less than a month away!  There’s no better way to get out of the winter funk than with warm weather, a golf tournament, and finally being able to get together with your credit union friends!  This week, Amy and I are fortunate to be able to head North to meet with some North Dakota members along with an in-person meeting with Senator Kevin Cramer.  We are looking forward to a very productive meeting with the Senator who is a member of the Senate Banking Committee and a recent cosponsor of the SAFE Banking Act.
 
The SAFE Banking Act (the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act) was just reintroduced with bipartisan support and would create a “safe harbor” to protect credit unions from federal prosecution if they choose to work with marijuana-related businesses (MRBs) and ancillary companies in states were medical or recreational marijuana has been made legal.  While we do not take a stance on the legality of marijuana, we do believe this legislation is vital to keeping cash off the streets and our local communities safe.
 
Summit Auction Fundraiser Going Virtual!
 
In conjunction with the Summit, our 2021 Summit Hike the Hill Scholarship Fundraiser is also just around the corner and this year we have made a few minor changes.  First, the fundraiser has gone virtual!  To accomplish this, we have engaged an online fundraising platform called ClickBid to help us manage this year’s fundraising event.  Now, you can participate from anywhere in the Dakotas on your smart phone or any internet connected device! 
 
We are also very excited to expand our fundraiser to include not just those attending the Summit in person, but those of you who won’t be able to join us this year.  You will have the opportunity to bid on donated items in a silent auction or buy raffle tickets for the opportunity to win gift cards.  Proceeds from both will still benefit our Hike the Hill Scholarship fund.  To register all you have to do is: Text DakCU to 56651 or Visit https://dakcu.cbo.io.
 
Can Your Credit Union Help? Donations Needed Now!
 
In each of the past several years, our fundraiser has generated approximately $5,000 in revenue.  The funds are then used to provide financial assistance scholarships to DakCU members from North and South Dakota who attend the CUNA GAC Conference and other meetings, such as Fall Legislative and Regulatory Hike the Hill events.  Since 2008, 75 individual scholarships have been awarded for a total of $54,000!
 
Here is where you can help: We are asking each credit union to donate items for the silent auction and/or gift card raffle.  To maintain our current level of assistance scholarships, we are asking that these items have a minimum retail value of $75 to $100 (or more).
 
Here are some suggestions for popular auction items:
 

• Weekend, Skiing, or Hotel Packages or Certificates
• Art
• Wine packages
• Golf Items
• Sporting Events Packages
• Fishing Equipment
• Restaurant Gift Cards 
• Retail Gift Cards
• Prepaid Gift Cards
• Camping and Outdoor Items
• Jewelry or Watches
• Tech Items
• Cookware/Grilling Accessories

 
To effectively promote our fundraiser, we will be publishing the list of prizes prior to the start of the Summit.  Kindly submit your donation on our ClickBid interactive site, where after approval it will then appear with all donated items.  Since it is virtual – even if no one from your credit union is able to attend, we still welcome donations!  If you need assistance or have any questions be sure to reach out to me, Jay Kruse, at 701-250-3928.
 
If you are attending the Summit, please bring your prize donation with you for display.  If that is not possible, we will contact you after the Summit to help deliver your donation to its winner.  To participate in the auction or raffle, all bidders must be an employee or volunteer of a DakCU affiliated credit union and must be 21 years of age or older to win items which include alcohol.  Individuals need not be present to win; your item will be delivered to your credit union’s main branch after the Summit.
 
We are looking forward to another successful Summit Hike the Hill fundraiser! Additional fundraising information can be found here on our website.
 
Thank you for your support, and be sure to contact me with any questions.